TESTIMONIALS
"Over the past several years Tonya has broken and trained several colts for us. They come back well trained, mannered, and completely willing and calm. Most recently she foaled our mare, that is somewhat unpleasant, with insufficient milk, and saved the colt that would have died without her. She slept in the barn at foaling time, assisted, etc. I've been associated with horses for 70 years and NEVER have found anyone better with the horse than Tonya." - Cliff Trexler
"I moved to Shining Mountain Thoroughbred’s facility for two reasons: Briar Rose and Grania, my horses. It only took me about two visits to talk with Tonya McClusky to realize here was a barn owner/manager that I could trust. She not only listened to me – but more importantly, heard what I was saying.
Briar Rose is 31 and a half years old and requires a special diet – one that means the manager needs to not only order her food – but prepare soaked pellets at each feeding. She also has food and medicine allergies, so it is vitally important that the barn manager be aware and mindful of these at all times. Tonya so closely monitors Rose’s feeding requirements – I no longer worry about if it is being done correctly. She is also quick to notice when feed needs to be increased or cut.
As a true ‘equine senior’, Rose needs to be out in pasture, moving as much as possible but also needs to be with a group of horses that will not bully her as she can not move that quickly to get out of the way. Tonya’s careful selection of horses to put together in a pasture situation is cautious and carefully monitored for the introduction period. I was very pleased with the little grouping that came to be in ‘my pasture.’
Grania (aka Geep) is a racehorse/broodmare rescue. And while I’ve ridden for over 25 years – I was not prepared to deal with a very headstrong, opinionated, green TB mare! Here is where Tonya truly shines, her knowledge, experience and insights into TB behaviour.
Geep had come off the track and became a broodmare (read here: not ridden or handled) for four years. She was no longer wanted after her last foal – and that is when I purchased her. Things started out fine, but come winter and cold weather things went from decent to dangerous quickly. It reached the point of her rearing, striking and walking on her hind legs for 3 or 4 steps at a time on the lunge line. I quickly became too afraid to ride her.
At our initial meetings – I told Tonya all about the problems I was having with Geep and she offered several helpful suggestions before she’d even seen Geep. One big concern was that I couldn’t put weight on her. Tonya suggested some changes to Geep’s feeding routine – and in two months – Geep was filling out nicely and she continues to blossom.
The other problem was Geep’s behaviour under saddle. She would bolt across the arena, leaping in the air and kicking out. I needn’t mention how dangerous this was to me and anyone else who had the misfortune to be in the arena with us. Tonya offered to ride her for me which I gratefully accepted. After her many years of starting and riding young TB’s, Tonya quickly figured out what was going on, and what I needed to do to change the outcome.
Tonya made herself available whenever I was riding Geep and if I had ‘too much’ horse under me on any particular day, Tonya would get on and work Geep for awhile until she was more manageable, and then I’d get back on. Even now that I have a lovely, mostly manageable mare, Tonya is usually in the barn while I ride – which gives me the support I need to occasionally work through a “Geep episode” on my own now.
Geep also unfortunately is one of those mares who has difficult cycles. Tonya suggested I have the vet out to assure there was no infection or cysts on her ovaries. With those issues negated, Tonya helps me to keep track of Geep’s cycles so we know when her painful episodes may be part of a riding problem.
Tonya is so attuned to each horse’s behaviour, she notices and remarks when the stalls have been dirtier or more torn up than usual. She also monitors the horse’s water intake daily as she, bless her heart, does not use automatic waterers. Each stalled horse has two water buckets that are dumped and filled daily and refreshed if needed at dinner feed. The pasture horses have large tank waterers that are topped up each morning.
I travel frequently and used to have to ask my barn friends to keep an eye out on my horses while I was gone and just hope that it all went well. Now I can travel in a relaxed frame of mind, knowing that Tonya not only gives my horses excellent care – but she cares for them. They are not just her job – they are individuals that have likes and dislikes and she prides herself (and justly so) on having a barn full of contented and happy horses.
I am one happy boarder – and anyone can contact me for further testimonial of the level of care Tonya McCluskey gives." - Beth Nyberg
"Over the past several years Tonya has broken and trained several colts for us. They come back well trained, mannered, and completely willing and calm. Most recently she foaled our mare, that is somewhat unpleasant, with insufficient milk, and saved the colt that would have died without her. She slept in the barn at foaling time, assisted, etc. I've been associated with horses for 70 years and NEVER have found anyone better with the horse than Tonya." - Cliff Trexler"I moved to Shining Mountain Thoroughbred’s facility for two reasons: Briar Rose and Grania, my horses. It only took me about two visits to talk with Tonya McClusky to realize here was a barn owner/manager that I could trust. She not only listened to me – but more importantly, heard what I was saying.
Briar Rose is 31 and a half years old and requires a special diet – one that means the manager needs to not only order her food – but prepare soaked pellets at each feeding. She also has food and medicine allergies, so it is vitally important that the barn manager be aware and mindful of these at all times. Tonya so closely monitors Rose’s feeding requirements – I no longer worry about if it is being done correctly. She is also quick to notice when feed needs to be increased or cut.
As a true ‘equine senior’, Rose needs to be out in pasture, moving as much as possible but also needs to be with a group of horses that will not bully her as she can not move that quickly to get out of the way. Tonya’s careful selection of horses to put together in a pasture situation is cautious and carefully monitored for the introduction period. I was very pleased with the little grouping that came to be in ‘my pasture.’
Grania (aka Geep) is a racehorse/broodmare rescue. And while I’ve ridden for over 25 years – I was not prepared to deal with a very headstrong, opinionated, green TB mare! Here is where Tonya truly shines, her knowledge, experience and insights into TB behaviour.
Geep had come off the track and became a broodmare (read here: not ridden or handled) for four years. She was no longer wanted after her last foal – and that is when I purchased her. Things started out fine, but come winter and cold weather things went from decent to dangerous quickly. It reached the point of her rearing, striking and walking on her hind legs for 3 or 4 steps at a time on the lunge line. I quickly became too afraid to ride her.
At our initial meetings – I told Tonya all about the problems I was having with Geep and she offered several helpful suggestions before she’d even seen Geep. One big concern was that I couldn’t put weight on her. Tonya suggested some changes to Geep’s feeding routine – and in two months – Geep was filling out nicely and she continues to blossom.
The other problem was Geep’s behaviour under saddle. She would bolt across the arena, leaping in the air and kicking out. I needn’t mention how dangerous this was to me and anyone else who had the misfortune to be in the arena with us. Tonya offered to ride her for me which I gratefully accepted. After her many years of starting and riding young TB’s, Tonya quickly figured out what was going on, and what I needed to do to change the outcome.
Tonya made herself available whenever I was riding Geep and if I had ‘too much’ horse under me on any particular day, Tonya would get on and work Geep for awhile until she was more manageable, and then I’d get back on. Even now that I have a lovely, mostly manageable mare, Tonya is usually in the barn while I ride – which gives me the support I need to occasionally work through a “Geep episode” on my own now.
Geep also unfortunately is one of those mares who has difficult cycles. Tonya suggested I have the vet out to assure there was no infection or cysts on her ovaries. With those issues negated, Tonya helps me to keep track of Geep’s cycles so we know when her painful episodes may be part of a riding problem.
Tonya is so attuned to each horse’s behaviour, she notices and remarks when the stalls have been dirtier or more torn up than usual. She also monitors the horse’s water intake daily as she, bless her heart, does not use automatic waterers. Each stalled horse has two water buckets that are dumped and filled daily and refreshed if needed at dinner feed. The pasture horses have large tank waterers that are topped up each morning.
I travel frequently and used to have to ask my barn friends to keep an eye out on my horses while I was gone and just hope that it all went well. Now I can travel in a relaxed frame of mind, knowing that Tonya not only gives my horses excellent care – but she cares for them. They are not just her job – they are individuals that have likes and dislikes and she prides herself (and justly so) on having a barn full of contented and happy horses.
I am one happy boarder – and anyone can contact me for further testimonial of the level of care Tonya McCluskey gives." - Beth Nyberg
The owners of all horses boarded at Shining Mountain Thoroughbreds have unlimited access to our 100 by 150 indoor arena. There is also easy access to many mountain and wilderness trails as well as some fairly quiet roads that may also be explored. The indoor arena is also open to the general public for a small fee. Clinicians and groups are welcome.
Bridlorann $5000 - 2005 chestnut Thoroughbred filly standing 16.2 hands and weighing 1175 pounds. This filly is by a son of Unbridled out of a Vigors granddaughter from a very nice winning family. This filly is a gorgeous mover and would be an outstanding race, show or eventing prospect. No vices, but not for beginners. Very smooth, fluid gaits and covers a lot of ground.