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| About Us  Steven Duchac is a John Lyons Certified Trainer, and spent a year at Lyons' training facility in Parachute, Colorado. He has also sudied Pat Parelli's methods through Level 4. Both these schools of natural horsemanship have contributed to his uniquely effective way of handling horses on the ground and under saddle. With good groundwork, he teaches horses to be respectful of their handler’s space, to politely and quietly lead and stand, to move forward, backward, and laterally, and to confidently go over and through obstacles without crowding. With skill and timing gained through years of experience, he can quickly turn the most explos ive horse into a respecful citizen, and teach the most nervous and reluctant of individuals to walk onto a trailer calmly and confidently. The techniques he uses in the round pen reinforce the same principles, and eventually enable him to control all parts of a horse's body, even when the horse is at liberty. The work Steven does in hand and in the round pen transfers under saddle, making the horse far more safe, respectful, supple, and manuverable than it would otherwise be. He is excellent at correcting problems like rearing, refusing to go forward, running off, excessive spooking, bucking, etc. But more than anything, he enjoys making a horse easier to ride and handle, and more fun to work with. Like Steven, Anne's focus is usually on making horses more "rideable." This may mean putting miles on a young horse, or making a more schooled one softer in the mouth or lighter off the leg. Over twenty years, she has taken advantage of every op portunity to ride all types of horses, and to learn about as many disciplines as possible. She started out showing hunters, then became interested in jumpers and eventing, and now specializes in dressage. Besides the breeds common to these disciplines, she has ridden and worked with Arabs and Half-Arabs, Fresians, Morgans, gaited horses, Quarter horses, draught crosses, and many others. She also worked on a cattle farm and turned several adopted mustangs into working ranch horses. Through her diverse experience , she has found that all truly nice horses share the qualities of softness, attentiveness, throughness, and mental and physical engagement. Anne has taught lessons and trained professionally since the age of seventeen, and her motivation is to see the smile on a student's face when they have a moment of improved and effective communication with their horse. Although she very much enjoys training and competing her own horses and recently earned the scores for her USDF bronze medal, she is an especially gifted teacher. Her students include advanced Pony Clubbers, adults who have finally realized the life-long dream of owning a horse, and people who need to rebuild confidence after a bad experience or injury. She is especially proud to see her dressage students competing successfully and moving up the levels. Regardless of the natural talent of the horse or rider, she makes the effort to show them how to improve the way they work together. Much of that depends upon the rider's ability to control his body and use it in the most effective way, so she makes sure to focus on good equitation, body positioning, and timing of the aids. Together, Steven and Anne can help a huge range of horses and riders. Their top priority is to make sure that everyone they work with becomes safer, more effecive, and has fun with their horse.
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| What our Clients Have to Say: "Almost three years ago, at age 60 and never having ridden before, I purchased my first horse, a quarter horse gelding named Topper. Topper had some significant behavior problems such as being spooky, nervous, and bucking. As much as I loved him, I did not have Topper’s respect, nor did I know how to earn it. After being bucked off twice and having very little success at solving this issue, I was given an ultimatum: find someone that could help us or return Topper to his previous owner. Returning him was unacceptable to me, so I contacted Steven Duchac of Lynn’D Farms in Ocala. During our first session, Steven did basic groundwork with Topper to help him learn to control his emotions (and his body) when frightened, and above all, not to buck. He then made sure I could reinforce this work during the following week. The second visit, Steven observed me riding Topper and the question became whether or not Topper and I belonged together. It also became apparent that I needed to spend more time with Steven at his farm, and it was there that I met Anne. Topper’s mornings began with an intense training session with Steven working on Topper’s nervousness and oversensitivity, and Steven showing me the approach and techniques he used. He was as firm as necessary, but always fair. Then it was my turn with Anne. Being an older rider, Anne knew she had to rely on different techniques and explanations to help me ride better. Our lessons helped me with my riding skill and with my confidence. I knew that in order for Topper and I to get the full benefit of our long weekend, I would have to continue this training at home. And that is exactly what I have done. With the continuing help of Steven and Anne, Topper and I have a mutual respect on the ground, and we are getting that under saddle. Topper and I belong together and we are looking forward to many years of safe riding.” Judy Smout
Clearwater, Florida 
Barbara Richardson with her horse Peter, happy after a good workout. “With their knowledge of my ability level and 'wish list' for a horse, Anne and Steve helped me find my wonderful young horse, Dani. They started Dani in training at their farm, and have worked with us regularly since then. I would not have had the confidence to train a green horse without their assistance.” Cindy Nelson
Fernandina Beach, FL | | “We found my daughter Macy's first pony in a rundown dairy farm in Christmas, Florida. He was only slightly trained but he had a great bold, unflappable attitude which I loved. He would not canter for us, he was that lazy. His big spook was a snort. I loved him. Being a fairly decent rider myself I decided to tackle his training. I mean, how hard can it be right? Six weeks later, Cody-the-pony is well-fed and sassy. He tries to bite us occasionally, will not lead worth a hoot if grass or clover is within sight, his ground manners are horrendous, and we can hardly get him to canter 3 strides in a row.  Lesson #1: Just because you are an ambitious mother and a fairly decent rider does not mean you can train a pony. This boy needed to be started over and I did not have a clue. Enter Anne and Steve. Since Cody could hardly canter, much less jump, at this point we decided to enter the strange new world of dressage. Most of the first lesson with Anne was spent on correcting Cody’s rude ground manners. To my surprise, the more he respected us on the ground the better he was under saddle. Steve taught us how to take control of him on the ground and we slowly learned the tools we needed to train him. He taught us a lot about the mentality of horses. Steve and Anne were the first trainers to help us believe that Macy and Cody could be a successful pair. They taught us how to reach him. Cody was tough, but he had met his match in my daughter. We were hungry for information and for the skills we needed to train Cody between lessons. Anne and Steve were with us, and still are, every step of the way. Most of the first lesson with Anne was spent on correcting Cody’s rude ground manners. To my surprise, the more he respected us on the ground the better he was under saddle. Steve taught us how to take control of him on the ground and we slowly learned the tools we needed to train him. He taught us a lot about the mentality of horses. Steve and Anne were the first trainers, and there were many, who saw the potential in Cody. They taught us how to reach him. Cody was tough, but he had met his match in my daughter. We were hungry for information and for the skills we needed to train Cody between lessons. Anne and Steve were with us, and still are, every step of the way. Two years later, our green, stubborn, ornery little guy is now training first level dressage. He clocks around a hunter course like a pro, and loves to gallop cross country with his little girl. He is very well-behaved. My daughter, now ten, does everything with him herself. It’s been a year since I have had to step in and help her. She is well equipped to correct him for any misdeeds; Cody is after all still a pony. His nickname is Mr. Wonderful and he is truly special. Anne and Steve taught us how to be trainers, but more importantly they took a determined eight-year-old very seriously and taught us both how to overcome any obstacle a smart pony might throw our way. Macey has a wall of blue ribbons to show for all her hard work. She is just beginning her journey with Cody. With Anne and Steve behind them, it is going to be exciting to see how far this cute pair goes!” Christy Kaczorowski
Jacksonville, Florida | |
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