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My name is Shelly Richardson, and I'm the owner/manager of Sunny Acres Ranch.

From the time I could walk and talk as a small child, I was totally in love with all things equine.   My first pony was a naughty little Shetland who thought it was great fun to open his paddock gate and go graze on City Hall's front lawn a couple of blocks away.  I think the Mayor had our phone number memorized!  I had a Welsh pony mare later on, and she was my best friend until my family made a move across several states.  After the move, horses were not a part of my life for several years, but I always knew eventually I would have another horse again.

I purchased my first horse (as an adult) in 1998, and began pursuing Natural Horsemanship techniques in 1999.   I have studied several natural horsemanship clinicians, and worked my way through the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program to become a student of Level 3.  I credit all of my success in the program with having such a great partner and teacher – my 14-year-old Arabian gelding, Beau.  In this picture, we are practicing our riding skills with a  cherokee bridle.

In 2003, one of my horses began to exhibit some behavioral problems like bucking when being ridden, becoming cranky when groomed, hard to catch, and pacing the fence line - even when he should have been eating!  Needless to say, he was also losing weight as well. 

My research for answers as to why my horse’s personality had dramatically changed
led me to Dynamite Nutritional Supplements. Through the guidance of qualified professionals, we discovered that my horse was suffering from an ulcer and some mineral and vitamin deficiencies.  He also had ribs out of place that were causing him pain when being ridden.  With a few body adjustments and correct nutrition, these “behavioral” problems went away.

The change in Coelho was my main reason for becoming a Dynamite distributor in 2004.  Coelho is back to being his spunky and friendly self again, and people are usually surprised when I tell them that he is 17 years old now.  Most people think he looks half his age!

 

I have always been a hands-on horse owner, and need to know "why" a certain method or nutrition program is better than another.   I taught myself to trim my horse's feet using barefoot trimming methods, assisted a Certified Equine Dentist several times, and in the past year I have taken in more than 65 rescues for rehabilitation and boarding. 

In June 2006, I attended a 3-day seminar on equine reflexology, nutrition, and energy balancing.  The class taught techniques to test horses for possible mineral/vitamin deficiencies, and exercises to train the horse’s muscles to collect and strengthen more naturally. Through this seminar, it was confirmed to me what I have suspected for a long time....most of the time when a horse exhibits a behavioral problem, there is usually an underlying physical problem that may be either causing or contributing to it.  I completed the Apprentice program in April, 2007, and became Level 1 Certified in Equine Bio-Energy Analysis Technique. 

I live in the beautiful Yakima Valley with 9 horses, a Basset Hound, and 6 cats.
I plan to never be without a horse in my life again!

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