Testimonials
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You guys are the best. |
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I first met Laura and Trish from Cedar Springs a few years ago, when my daughter Tamara was looking for a new "best friend". They were just so warm and friendly, and in no time at all, Tam had met and fallen in love with her beautiful black Dmitri. Fast forward about 3 years… A lot had happened- my husband had left us, Tam left home, and then I remarried, to a lovely man who loves animals as much as I do. We moved from Victoria to Queensland, followed by Tam and her fiancé. I organised to have my little Arabian mare, Monet, trucked up the following week, but it all fell apart in the worst way, and I was a long, long way from her.A girl I knew wanted Monet, but had no money, so we agreed on a free lease, as it was as much a help to me as her- let's face it, I didn't want to part with Monet, my "Bella". It all seemed fine for a few months, but one day when I sent a text to ask how it was going, I was told that my friend had moved back to Melbourne, and Monet was left alone. I decided that Monet deserved much better, and that I would just have to sell her, as she needed a good home and people who would be there for her… but when I asked friends to check on her, I was told that someone wanted to buy her! It dragged out for weeks, then I started hearing that Monet couldn't be caught; she was not able to be handled; nothing could be done with her. The guy who had wanted to buy her now started telling me that she was no good, that I should get rid of her, that no-one would take a horse like her on! I was devastated! I just couldn't stop crying and wondering what had happened to my 'sweet, sooky little girl', and I decided she was coming home, even if I had to walk her here! Not very sensible, I know, but if your horse is as good a mate as little Monet is… well… you understand… It was at that point that I thought of Laura, and how kind and gentle she is with emotionally wounded horses. If anyone could help, she could! I felt bad, as I had nothing to offer in return, but I poured out my heart in a desperate plea for help. The answer came back so incredibly fast I couldn't take it in! Laura offered her own time, and property, to fetch my little girl from miles away, take her to her own home, and care for her while I got the money together to have her trucked up! She even organised the trucking, as I was fearful and hesitant after our last attempt! Laura liaised with the owner of the paddock where Monet was agisted, and organised to collect her. It all sounded incredible! The day before Laura collected Monet, I received a phone call from the property owner, telling me that about a dozen people had turned up with a float, and tried to load Monet! Apparently they tried for nearly an hour, before he found them and sent them away! It was the people who had been telling me how bad and difficult Monet was! The next day Laura loaded Monet, and rang me straight away to let me know. It seems that after the attempt the day before, Monet took one look at the float and just lay down, as if she just wanted to die. It took about an hour of coaxing and patience, before she decided to stand up and load. Monet is now home, safe and loved- she recognised my voice straight away, and was a dream to handle! She arrived dusty, tired and timid, but well- cared for and safe. Laura, what can I say? This is a lady, and a group, that lives every day, what they believe. They don't just talk the talk; they walk the walk and are willing to give freely, to care for a frightened, abandoned little mare, and a frantic, desperate owner, two thousand miles away. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. If it hadn't been for your willingness to get involved, I wouldn't have my little girl today, and she would very likely have disappeared without a trace. Cedar Springs doesn't just rehabilitate and re-home Standard bred horses; they reach out and help any horse in need, in any way they can. To you guys at Cedar Springs, all I can say is "any time... any way… if I can help or be involved even from up here, call me. You guys are the best." Deb, Queensland
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The work of Cedars Springs Horses is to be applauded for giving one of God’s friendliest creatures a second chance at life. |
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On Saturday I did something that I have never done before – I cantered to the top of a very steep hill and reached a lookout where green valleys and the city could be spotted in the distance. To some this may appear nothing out of the ordinary. However, to me, with a showjumping background where horses are wrapped in cotton wool, cantering at the rate of knots up a steep hill with another horse would be unheard of unless you were on a death wish. All this was possible due to one very little horse with one very big personality. Her name is Nicki and she is a 4 yo standard bred mare who Laura of Cedars Springs Horses rescued from a meat truck bound for human consumption by the Japanese. As a vegetarian and an animal welfare supporter, this disturbed me greatly. Nicki came to me approximately six weeks ago, after I emailed Laura and advised her that I was looking for a quiet horse purely for pleasure riding. Laura called me not long after and told me the story of Nicki, then named Bell. The next day my family and I went to see Bell, and the rest is history. In between buying Nicki and having her arrive at her privileged new home in the hills, my grandpa Nick passed away, and my family and I decided to name my new horse after him. Nicki still has a lot to learn, but she, unlike a lot of others, has been provided with an opportunity to do this with the assistance of Cedars Springs Horses. The work of Cedars Springs Horses is to be applauded for giving one of God’s friendliest creatures a second chance at life. I only wish that I had enough land to be able to contribute to the rehabilitation of these horses in some way, rather than sit in a mundane office doing nothing more useful than making corporations more money whilst thousands of animals nationwide are suffering. However, my Nicki, like all the other horses in these testimonials who have found loving family homes, now has a second chance, and it is only through supporting animal rescue organisations such as Cedars Springs Horses that this can continue. Louisa and 'Nicki' - Victoria
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I want to thank Cedar Springs and, in particular, Laura, for all her help and honesty. |
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When I brought Claire home from Cedar Springs a couple of months ago I cried. Claire was my second horse. My first horse was a thoroughbred mare that I purchased from a friend. This so-called friend sold me a nightmare! I grew up always dreaming of owning my very own horse and one day I was given the opportunity to buy one. My friend worked for a racehorse trainer and he had a mare that was too slow for the track. She told me what a wonderful temperament this mare had and how much potential she had. My friend was fully aware that I could ride but had never actually owned a horse before. I was naïve and as soon as I saw this horse I wanted it! That was my biggest mistake that I ever made. I persisted for over a year with this horse. I don’t even know how I lasted that long. It was commonplace for my horse to bite me, kick me when doing up her rugs and double barrel me against a fence or any other object for that matter. When I told my friend about her behaviour she just laughed and said “yeah, she used to do that to me too!” Some friend. In the end I could not handle her by myself and I was afraid of her. I saw all these other people with their horses having a great time and I just wished it could be me. The day she left for her new life as a broodmare I actually cried, in a silly way I loved that horse. As a result my confidence with horses had completely gone. However, there was just something inside me that I couldn’t get rid of…I’d got the horsy bug. But where to get my next horse from, how could I ever trust another person’s word about a horse when I couldn’t even trust my own friend? It was then I went searching on the web, and stumbled across the Cedar Springs website. I read through all wonderful stories of horses that had been saved from certain death and all the testimonials, surely I thought, this many people couldn’t be wrong! I contacted Cedar Springs and told them of my plight. I checked the website on a daily basis searching for my new friend. Not long after, I saw Claire’s picture on the website. She seemed exactly what I was after. A week later I was at Cedar Springs riding around on Claire. Her temperament and bombproof ground manners were exactly what I was looking for to help re-build my confidence with horses. I must admit I didn’t know much about Standard bred horses and thought they had big ugly heads and were no good for riding. How wrong I was! This is a wonderful breed and now I wouldn’t have any other breed of horse. Their temperament is second to none. I urge anyone looking for a horse to look at a Standie first, you will not be disappointed. I want to thank Cedar Springs and, in particular, Laura, for all her help and honesty. They do an awesome job. Claire and I have bonded well and she is slowly helping to rebuild my confidence in horses. It’s nice to have a horse that actually enjoys being with me. Now I know what all these horsy people are smiling about, because I am smiling too. Renee and “Claire”
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It is heartening to know that horses like Honey are being saved and finding suitable homes. |
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I contacted Laura from CSH when I was looking for a quiet, but willing, sensible, and good natured older horse for pleaseure/trail riding. Laura described Honey, a 16 Year Old Standardbred mare. She sounded lovely, so I decided to buy her 'sight unseen'. When she arrived she was thin, but was drenched and had her teeth done at CSH before her arrival, and within a few weeks, had filled out. Honey has the most beautiful temperament, very kind and affectionate, easy to manage , very willing and great in traffic. She's learns what is wanted of her very quickly. She's also very good looking (looks half her age), strong and healthy. Laura described her perfectly, even how she snorts when she is unsure of things, but never does anything wrong. She's is exactly what I wanted! She's so docile to handle , but has plenty of spirit when she goes for gallops around the paddock. If she is an example of Standardbreds, I couldn't recommend them more highly. CSH offered great follow-up advice and support. The horses are so reasonably priced and it is heartening to know that horses like Honey are being saved and finding suitable homes. Thank you Laura and the team at CSH. Freda - Phillip Island
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If you are looking for that very special friend, don't go past Cedar Springs! |
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For months, I had been talking about getting a horse, and that's when I came across the Cedar Springs Horses Website on the net, so I wrote to them. They were so quick with their reply it was unbelievable! The next week, I was down at the stables looking at 'Tess', and when I first met her, it was like "Oh my God, she is beautiful!" I felt so much for her straight away! I have since brought Tess home and she is just the smartest, most beautiful girl that I have ever met. She is my Angel and will be 'forever loved!' I would really like to thank Laura for her kind and caring nature, as she was so helpful with everything that she did, and does such a great job with Cedar. She was more of a friend than anything else. Thanks Laura! I will always recommend CSH to anyone. If you are looking for that very special friend, don't go past Cedar Springs! Keep up the good work guys! Thanks again! Janelle, Victoria.
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I couldn't be happier with my decision to adopt my horse 'Will' from Cedar Springs. |
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I couldn't be happier with my decision to adopt my horse 'Will' from Cedar Springs. He is the sweetest horse that I have ever met! I think that the guys at CSH do a really great job of selecting horses that make great rides, have the potential to go on with, or for re-education into another discipline. At first, I thought that I would just 'hack' with Will, because of his bombproof personality, but now we have gone back to basics and he is coming along really well, with a very soft rein and leg signals. I was also really grateful to Laura for being available to give advice anytime I called. Will has settled in like a dream. He's just so happy, and so am I! I knew that as soon as I saw him on the CSH website that we would fall in love! I think that it is really important to be able to provide a good home for a horse that has not really had any quality of life. Will is only four and his life was lived between the box and the track before CSH rescued him, and gave him the training that would allow me to take him home and ride him on the same day! My poor baby didn't even know what a 'treat' was when he first came home! Now he can sniff out licorice or a bread roll at 100 metres! Thank you so much Cedar Springs! Geire - Victoria
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Thank you Laura and Trish for saving such wonderful animals from an uncertain future. |
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My husband Peter and I decided a few months ago to look around for a horse for him, (after the sale of his young, green horse) so we started searching the papers. After seeing an article about Cedar Springs Horses, we firstly dismissed it, as there was no way that we wanted a Standardbred Horse (unfortunately we were a little misinformed when it came to this breed.) A few days went by and Peter decided to get in touch with CSH and go and have a look at what they had. We met Laura who is the loveliest and most helpful person that you could meet, and although we didn't know her at the time, we felt as though we could trust her in all that she had said. Peter rode 'Kip' and was so impressed we brought him home. Kip was gorgeous with the most wonderful personality. (I fell in love with him too!) The horse I had was also very young and green and due to me having a huge confidence problem, I decided to ring Laura too. After some time, Laura found me 'Dargo'. Although I am still very nervous as he is new, Dargo has settled in well and we are getting to know eachother. I intend to do some trail riding but will also take him to adult riding club and do some jumping and dressage. I know that Standardbreds are a lovely breed with great temperaments, and you can do anything with them, from trail riding, dressage, eventing, showjumping or western. Thankyou Laura and Trish for saving such wonderful animals from an uncertain future. I would thoroughly recommend Cedar Springs Horses to my friends and anyone else! Michelle Boyd - Kilmore
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Thanks for finding my match! |
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Bomber (my new Standardbred gelding) is a great horse to ride western, and he loves his curb and western bridle. He is great to ride because he is just so willing! I am so glad that I've finally found the horse that I was meant for! I think finding Bomber was the easiest time of horse dealings that I have ever had. The place was near, the horses were wonderful, and Laura was the most helpful person that we have ever known. After years of trying to find the right horse, I find the right one just by looking at an add on the web, and a 2 - 3 hour visit. I recommend anyone looking for a great horse to call Cedar Springs Horses and I know that if any of my family want a horse, we wont be looking anywhere else. Thanks for finding my match!! Cedars Springs Horses Fan, Cathryn, Victoria
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Thank you Laura, you have given my life a tremendous boost. |
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When I left QLD 5 1/2 years ago, I thought that I would never really own another horse, let alone a Standardbred! But then I met Laura who introduced me to "Cynda" (formally known as Holly). I have had some gorgeous horse in my life, but Cynda...WOW..she's absoloutely beautiful in every way. Over the last few years I had lost alot of nerve with horses, nerves in which Cynda has gotten rid of for me. She gives nothing but 100% all the time. She's patient, gentle and seems to know that we are learning all over again. When we go out riding, she is a real "sticky-beak", loves everything around her and always has her ears pricked forward. Over the years, the opinion that I have heard of Standardbred horses hasn't been that great from other people...and I'm no saint, I too would have never normally bought one..until I met Cynda. All I was interested in was having a nice pleasure horse to will away the 'everyday problems' with a great ride. I certainly now get that with Cynda. The first horse I now personally recommend is a "Standie", you just cannot beat thier great, willing and giving attitude. Laura does an amazing job and does justice to the horse world by saving these beautiful horses and placing them in compatible homes, where they will get the love and attention that they deserve. Thank you Laura, you have given my life a tremendous boost, so keep up the terrific work that you do. Judi & Cynda - Berwick
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I cannot recommend Laura's horses (and Standardbreds in particular) highly enough. |
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Finding myself "horse-less" for the first time in my life, I was nonetheless determined to look long and hard to find a confidence inspiring true "all rounder." A horses with enough looks to show for fun, enough sense to take anywhere, and enough ability to be able to handle a decent jump. And of course, a horse that I could have some fun with, something that had been lacking in my riding for some time. The first horses I looked at was Jake, a Standardbred from Cedar Springs Horses. And with that, the search that I thought would take so long was over! Jake is EXACTLY what I wanted, and I am really rediscovering how much fun riding can be. Laura portrayed Jake exactly as he is, so I wasted no time at looking at unsuitable horses. He has settled in at home wonderfully, and gets along with everyone, even the dogs I have now added to the paddock a very kind young Standardbred, Gusty (also from Cedar Springs Horses) who has turned out to be just as little trouble as Jake. They are both so easy to do everything with, and are truley a joy to have around. I cannot recommend Laura's horses (and Standardbreds in particular) highly enough. Susan Campbell- Victoria
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Thank God there are compassionate people out there like Laura, that sees the beauty in these horses. |
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I have just had the pleasure of purchasing my first Standardbred Pacer named Jasper. I have bred and shown horses of all breeds most of my life and he is one of the sweetest, intelligent, willing and trusting horse's I have ever met. He was taken straight from the race track to saddle, and was being ridden within less than half an hour of backing him. The beauty of an ex racer is that the hard work has already been done. All leg aids and mouthing have been established and played a major part of their every day training. He is totally unspoilt and has no vices or bad riding habits, making him a perfect sound horse for any novice or experienced rider. Standardbreds are known for their sweet and hardy natures and will go all day without complaint. I could tell Jasper loved the transition from racing to being ridden and took every new lesson in his stride. I hadn't ridden in 4 years, but the confidence he gave me, through his trust in me, ensured that we are going to have a lot of enjoyment as we grow and learn together. To think Jasper may have ended up at a knackery because he wasn't fast enough is senseless and inhumane. Thank God there are compassionate people out there like Laura, that sees the beauty in these horses. Trish - Victoria
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They are really giving something back to the horse world. |
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When I began my search for another horse, I contacted Laura from Cedar Springs Horses. I found her to be very thorough in assessing my needs and establishing exactly which horse would suit both me and my family. The mare she chose to show me was exactly what I had been looking for and we brought her home straight away. Since then, Kelly has become very much a part of our family, and the kids love sitting on her back! I would recommend this service to anyone. Not only are Cedar Springs Horses a very comfortable group to deal with, they are really giving something back to the horse world! Simone - Victoria
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Cedar Springs Horses will always have my unfailing support. |
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I’ve just been looking back through my diary and can say with a smile that I have been the proud owner of Sebastian aka “The Big Guy” for about a month now. Arriving at Cedar Springs on that bitingly cold and windy day one month ago will always be a special memory for me as that was the day I met my brand new baby Sebastian – and finally got to put a lovely face to Laura’s name. When I made the decision to buy another horse I went through the usual ordeal of looking at advertisements, driving for hours to see the horse, inevitably being disappointed then doing it all again the following weekend. When I finally stumbled across the Cedar Springs website I really felt that it was meant to be. For a long time I had wanted to do something constructive to help some of the poor horses that end up being part of the horrible disposal mentality of the racing industry, but it all seemed so overwhelming. Laura and her team of fantastic volunteers have successfully made this seemingly insurmountable problem just that little bit easier to tackle. After looking through all the wonderful success stories about rescued racers, I decided that there was no other place I wanted to buy a horse from, and several emails and phone calls later I was on the road to Whittlesea to look at Sebastian for the first time. Laura was so warm and friendly and a genuine pleasure to deal with, and at no time did I feel like I was being “sold” a horse which made the experience so much more relaxing – so much so that I bought Sebastian that day! Since arriving at our farm the little guy has blossomed – he’s already put on more weight and he is bonding well with the other horses. To see him cavorting around in his paddock and rolling in the sun has to be one of the loveliest sights a horse owner can have. It brings me to tears to think of what Sebastian’s fate would have been had he not met the team from Cedar Springs – I’m just happy I could do my little bit to help. I will certainly buy another horsey friend from Cedar Springs in the future and continue to tell everyone about what a marvelous job this organization does. Many, many thanks again to Laura and to Cedar Springs for everything – you will always have my unfailing support. Best wishes, Eliza (and Sebastian) NSW |
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C.S.H, Laura and Bobby have made my dreams come true. |
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My mum and I had been watching Bobby’s (Story), a 19 year old TB who came to C.S.H in poor condition, on the web site and we couldn't help but think how beautiful he was. We had even said to each other that whoever adopted Bobby would be very lucky! Then one afternoon my Dad said "Look Siobhann, Bobby is up for sale today." My Mum and I though that a sweet looking horse like Bobby would have already found a new home, but we sent an e-mail anyway. After speaking with Laura, we were pleased to hear that Bobby was amazingly still up for adoption. We bought Bobby sight unseen and still cannot believe our luck. Ever since I was six I dreamed of having a horse, but I never thought I would have my very own. Bobby is so beautiful and way better than I ever dreamed he could be. Thank you so much for giving us a chance with Bobby, he will always have a good, safe home with us. Not only is he beautiful on the outside, he has a beautiful personality. He is so cheeky, affectionate and loving, but never naughty! He is easy to control when I am riding, grooming and feeding him too. He is the perfect first horse. I love him so much! My mum will be looking for a horse for herself soon and she said that her first stop will be C.S.H. We know that Laura and her team will be able to match us with another wonderful horse. C.S.H, Laura and Bobby have made my dreams come true. Siobhann O'Brien, (age 13), Victoria |
* phone numbers for testimonials are available upon request
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