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By
some mistake of fate, Cynthia Hackett was not born in the
"olden" days of the horse. She did not have the
fortune to be born into a wealthy family, with resources to support
formal equine education, nor was she lucky enough to be born into a
horse-oriented family. Cynthia was however blessed to have
lived a life exposed to many of the unsung horsemen of their day. She
wrestled with neighbor’s rogue ponies as a child, spent summers
away from home mucking stalls in order to ride only the rankest
horses in the barn. After high school, she lived on a
breeding/training farm and learned that young horses and teased mares
sometimes walk better on two legs than four. She bounced babies out
to the field behind their dams, handled mare, stud and last
year’s foals during breeding, (not at the same time)
assisted in "pulling" babies into the world, and had the
occasion to stand by some old timers in their last moments.
On
April 7 2011 Cynthia Hackett and the rest of the horse world lost a
dear friend, the renounded reining horse trainer, Horse breeder, and
clinician, Jay
Mele. Cynthia Hackett was
truly blessed to have known Jay since her arrival in the Adirondacks
in 2001. In was in the Spring of 2010 that Ms. Hackett became aware
that her friend and mentor had begun to suffer from some serious
health concerns. It was her honor and privilage to put asside her
work to help her friend. As anyone who knew Jay would agree, he
didn't ask for help a person had to assert oneself to render it.
Jay's condition improved some, with some TLC. Jay knew all the
while he knew his time was short. The cowboy talked plainly about
wanting to pass on what he knew. He shared all he could in his last
months, passing down wisdom the had learned from his mentor Ray Hunt.
He spoke of "hands", and how you either have 'em or you
don't and the "touch". According to him Cynthia had both.
It was his confidence in her that kept her going running back and
forth from home many times a day. And it was that same
confidence he had in her that carries her through today. Cowboy
slid from his horse and slipped away from this earth that day in
April but not before he passed on many of his lessons.Cynthia
will
endeavour to continue in Cowboy's tradition and share his lessons to
all who will hear. And as Cowboy was quick to point out- she will
make a point to keep on learning every day.Thank you John Dominick
Mele III. You are in our hearts. Many a horseman will mutter under
their breath for years to come...WWJD....What would Jay Do?
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From Track to Trails
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Cynthia
prepared foals and yearlings for sale, and started colts for the
track. She has administered daily poultices, treated rain scaled,
ring worm and track injuries. In her twenties she managed a hack barn
and retrained horses for trail use. She gave lessons to Girl
Scout Troops and Clinics to
4-H'hers.
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"Black Robin"
APHA Black/Overo
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Cynthia has
managed her own stallion, and started her own foals. She has assisted
in pre-purchase evaluation, and has been a farrier’s
"go-fer" learning the benefits of different shoeing
applications. She currently holds and maintains a riding
instructor’s license issued through Massachusetts (required in
that state). Cynthia has taught at riding academies in two states,
instructed advanced, beginner, toddler, teen and adult. She has
enjoyed seeing her pupils of all levels compete successfully.
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"First Ride"
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Relaxed
& Listening |
Cynthia
finds fulfillment retraining "problem" horses, and finding
them good homes. She has attended clinics and tutorials by John
Lyons, Clint Anderson, Lynn Palm, Monty Roberts and others. Recently
Cynthia and her family moved to Barter Farm in the Adirondacks
of New York, where she is building her freelance
instructor/training business. Since there, she has had fun competing
a little herself, which she would like to pursue some more.
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"Saranac"
Belgian
Cross
PMU Filly |
Cynthia presently
owns a 1997 breeding stock APHA gelding and a 2002 PMU Draft
Cross-Filly rescued from Canada. She is an avid supporter of local
riding clubs and is a member of the APHA. Holistic medicine as it
applies to the equine, has recently entered her field of
study. She continues to learn daily and YES...itrainequine...as
the site implies, and she will travel to you.
In the more
distant future a book is planned.
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