HBFCNH CO-FOUNDER & NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP PROFESSIONAL

Dan has over 44 years of experience with horses. Dan began his Horsemanship Journey at the age of 17, when his then girlfriend, took him horseback riding at a local farm in Abbotstown, Pennsylvania.  During the next few years, trail riding became Dan & Christa’s primary activity, often riding several times a week.  Eventually they rode out of a barn in Hanover, Pennsylvania, that bordered Codorus State Park, occasionally assisting and leading the farms trail rides through the Park.

Dan & Christa were married in 1983. Throughout the years, Dan & Christa rode out of various barns throughout York and Lancaster Counties in South Central Pennsylvania. However school and careers seemed to limit the amount of time spent with horses. There love of horses never dwindled, however the dream of owning a farm and horses seemed out of reach.

A week-long vacation in May 1992, to a Guest Ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona, once again saw Dan & Christa ask to assist trail rides for guests. “There were three or four rides a day at the ranch.  We rode on every one!” Dan exclaims.  This vacation sparked a dream that a farm and horses could be possible.

Hollyberry Farm was founded in 1994. During 1996, two horses were added.  A trailer was purchased in 1997 and once again Dan & Christa were riding at Codorus State Park, the place it all began.

During the period from 1996 to 2004, several additional horses were added and Dan & Christa explored various methods of Horsemanship. Dan had a knack for helping so called “lazy” horses become motivated & so called “crazy” horses become calmer.  It seemed that horses trust Dan & he had a calming way of helping them become partners. Dan loves to have his horses help him with farm work, every chance he could, and they also trail rode many, many miles around the area for fun and enjoyment.

Dan’s horse, Mr. Big Shot, died suddenly in early 2004. A new partner, a young “green broke” horse was added during July 2004.  It was during this period that Dan realized how much he didn’t know about horses.  After several months of really struggling to just get along with his new partner, Dan & Christa found Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

Dan & Christa have and continue to take many clinics, workshops, & lessons with Parelli Instructors both locally and at the Florida and Colorado Campuses. Through Parelli, Dan discovered how to communicate with horses and how to have a true partnership that exists of love, language, and leadership in equal doses. Dan states “The Journey has been life changing”

Dan became a Natural Horsemanship Professional Instructor in 2012, leaving a successful 30 year career as a Certified Public Accountant, and has never looked back. Since then, Dan travels the country teaching students the lessons, he has learned.  And much like Dan found the way to communicate with his horse Gandalf the Grey, Dan empowers students to live there dreams’ with horses.

Beyond teaching students, Dan has used his expertise to

• Volunteer at therapeutic riding facilities, teaching instructors, volunteers, & horses how to communicate naturally.
• Volunteer at the local ASPCA Equine Program helping to restart troubled & neglected horses.
• Teaches, demonstrates, & lectures to local 4H groups, local High Schools, and Horse Event Days providing participants a glimpse of Natural Horsemanship.
• Provides job shadowing opportunities for those interested in exploring careers in the equine industry.
• On staff with Parelli Natural Horsemanship from 2012 to 2016 , providing assistance across the country at Tour Stops, Expos, and The Annual Savvy Summit in Pagosa Springs Colorado.
• Assists Instructors during Expos, Clinics, and Workshops as a way of providing support for colleagues and opportunities to learn varying teaching styles.
• Riding/playing with horses for those owners needing additional assistance or providing exercise where horse owners currently have physical limitations.
• Helps teach owners how to trailer load horses and fix trailer loading issues of horses.

Dan has added several additional partners to his herd over the years. Each partner has given Dan additional insight into horse behavior and psychology.  Currently, Dan plays and/or rides his Arabian Gelding – Major Majik, Quarter Horse Gelding – Hickory’s Renegade, Quarter Horse Mare – Star, Quarter Horse Gelding – Junior, Rocky Mountain Mare – Lady K, Quarter Horse Gelding – Gandalf the Grey, and Bay Pony Mare, Ginger.

In addition to horse behavior and psychology, learned through his time with Parelli, Dan has an interest and concentrations in liberty and liberty demonstrations, trailer loading, gaited horses, and ranch work. Dan has competed, with no less than top 2 finishes, in trail obstacle challenge rides, throughout the region.

In addition to horses and horse activities, Dan enjoys playing guitar, keyboard, base, & Native American flute, mounted archery, horse camping, traveling, bowling, and watching movies. Dan lives with his wife Christa, their 10 Horses, Nubian Goats, Chickens, and Dog Freddie,  at Hollyberry Farm in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania.