About Us
Amy Nichols is a USEA Certified Eventing Coach (Level 3) and USEF "R" Eventing Judge. She is currently working on her FEI Eventing Judging License. Amy has successfully competed and produced students through the 3* Level of eventing and on Young Rider teams with top finishes nationally and regionally. She has received instruction from top riders and trainers including Peter Atkins, Amy Barrington, Chris Bartle, Carol Bishop, Chris Burton, Clayton Fredericks, Beth Perkins, Heath Ryan and others, and she continues her education by attending riding and teaching clinics and teaching symposia throughout the year.
Geoff is an amateur rider having competed through Preliminary eventing. In addition to riding Geoff spends time on the tractor and mower keeping the farm looking it's best. Geoff is emeritus professor and coordinator of the Sustainable Agriculture Program at Clemson University.
Horse Boarding
We work hard each day to create a safe and friendly environment for you and your horse (and have been doing so for over 20 years). We know that maintaining a consistent horse management program is key for horses to feel comfortable and secure in their surroundings. Our horses are provided with free-choice high quality fescue hay, Triple Crown feeds and full-service care including supplements, blanketing, medications and specialized care if needed. We maintain our pastures using regenerative agriculture practices including rotational grazing, overseeding and application of manure to improve soil and grass quality. Pesticides and herbicides are never applied to pastures.
Horses are happier outdoors, and ours are kept outside on pasture 24/7 except during inclement weather when they are brought inside. They also come in morning and evening for feeding when they are visually checked by staff. Our excellent staff love horses and SHF and it shows in the quality of care they provide. Our farm veterinarian is Dr. Keith Stafford and farrier is Mr. Bill Mathis. Equine dentist Dr. Michael Lowder comes to the farm every 6 months. Equine chiropractors, acupuncturists and saddle fitters are scheduled as needed.
Rider Instruction and Horse Training
With a lifetime of experience, Amy Nichols teaching focus is on developing horse and rider biomechanics utilizing the German Training Scale as well as improving rider skills to achieve their goals. Of paramount importance is to promote relaxation in the horse and correct reaching contact. When learning to jump, students will do exercises to practice getting the horse supple, straight and to correctly turn the horse to a fence. Amy's students range from those who want to move safely up the competition levels to those who don't necessarily have competition goals but want to become better riders. Each student's program is personalized according to their skill level, horse experience and capabilities, and the riders' short and long term goals. We welcome ship-in lessons in addition to resident lessons.
SHF Featured Horse
Our experience with Pierre has been a lesson in patience and persistence. Pierre is an 18 year old Thoroughbred/Paint cross we purchased 6 years ago for Geoff to event. His training was coming along nicely when he developed periodic lameness which our vets determined was from soft tissue damage on his right front foot. Upon recommendation we took him to Dr. Carol Gillis in Aiken who is a leading expert on equine tendon and ligament problems. She has developed an ultrasound technique whereby she is able to get clear images of soft tissue through the hoof wall (much cheaper than having an MRI done). Based on the level of soft tissue injury Dr. Gillis recommended lengthy stall rest along with daily hand walking and grazing. Periodic ultrasound exams were done to assess healing progress, and when inflammation was reduced sufficiently we were able to bring him back into light work. After over two years of lenghty rehab (yes,really!), he is now sound and back in full work. It was a long process but Pierre is worth it (look at that face!).