Dorothy Coomer

Lessons, Kids Programs, Training, & Colt Starting

Dorothy Coomer is a talented horsewoman with more than a decade of experience training and teaching. Her horsemanship journey began when she acquired her first horse at the age of eight. Everyone told her “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” To which she responded, “Ghost [her horse] may be 22, but he’s not a dog.” And with that view, along with some Parelli videos and instruction, she learned how to communicate with horses; and yes, she taught Ghost many new tricks.

At the age of twelve, Dorothy began immersing herself in Natural Horsemanship, becoming a student of the Tom Dorrance style. Living on her family's Eastern Oregon ranch, she found every excuse to be with her horses.

By the time she turned sixteen, Dorothy was heavily involved in the local 4-H Horse program. Through her involvement, she gained a well-rounded knowledge of horse care, management, conformation, judging, competition and equitation. The summer of her sixteenth birthday she was awarded a scholarship to study and intern with noted horsewoman and mentor, Alice Trindle. Through Alice’s guidance, Dorothy began working with difficult horses, as well as starting colts and refining her own horsemanship skills.  

Dorothy enrolled at the University of Montana Western in 2007, where she completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Horsemanship with a minor in business management, graduating in 2010. From college, she returned to the Baker Valley in Oregon, where she continued to teach horsemanship as well as take in horses for training.

Her true passion, teaching children about and with horses, continued to flourish as the Baker County 4-H Equestrian Team coach. Over her six year involvement with the team, first as a member and then as coach, BCET competed successfully at both the State and National levels in Horse Judging, Hippology, Horse Bowl and Public Speaking.   

In 2012, Dorothy decided to take the leap and make her passion for horses and children her career. Four months in the Idaho wilderness, guiding trail rides and teaching horsemanship camps at Deadwood Outfitters gave her yet another view of the world of horses. Dorothy joined NWNHC in November of 2012 as a horsemanship instructor, trainer and educational program developer. Her emphasis is basic safety and horse handling, with respect for western traditions and an understanding of horses and their nature. She eagerly shares her love and understanding of horses with children of all ages through her frank, friendly style and practical approach. Dorothy’s goals as a trainer and instructor are “to help you find the best in yourself and in your horse, by teaching horsemanship from the ground up and training horses from the inside out.”