About Us

David & Donnell Boyd - Horse haven at bear creek - proprietors

The Boyd’s have been animal lovers all of their lives. In 2006, David left the corporate world and purchased Doggy Haven Resort. Donnell fell in love with the ranch next door, and when it went on the market 2 years later, she left her corporate job and joined David on the ‘business-end’ of taking care of other people’s four-legged family members. It is not unusual to see Donnell out in the barn mucking a stall or two or David loving on a current Doggy Haven lodger. “We are so grateful to be blessed with the gift of getting to be around and help care for these wonderful and amazing creatures.”

robyn Smith - Equine Life SOlutions - facility director/instructor

Connecting Humans with Horses. Raised in and around Seattle, Robyn has been involved with horses and ponies since 1969. Riding rodeo games on QH/TB crosses (including bareback barrel racing) as a teenager in Okanogan exposed her to the Western Discipline of riding while developing the extreme balance needed to compete at such challenging sports. More recently, Robyn has ridden Endurance, Competitive Trail, and Dressage.

Robyn’s deep appreciation and respect for horses led her to Natural Horsemanship, which she views as the most comprehensive way of communicating and being with horses. As a Registered Nurse with a background in anatomy and physiology, Robyn emphasizes the importance of balanced riding through Natural Horsemanship training.

Robyn's philosophy is simple: "No matter what saddle you put on your horse, or what style of riding you choose, Natural Horsemanship is the foundation training. Relationship building in groundwork and riding a balanced, independent seat create a willing, interactive equine partner."

Robyn has successfully rescued, fostered, and adopted more than 25 horses and placed each animal into a loving home that appreciates Natural Horsemanship as a life-long journey. Robyn's favorite saying is "The horses have been my greatest teachers and will grade my performance in the end.”

Robyn is an experienced and active trail rider.

Nate Jensen – Caretaker

Nate and his wife Mary worked together for several years managing a thoroughbred breeding facility. Leaving the facility where they had worked for so long was difficult, but the sale of the property which necessitated their leaving was our good fortune.

Nate and Mary come to us with over 25 years experience caring for the well-being of horses. While Nate’s main job is to care for all of the day-to-day needs of the horses and property, he is always ready to lend a hand to client, Vet or Farrier with a smile. This has earned him the nick-name ‘Nate the Great’. I don’t think there are horses anywhere sleeping in as clean a barn as Nate keeps.

Mary is now working at Doggy Haven full-time, and is the resident ‘cookie queen’ keeping everyone’s sweet tooth completely satisfied.

Michelle Melton – Assistant Instructor

Michelle has been with Robyn since 2006 and has grown into a Natural Horsewoman in her own right. She was instrumental in the start-up venture of Equine Life Solutions and Horse Haven at Bear Creek. Michelle’s patient instruction has started many students on their journey of horsemanship and she also assists intermediate to advanced students working through special obstacles.

Michelle enjoys that special bond with her equine partner, Ginger, that Natural Horsemanship brings. Michelle has helped Ginger work through many trust issues and she is now a willing partner to most anything Michelle asks of her. Michelle is an accomplished trail rider and also assists Robyn with her Trail Training program.

Hillary King – Assistant Instructor

Hillary has been with Robyn for over three years. She is a pre-med student at the University of Washington and an accomplished rider. What little free time Hillary has is spent with her two horses, Chanel and Magic, and helping out at the barn a couple days a week. She loves kids and was a natural to assist Robyn with the children’s lesson program, pony parties and summer day camps. We are grateful to have such a dedicated and reliable person on our team!