Ashley May, Assistant Trainer II

Ashley has been an Assistant Trainer at Via Nova since 2023, moving to New Mexico from Dell Rapids, SD. From a young age, she knew she would work with animals, originally planning to attend vet school. A minor quarter-life crisis and a shift of focus led her down the path of horse training and straight to Via Nova.

Ashley’s advocacy for Positive Reinforcement often takes her on the road to teach others. With a passion for knowledge and a love of teaching, she happily spreads the word of Via Nova’s mission, hoping only to inspire others as much as she has been herself. Her work is primarily focused on equine well-being, consent, choice, and control, as well as training, husbandry, and veterinary procedures. She especially loves working with feral and fearful horses.

Though not born into a “horsey family,” Ashley developed a love for horses that continued through childhood and college. Her journey began at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, where she double-majored in Equine Science and Equine Business Management. Her experiences provided a well-rounded foundation. Inspired during a summer internship at the Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, her work with rescues and feral horses motivated her to further develop expertise in equine-centric training methods.

Ashley also has a passion for drawing, painting, and learning of all kinds. Ask anyone who knows her, and they’ll tell you about her love of books, collecting them, reading them, and the adventure brought by each new book. Her love of animals extends further than horses, and she shares her time away from work with her English Springer Spaniel, Atticus.

Her passion for R+ evolved naturally from her love of horses and desire for knowledge. She is driven to continue her development by a strong belief in the beautiful connection between horse and trainer, and to view that dynamic through a new lens.