My Journey with Horses
A Lifelong Passion and Dedication
My journey with horses began even before I was born, as my family was deeply ingrained in the equestrian world. This environment provided me with a unique opportunity from an incredibly early age to work with diverse horses, each with their own stories and behaviors. One of my earliest responsibilities was to evaluate and work with these hor
ses to prepare them for resale. This hands-on experience was invaluable, exposing me to the complexities and nuances of horse behavior. Many of these horses had unsuitable behaviors, requiring patience, understanding, and a gentle way to retrain them. From a young age, I took on the challenge of retraining horses and starting colts for clients and my family. Through these experiences, I discovered a profound joy in transforming uncertain horses into confident, willing, and connected partners. This passion became the driving force behind my dedication to horse training. Upon graduating from high school, I enlisted in the Air Force. This decision allowed me to travel extensively and connect with like-minded individuals in the horse community. My military service broadened my horizons and deepened my appreciation for the bond between humans and horses. When my military service concluded, I decided to refocus my efforts on horse training and helping people improve their relationships with their horses. I began exploring various disciplines and trainers to refine my skills. Ultimately, I chose Reining, a highly technical discipline in Western Riding, as my path. Reining allowed me to hone my abilities and create well-balanced horses under saddle. To further my knowledge and expertise, I sought out mentorship and began an internship with Chuck Nesmith. Over the next three and a half years, I immersed myself in the art of colt starting, riding, and training Reining and Working Cow horses. This period of intense learning and practice was instrumental in shaping my approach and philosophy towards horse training. In addition to Reining and Working Cow horses, I also have a background in Barrel Racing. I took the technical skills and principles I learned from Reining and Reined Cow Horse training and applied them to training barrel horses. This approach allowed me to create more balanced, responsive, and agile barrel horses, capable of performing at their best in competitions. Throughout my journey, I noticed a significant gap in the understanding of the human-horse relationship. Many people struggled to interpret their horses' attempts at communication, leading to frustration and disconnect. I made it my mission to bridge this gap by educating people on how to better understand their horses and foster meaningful, connected relationships. By combining my extensive hands-on experience with continuous learning and a deep passion for horses, I have dedicated myself to improving the lives of both horses and their owners. My goal is to empower horse enthusiasts with the knowledge and skills to build trust, confidence, and harmony with their equine partners. Through workshops, training sessions, and one-on-one coaching, I strive to share the insights I have gained over the years. My approach emphasizes empathy, patience, and clear communication, ensuring that both horse and rider can thrive together. In conclusion, my journey with horses has been a lifelong passion and dedication. From my early experiences in the sale barn to my military service and beyond, every step has reinforced my commitment to understanding and enhancing the human-horse relationship. With over 40 years of service to horses and human relationships, it is my hope that by sharing my knowledge and experiences, I can help others achieve a deeper connection with their horses, leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious partnership.
