From wild to mild

I’ve had the pleasure of taking many wild horses from wild to mild. I was their first touch, I placed their first halter on their face, taught them about captivity all the way up to showing them how to be good citizens when riding. This is the most time consuming way of training but the most rewarding knowing they are the product of your knowledge, if you don’t have the tools and the know-how they can’t progress. I believe it takes a year this way to go from wild to mild and have a well rounded horse with an emphasis on NOT RUSHING them and matching their learning pace with your teaching pace. We’ve all seen or know those trainers that throw a saddle on within a month of obtaining a wild horse. Sure they got them riding but I prefer my foundation solid and not filled with holes like Swiss cheese. Riding isn’t about riding. It’s about communication and patience. Some days I strive to ride but the horse isn’t 100% there so, to avoid an issue we just do review on the ground. Horses have bad days and good days just like us but with short, successful training sessions you will achieve your solid foundation and a willing and steady partner you can trust because he, in turn trusts you. He knows you understand him. “Patience, understanding and a sense of humor go a long way” -Dave Tate (a close and beloved friend of mine said these words to me and I’ll forever remember them). Pictured is my horse Sebastian. He was wild, and heard headed but with patience, understanding and sense of humor we now have a bond and trust that is irreplaceable. It’s a great feeling well deserved by both parties.