When I first started running the LOPE racehorse adoption ranch, I felt very unqualified for the job. Unlike most people who work with ex-racehorses, I wasn’t a professional trainer or equestrian competitor. I had only learned to ride as an adult -- and wasn’t exactly the most naturally talented at it.
I was always searching for the right horsemanship mentors and techniques, hoping to improve my skills and ease my often nervous riding style. There were so many clinicians, trainers and disciplines to choose from! I watched many DVDs, audited numerous clinics and took lessons from an array of teachers.
One day, I watched a Ray Hunt DVD. Although I couldn’t quite say why, I knew immediately that this was the type of horsemanship I wanted to learn. I could see how the horses responded to Ray -- even if I didn’t always understand what he was doing so effectively with his legs, seat and hands.
There was nothing flashy or glamorous about the DVD -- just Ray working with each horse, doing whatever it took to get a change, whatever it took to give the horse what he needed.
Since watching that DVD, I’ve slowly tried to learn more about this kind of horsemanship, to improve myself and my presentation to the horses here. I’ve made progress, but still have a long way to go. As Ray would say, "I might not know where I’m going, but I’m sure not lost."
One thing I’ve learned for certain though is that ex-racehorses will nearly always meet me half way -- as long as I keep working on myself instead of working on them.
If you’d like more information on this type of horsemanship, please visit our horsemanship DVD page. And if you’d like to learn more about my personal journey with LOPE and horsemanship, please visit the Beyond the Homestretch book site.
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