It has been pretty interesting so far as I have watched just over a thousand horses run. I have seen good horsemanship and I’ve seen really bad horsemanship. I have seen forgiving riders and just the opposite. It reminds me that competition can bring out our worst characteristics, sometimes. It has been good for me to be here if nothing else to remind me to be careful to keep principle before purpose.

Many years ago I became a barrel horse fanatic when I found out that it was possible to win money racing horses. I have always been competitive and speed horses seemed to fit me well. For a long time all I did was learn everything I could about barrel horses. This means everything, from feed to shoeing to all that goes into making a nice barrel horse.

A situation came about after I had been running horses around 15 years. I knew that I still was not the horseman that I wanted to be and as the saying goes when the student is ready the master will appear. I had the chance to attend a Wanda Bush barrel clinic and Pat Parreli was also coming to town. I went to the Parreli tour stop and was converted to becoming natural. I did not go to the Wanda Bush clinic, but instead started on a completely different path. In case you don’t know Wanda was a World Champion and also was competitive at barrel racing futurities.  

One of the signs of a natural horseman is never put purpose before principle. A natural horseman should always put the welfare of the horse first. The horse is one of our creator’s finest gifts to us. Shouldn’t we always try to see things as our horse sees them and then decide what action is appropriate?

For me the journey has been a little tough at times as I have been quick to criticize and slow to encourage. But for those of us that persevere success will come. I do things different now. Positive reinforcement comes quickly and I try not to criticize.

Since my natural horsemanship journey began I have not done much barrel racing. It’s been over eleven years since I have been serious about winning money but I’m ready to get back to it .  To the best of my knowledge, this part of the horse world does not know much about doing things naturally. I think every horse here would like their owners to try and see things from their point of view.

We all have a purpose in this world, and I know we feel good when we find that purpose and start to take care of business. The passion that I have for horses was given to me and although many horses have had to put up with a lot helping me to learn I don’t want to waste their sacrifice. I’m looking forward to the next leg of my journey.

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