09/07/07 New training

Just about every other farm or ranch magazine and newspaper has an article about training horses a new way. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with some thought on that training. About twenty years ago in our part of the country we started hearing about a new way to train horses. We just heard bits and pieces about clinics to demonstrate these new gentler ways to train young horses. These methods had been in use earlier in different areas but we were a little slow getting the message. As I said at first, there were a few clinics then there were a few videos and then there were a bunch of clinics, videos and articles. New horse trainers came from everywhere, each with a little different idea to present and I believe they all have some merit. I think any day I can get on my horse in the morning and stay there all day only getting off when I want is a good day. I am impressed with the knowledge these trainers have gathered about a horse's body language and what it means and how to put a young horse at ease, but I think it needs to be incorporated with a person's own way of handling horses and not just a copycat imitation. Now I see articles about low stress handling of cattle and this is another good practice to study and implement. I only have one worry and that is what will we do for entertainment? It seems to me if someone doesn't take a wild ride on a horse or get run up the corral by an upset cow, the day may be a little boring. I just hope I've done my homework well enough so I'm not the one providing that enjoyment. I'm Jeff Keane.