By Julie Magruder
This past weekend, I took Ty, my 17-year-old half-Arabian, to our qualification test for the Volunteer Sherriff’s Posse. This was our last step to becoming full-fledged members. The course is relatively simple, but some horses moved around when their owners were mounting, shied when needing to walk over a narrow bridge or didn’t want to back out of a U-shape made out of PVC poles in a relatively straight line.
When we were practicing, a seasoned member of the posse came up to me and said, “Your horse looks like you take care of him very well.”
To which I replied, “Thank you, I try my best.”
She then said, “He’s doing well; he is smart about things.”
I agreed and smiled.
I have been following Clinton since what I think was his first tour in Tampa, Florida. I came home after that weekend with my new halter and lead, as well as a stick and string. I was intent on teaching Ty how to be a respectful and willing partner. Since that tour stop, I have attended two three-day clinics as a participant, have been to other tour stops and have watched Clinton compete in two Road to the Horse competitions. In addition to all of that, I read the newsletters and watch many of Clinton’s training sessions on YouTube.
Why am I telling you all this? Well, I strongly believe without following Clinton and the Method all of these years, Ty and I would have never accomplished my goal of getting us in to the posse. I have had Ty since he was 3, and before I found Clinton, I honestly thought several times Ty was going to act like just enough of a nutcase to kill me or harm us both. Now, many years later and always the student, I get complimented ALL the time about how nice Ty is, what a great trail horse he is and what a solid mind he has … AND he’s an Arab, and we all know how people are about Arabs. Trust me, it isn’t his age that makes him so great or docile, because he has plenty of energy, it’s his attitude and both of us knowing what to do if an interesting situation comes up while we are riding.
Thank you Clinton and DUH … you and the Method continue to make owning and riding Ty a dream!
Have a story you want to share about you and your horse’s partnership that’s possible because of the Method? Share it with us at [email protected].
