|
My name is Bob Henry. I've been
associated with horses and horse people all my life.
I've owned a few horses too
but never considered myself to be a horse trainer.
I've owned the same buckskin gelding since he was
a baby but I didn't do his initial training, that
was done by a professional. I've ridden Buck in
many parades including the Rose Parade and used
him for twenty-five years in a famous outdoor play.
The outdoor play involved mounted shooting and large
crowds of people for several weekends each year.
And, of course, we went on many trail rides, too.
A couple of years ago I decided to purchase a horse
to replace "Ole Buck". I found a nice
three year old gelding. I was told that he was extremely
quiet and gentle and that he had many hours of ground
training and could even be ridden with just a halter.
And on top of that he had thirty days under saddle
by a professional trainer. Of course, I purchased
him and couldnít wait to get him home. The first
free weekend I had I decided to ride my new gelding
which I had named, Smokey. I led him out of the
stall and saddled him. He stood quietly like an
old pro. I used a light rope hackamore instead of
a bridle. As I said, I was told that he had been
ridden in just a halter. I rode him out into a twenty
acre pasture and rode on a loose rein all the way
to the end which bordered on a street. I noticed
as I rode out that he was getting a little nervous
and did a lot of looking around along the way. I
just figured it was a new area to him and I didnít
think anything more about it. That is, until he
threw his head up, spun around and took off at a
dead run dislodging my feet from the stirrups in
the process. He headed straight back to the barn.
Unfortunately I lost my balance and fell to the
ground breaking my clavicle bone in the process.
After I healed several weeks
later, I took him on a seven day trail ride. He
seemed fine while in the company of other horses
but would begin bucking if he lost sight of them
or I turned him away. Well, to make a long story
short, I did have another accident on that trip
but that time it wasn't Smokeyís fault. My foot
slipped out of the stirrup as I was mounting and
I fell hard landing on the only rock within twenty
feet of me breaking four of my ribs and puncturing
my lung in the process. A year later I was back
in the saddle again. Of course by now I was a little
scared of "Ole Smokey" and questioning
my own skills, but I justified the last accident
by assuring myself that it wasnít Smokeyís fault
and it could have happened to anyone. Well, it was
time for the play I mentioned to start. I rode Smokey
in the parade associated with the play and used
him in every performance. He was a long way from
perfect but I was feeling more confident, that is
until the last minute of the last act of the final
performance. I had just finished my lines and turned
Smokey to gallop away when he tucked his head and
started bucking hard. I didnít come off but I did
come down really hard on the saddle horn separating
my pelvis. I was now convinced that I owned THE
HORSE FROM HELL!
It took a year to recover from
the accident. Of course, everyone told me to sell
the horse or even give him away before he killed
me; and I have to admit that I was tempted to do
just that! I really didnít know which way to turn
until one day I picked up a horse magazine and read
an advertisement that started out "PROBLEM
HORSE TRAINING". The next bold letters I read
were "I CAN HELP". The ad also contained
an internet address which I immediately brought
up. On the web page I read several letters similar
to the one I am writing now. Every letter was a
testament to the skills and horsemanship of Larry
Jeffery.
Well, I read every one of the
letters then picked up the phone and called Larry.
I explained my problems and made arrangements for
Larry to take Smokey for ninety days. His price
was very reasonable and included board. Larry insisted
that I also spend time and learn his methods so
that I would be able to earn Smokey's respect and
continue his exercises.
Two months went by before I
visited Larryís ranch and began my training. My
training lasted until Larry was satisfied and I
was convinced that I could gain and keep Smokeyís
respect.
We were both ready in about
ninety days. I took Smokey home and guess what?
Yes, it was time for the play again. But this time
I had a plan. I used the techniques that Larry had
taught me and Smokey performed like a veteran. Forty-fives
were blasting away, gun smoke filled the air and
thousands of people were applauding; Smokey was
as cool as a cucumber! He did everything right in
every performance. He was truly the best mannered
horse in the play. I was even accused of tranquilizing
him. Since then Iíve taken him on short trail rides
and Iím planning on taking him on a five day ride
next month.
Believe me when I say I was
ready to give up on myself and my horse before I
read Larry's ad. Larry restored my confidence and
saved my horse! LARRY JEFFERY IS TRULY THE REAL
DEAL! bhenry220@roadrunner.com
|
