JUNE 1997 BACK ISSUE
Part of Horse Previews Magazine website. Posted on 6/1/97; 10:00:00 AM.
Get a Head Start On Summer...
with Wil Howe, true horseman & uniquely versatile Reinsman
Practical & personal might be the two best words to describe how horseman Wil Howe comes across in his ever-popular Horse Training Clinics. Wil shares the true understanding of the responsibilities involved in horse/rider relationships. He likes to put things into the "Proper Perspective" he says, "by shedding light on the `grey areas' and misconceptions of horse psychology." This is the platform upon which he preaches. "Helping people have a more fun, safe and realistic relationship with their mounts." "More people than not, aren't getting the enjoyment from their horses that they should. What I can show them will first of all save their lives, give them a solid foundation for their horsemanship program and teach them how to teach their horse. With that, I'll also show them "what" to teach them. We're all trainers, the minute we touch a horse, right or wrong. My job is to share with people the secrets and the little things that count, which make a real difference in your horse's performance."Wil Howe, of Richland, OR, is a unique mixture of cowboy, horseman, & philosopher, having spent 30 years in close contact with horses, from the cattle range to the competitive world of showing. Although he has specialized in reining cowhorses & cutting horses, he & his wife, Beverly, have trained over 20 different breeds for a variety of events. From this he has acquired a well rounded knowledge, and an appreciation for all horses and what it takes to train them successfully, with a solid, lasting foundation.
Wil has been teaching in clinics since 1983 throughout the west coast, creating a vast following. He was one of the first trainers to share the concepts of Horse Psychology as a foundation and approach to training horses. Because of his generous and caring personality, Wil says he has felt the need to educate people about the true nature of horses and the importance of having complete control of your horse, "not only for safety and enjoyment, but for performance."
With a "down-to-earth" way of teaching, Wil keeps his program simple, useful and in practical laymen's terms. Wil gets to the point with his straightforward approach and puts the "black & white" back into the understanding of horsemanship...logical truth about horses, no mystery, no magic. Wil Howe's Clinics send a message of reality and realism, with methods that apply to all circumstances. Wil shares what he calls "The Rest of the Story", leaving no questions unanswered, explaining the "Proper Perspective."
Here is one uniquely versatile trainer, possessing an uncanny way of knowing how a horse thinks. He shares everything down to the small and specific details on how you too can "read" a horse, allowing for much clearer communication. "All this you can do yourself, and greater!", Wil preaches in his clinics. "You don't have to be born on a horse to get results. You just need to know how they `tick.'
His clinics capsulize Wil's "From Foundation to Finished" Training Program. The clinics start with informative demonstrations and lectures on Horse Psychology, ground work & starting colts.
Through the understanding of Horse Psychology, equine behavior and body language, he shows how to get your horses' undivided attention, by correctly applying his round pen training techniques, rather than "just going through the motions."
The uniqueness of Wil's clinics lies in his "10-steps", a series of "building block" exercises, performed in the snaffle bit, which teach your horse to be supple, responsive and "tuned", on "all four corners", for performance. These steps allow us to maintain a "giving" attitude in our horses, even in the midst of the pressure of competition events or panic situations.
He then goes on to demonstrate the training of horses "Beyond the Snaffle Bit", advancing from a snaffle to a curb and how to put a rein on any horse, most importantly focusing on advanced reining techniques. This phase of finishing training is Wil's specialty, and no other clinician today goes on to teach the details of neck reining in a finished bit.
Wil, a perfectionist in all areas of horsemanship, and his wife & training partner of 20 years, Beverly, make an effective teaching team. With tremendous enthusiasm, they work "hands-on" with both horses and riders, customizing these exercises to apply to all phases of working performance events. Personal attention is given to each student to help them improve their seat, leg aids, hands & timing, and proper, effective use of spurs, without making your horse irritable.
Wil stresses "getting in tune with your horse and getting results!" "Many riders and horses have reached a plateau and are ready to move on. They need direction, and my 10-Step Program can give them that direction." For anyone with a reiner, cutter or pleasure horse they are showing, or have shown, the clinic offers a great "tune-up."
Wil and Beverly are able to teach you how to create a bright new response in horses whose routines have become dull and "hum-drum." Many horses, soured by performance events, leave the clinic with a "new outlook", renewed spirit and zest for competition.
Students learn exercises and techniques to keep the interest level up in their horses and are able to go on with a more "in-depth" knowledge of what level their horse is at.
Many trainers won't share these "inside secrets," keeping their student dependent on them, but at Wil's clinics, they "share it all!"
Starting in 1997, they have expanded their format to a 4-day (Saturday through Tuesday) training clinic, still with a free Friday night demonstration/seminar. This new format allows more time and attention to absorb and apply Wil's important techniques and information. The Howe's create a comfortable atmosphere where riders and spectators alike, can have their questions addressed with practical, useful and relevant answers, rather than "rhymes and riddles" for you to figure out on your own. Riders (limited to 10) spend their time applying the program with one-on-one and group instructions, advancing to their individual potential. For the spectator this is a priceless opportunity to witness Wil's techniques applied on a variety of horses, with impressive and lasting "before & after" results.
From the novice to the professional, Wil's program is an asset to any horseman. For further information or details, contact Roberta Brady at 406/549-4574, or Beverly Howe at 541/893-6535.
More on Wil and Beverly Howe...
Not far from the Snake River, near the Eagle Cap Wilderness area, where the desert meets the mountains in Northeast Oregon, Wil and Beverly now run a small, rustic horse ranch. There, they train and market Wil's well-known, quality performance geldings. In addition, the couple hold week-long School of Fine Horse Training sessions. Specializing in "The Art of Finishing Horses," these schools offer a rare opportunity for the serious horseman to bring their horse and immerse themselves in a week of intensive instruction, in a progressive horsemanship and reinsman course. As well, they continue to travel on a limited basis conducting their horse training clinics.
Wil Howe also offers a select line of his own training tack and custom round pens and his highly-acclaimed "From Foundation to Finished" Training Video series.
