Dr. Robert M. Miller interview with clinician, trainer, and 2009 Road To The Horse winner, Richard Winters.

This year, Light Hands Horsemanship™ welcomes this acclaimed clinician, trainer, and owner of Richard Winters Horsemanship at The Thacher School (www.thacher.org). Richard is also the 2009 winner of Road To The Horse (an award designated for a colt-starting competition).  It’s an honor to have someone as accomplished as Richard be a part of the weekend.  We caught up with him to find out a bit more about what “lightness” means to him.

Q.  What made you decide to participate in the 2010 Light Hands clinics?

A.  I just knew that if people like Dr. Miller, Eitan, Rick Lamb, and the other clinicians were involved, it would be incredible. My wife Cheryl and I have wanted to attend for three years, but we’ve always had scheduling conflicts.  When I saw a DVD from a previous year, what struck me was the camaraderie between clinicians.  None of the clinics are doubled up, so you don’t miss anything- it has the feel of building, and establishing, a family.  It’s smaller, more intimate, and for the serious horseman and true students of horsemanship.  There’s a difference between horseback riding and horsemanship.

Q.  Meaning..?

A.  Horseback riding is just not falling off!  Horsemanship is for the individual willing to invest in themselves, so they can learn what their horse already knows.  Anyone can become a horseman, but you’ve got to put in the time.  Horses by nature want to get along with us, but they’re horses- they can’t understand us.  Therefore, we need to come to their level.

Q.  How did you get involved with horses?

A.  I’ve worked with them for over 30 years, but I didn’t grow up with them. I thought about working with them from an early age, so starting in grade school, I began riding my bike out to local stables, and began working as a “stable brat.” In high school, I began working with my mentor (as well as Pat Parelli’s): the late Troy Henry, of Clovis, California.

Q.  What does “lightness” mean to you?

A.  It’s a very subjective term, depending upon a person’s agenda and discipline. For me, it’s about engaging my horse in a conversation; the psychology of horsemanship. At Light Hands, I’ll be teaching a colt-starting clinic that focuses on how light hands begins on the ground, the first time you put a saddle on him. It progresses with each step- the first time you climb on his back, the first time you ask him to make a turn, etc. It’s all a part of that conversation you need to have going with your horse. 
For more information, go to www.wintersranch.com.