When Mike told me one of his training specialties was trail riding I was a little surprised. Then I got to thinking about all the people I know who have sent their horses to trainers to be started. About the only thing we checked into, besides their ability, was weather they taught Western or English. Of course mine went to the Western trainer who also showed in reining (this was pre Fisher). Now I can only wonder how much better my trail horse would have been from the start if he had had some trail time and a lot less arena time. In fact my trainer thought I was a little bit crazy the first time he saw me riding down the road, apparently he thought the only safe place to ride was an arena. I can tell you this: a trail horse doesn't leave Mike's place until he 'does' the pond. 

Mike has that certain something that all the best trainer are born with, it can't be taught. It's a way of communicating, an ability to get the horse to trust him and then willing learn what it is he wants to teach them. Mike enjoys a good buck from a bull (why I don't know) but he doesn't believe that's the way to brake a horse. He knows when the horse is ready to except him on his back and when that time comes: there is no fight. That's the way it should be, don't you think?

Now, it should go without saying that Mike doesn't teach Hunter Seat or Dressage. Can you imagine what his old rodeo buddies would say if they  saw him riding an English saddle wearing tights and a little beanie hat? I sure can imagine what the rest of us around here would say � that is if we could stop laughing long enough to  say anything! Oh, but I digress here, but then, what the heck, people should know they are gonna have to put up with a little ribbing when they allow someone else to create a web site  for them. Or should we just say that Mike is one of the best darn horse trainers around these  parts and let it go at that----------Nah!