07/31/2026
Today is a long read....
A recent conversation with a friend spawned today's discussion. She wanted to forward me a post from a younger male trainer regarding positive reinforcement. I declined the offer, here's why...
I've been doing what I do for decades. I'm good at what I do. I have earned and deserve my "spot". But there's one problem; I'm FEMALE.
It's not a problem for me, in fact, it's an asset, my super-power! But looking back to when I first started taking outside horses it was an issue for others. STILL IS. With few exceptions.
Decades ago, a man called me about taking a horse to start. He said that he had two geldings but was taking the "nicer" c**t to a local male trainer, who only had room for one horse, so I was the "back-up" plan for the lesser gelding. The other trainer, who I knew well, was not a person I would consider taking a horse to for training. But he had the "look", the hat, some swagger and was, well, MALE.
The man dropped off the buckskin c**t at "Bobby's" and the bay c**t at my place.
Ten days later, I called the man and told him to come see his horse. I let him know he was already riding quiet on the trails in a bosal. He acted surprised and then asked me if he could come by today. I said sure, any time. He then went on to explain that the other trainer doesn't allow owners to come see their horses, not even with notice. I responded by telling the man to get in his truck, and drive over there, now, to check on his horse!
A few hours go by, and a truck and trailer pull up in the drive. It's the man, with the buckskin gelding in the trailer. The man explained that he went to see his horse and he was tied, alone, in a way that he felt was abusive. When he got closer, the horse had rub marks from his halter on his face and bleeding sores on his side. He loaded him up and drove to me. I agreed to take the gelding.
Years later the man called me, wanting to let me know how the horses were doing. The bay horse, he explained, is reliable, steady, calm, anyone can ride him. The buckskin is broke, but he is unreliable and sometimes seems to lose his mind for no reason at all. That early abuse was still there....and when stressful situations occurred, occasionally he just couldn't cope.
I saw this pattern over the years and was happy, I suppose, to be "in-the-shadows" like many good female trainers. My fulfillment came from giving a horse a great start. Watching them move on to the show ring or become a steady trail or dude horses.
I wrote for horse magazines, and I did get invited to do some clinics with mostly male "clinicians". Occasionally great women trainers too, like Julie Goodnight, Mary Metcalf, or others, but reality was/is, horse training elevates men and puts them in the spotlight. Even mediocre men, while stellar women are not celebrated like they should be.
But this leads me to this video and this post. Jim Frank Richardson, long time president, now past president, of the Ranch Horse Association of America, saw my skills and asked me to ride c**ts for him, for Rana Canyon Ranch. A woman. For a good decade I was given an opportunity to start nice c**ts, watch them move on to ranch work, the show ring or trail work.
I am grateful for that chapter in my life. It was the boost I needed at that time. It also helped me to realize that the horse world is the loser when they don't acknowledge the contributions of women. After all, we own 85% of all horses in this country! But we, as women, also tend to follow some pretty awful men "trainers" and act like they are the end-all in the industry, when sadly, they are abusive. Even to the women that follow them! WHY do women fail to acknowledge other women?
That time spent riding working horses, with some local friends (Jim Frank, Farrel Muncy, Leroy Webb, Carlos Ortiz, and others) was a great education. It allowed me to ride for NCHA past president Jimmie Randals and others in the area. And I am so grateful.
So, my point here is two-fold: Women who are good trainers should be recognized, more so than mediocre men! And, seek out good local trainers, stop with all the worship of the male circus acts that come to town once every few years! They are not present to give folks the help they need!!! What sounds/looks good in a video may not work with YOUR horse, at YOUR barn! This is all my opinion today. Take it or leave it.....
NOTES ON THE VIDEO: The first horse I'm riding is a Rana Canyon bred youngster that was loping and stopping big after a couple weeks with me. The next clip is Jim Frank riding another youngster (I think it's "Flash"?) and me starting/riding "Bill", who ultimately became a solid, winning rope horse for Jim Frank. Then, Farrel Muncy riding a young filly bred by Jim Frank. Then lots of pics of horses and riders at my place; Jim Frank Richardson, Leroy Webb, Jory Richardson..... I would have loved to ride with more women, but the only female rider who ever came by to ride was Dr. Bessie Babits, THAT was always a TREAT!!!
Finally, these are old pics and videos. Before phone cameras!
