folks say

This material and any attendant photo illustrations are copyrighted © 2004 by R. J. Sagely. The reprinting or distribution of the whole or any part without express permission of the author is prohibited.

Please read this disclaimer before continuing into the site.

What Folks Are Saying About Sage Horsemanship

Here is what a few folks have to say about me and the philosophy I live by with horses.

I was able to participate in a "Round Pen" workshop with Bob a few months back. We spent 4 days together in the round pen with different horse personalities. His knowledge, patience and ability to communicate the "hows, whys, and don'ts" changed the way I view horses, enlightened me into a different sense of "horsemanship", and most definitely gave me the confidence needed and wanted to work "with" horses.

When I returned home to Londrina, Brazil, I couldn't wait to try it out! My first horse was a 3 year old Appaloosa. The stable hands watched and studied our progress. They were very impressed that I, a beginner horse person, could accomplish so much and how the horse responded. Soon I was giving lessons to the Stable Manager, who then taught the other stable hands! Now, all the horses are worked out using the "round pen" method. The vet, also impressed with the results, has started spreading the news!

If you have an opportunity to attend some of Bob's seminars or workshops, do not hesitate to enroll. You will obtain true "horsemanship" knowledge. I wish we lived closer to Pennsylvania so I too could attend more! Maybe one day Bob will be offering his seminars and workshops to us here in Brazil!! The language of the horses is universal, we only need translators for us humans!

Thanks Again, Bob!

Sincerely,

Carolyn

Hi Bob, You don't know me from Adam but I've been watching your posts on Bill's Book List for over a year now and I often go to your site for training information. I was the one that sold my mare which I had bought as a project horse 3 1/2 years ago... I just got my new project, a 2 1/2 yr. old Morgan gelding that had only been halter trained. He's been running out on 300+ acres in the mountains for the past nine months. I figured I'd have my hands full but quite the opposite. Now to the point of my email. I am now past the first three hobblings with him. Because my mare had been so badly beaten, it was difficult to tie her at first. Everyone said to hobble break her. Well, that I did and it went well. Then I started hearing of hobblings that "went wrong" and usually the horse had to be destroyed. Hobble training a horse is important to me, often when you ride in the desert (I live in Tucson) there aren't all the trees in the world to tie up to when you want to stop for a lunch break or whatever. It is so handy to just grab the hobbles, put them on, take off the bridle and walk away. I also used the hobbles almost exclusively when I would brush and groom my horse. Well, when I got ready to hobble train my new guy, I read your article over and over a few times. Then I went out and bought some large cotton rope, unwound it and braided it. That worked great when I used it for the hobbling. Prior to hobbling him, I worked several days with the rope getting him to lead by the feet. I'm just so excited that it went so well. I just wanted to say "Thanks for your great articles". My only regret is that you are on the other side of the U.S. from me or I'd be at some of your clinics. Again, Thank you ever so much. Letha

Dear Mr. Sagely,
Whenever someone does a good job for me, I like to recognize that person. I wanted to thank you for your assistance with my horse, Midnight. Your training was very impressive to me.

I took your advice and worked with the horse lunging and so forth over the rest of the weekend with my wife. It took me over an hour of working with him, which isn't long at all, before he was clearing jumps.

I set up two 5 gallon buckets with a board over them. He was hesitant to jump over but he would follow me and walk over the obstacle slowly. After I built his confidence and our trust he would jump over with me on his back. We were very surprised because I don't think that horse was ever jumped before. Midnight has developed greatly with your help in just two days, lunging, jumping and getting his feet trimmed. We'll continue to rely on you for your services. Thanks again,
Sincerely, Russ

Hi Bob,
Happen to be catching up on mail when your note came in. I have learned a lot from you personally which in turn has helped my relationship with "The Boys". I just want to say I know you asked me to mention your video a while back, but The only reason I didn't is because I am a "little post shy". I am trying to change that in 1999.

Your post on hills helped to, and more or less confirmed I am doing the right thing. Its hard to put in words but I "have felt" when its off. My horse & I both know it. thanks again........Your Great...Let me know whenever you do another video.........I'll buy that one too! Bye for now. ---- Sincerely, Tricia

Hi Bob,

I just want to say that your "things that make sense to me (2)" post about bosals was really interesting and helpful reading. I think the points you made there were the real thing. As a novice I am finding that I have to develop a certain skill to become a better horseman. I'm not talking about how to stay in the saddle and make the horse happy doing it. I'm talking about the really hard skill to learn; distinguishing horse wisdom from horseshit. I guess every novice horseman is on his own in this department. Everybody and every book has something to tell me and a lot of it is misinformation. Problem is, nobody can tell me what is real and what is not because they all tell me their thing is the real deal and they all conflict with each other. Being a novice is all about intuition in picking through it. Thanks for putting out some of the stuff I can trust.
--eric

I just wanted to thank you personally for your recent postings. I really value what you are saying as well as the writing style. It is very clear, detailed enough to understand and has some soul, too. It is the first time I have clearly followed the one rein stop. Thanks.
---- Karen

Hi Bob.......for what it might be worth to you? Over the past year I've made some, for me at least, amazing leaps in coming to grasp all this stuff......and one of my mental "markers" for knowing that (the physical ones come from my dear horse :) is the fact that I just read that wonderful post you wrote............and felt I understood it; not just in my mind, but in my heart.
Many, many thanks. Sue

I have "Bobs Sagehorsemanship Video". I watched Bob do the Dead Cowboy. I gained and learned so much by watching others work with their horses.Bob gave a lot of good information also. I tried it in our arena with one of our horses and he stopped too. I also found one day when I was experimenting and riding bridleless ( "i was trying to go nowhere' & my horse was going somewhere") I started to put weight in my left stirrup and my right foot out, he instantly stopped & turned around to look at me to say hey what are you doing? It got his attention. I did it a few more times to see if it was a fluke and it wasn't. I tried it at a walk and his walking gait but wasn't going to go for the canter. I didn't want to do any damage to his legs/shoulders, plus I am not a daredevil. I wear a helmet and always work at being safe. I thought maybe it could be useful out on the trail, but I think I will stick to the one rein stop. I've heard Gincy & others speak of the "emergency dismount" but I don't think this would be as successful. I think the horses stop because of the imbalance they feel. but again I am certainly no expert.
--- Tricia

Just wanted you to know that I appreciate your posts. I feel like they keep me thinking in a manner that is best for my horse and me. BTW, I received your tape several months ago and you had posted me to see how I liked it but I wasn't able to watch it all until just recently (all kinds of life was going on around here, as usual :) I really enjoyed the tape, I understood it and know I would enjoy being at one of your clinics with my horse.

My horse, Khal, and I have participated in a level one Parelli clinic and we were in the study group program for a year and I am still on the Focus email list, we have participated in a Donna Snyder Smith Centered Riding clinic, I have been on the horseman list for over 2 years, I have studied John Lyons output in great depth, I have practiced TTeam and TTouch methods. Just giving you my background so you will know the eyes I watched your tape thru. I enjoyed the tape, I learned from the tape, it reinforced in my mind certain ways that I want to do things so I can be a real partner with my horse. This whole experience with my horse involves feeling and thinking for me (and him too, I believe) and I have no inclination to stop using my mind because of a guru's 'rules'. That is why your ideas appeal to me.......they are not set in stone to be followed mindlessly.......you are always thinking and to understand what you say, we have to also think.
---- Karen

*Disclaimer:
Horsemanship is an inherently dangerous practice and horses are inherently unpredictable animals. The person attempting to follow any suggestion from Bob Sagely or Sage Horsemanship is to do so at their own risk and assumes full responsibility for themselves, their horse and any others in the vicinity. There is no guarantee of success or safety for human or horse in utilizing any of the practices or strategies for horsemanship suggested or promoted on this site or by Bob Sagely or Sage Horsemanship directly. Return to top of page.

If you have any question or comments about what you find on the site, feel free to contact me at sagehorseman