R. J. Sagely

The material and attendant photo illustrations found on this website are copyrighted © 2007 by R. J. Sagely. The reprinting or distribution of the whole or any part without express permission of the author is prohibited. This notice supercedes any other copyright notices and dates found herein.

About the author of this site -Click here for an article about Bob

I've been hanging around horses long enough to know two things for certain. I now know a lot about horses and I know that there is a whole lot more for me to learn about them. Since the day I was given a horse by a friend of my uncle, I have been a student of horse behavior and human behavior when they are around horses. Through the years I have added to that by learning the practice of farriery and the leather working arts of making saddles, horse tack and buckaroo/cowboy gear.

Growing up in Southern California, the birthplace of Californio style horsemanship, I was fortunate enough to learn about horse and cattle handling from the ancestors of vaqueros who rode for the Rancho Santa Margarita de las Flores (modern day Mission Viejo) and the Mission de San Juan Capistrano. After a little digression in the rough and tumble manner of horse-breaking, I came to realize that my initial exposure was preferable to the horse and to me. So I now focus on refining what I do that falls within the ways and philosophy of the Old Californio style of horsemanship and the making of fine bridle horses. The principles and attitudes of this old horse culture were the predecessor and source for the modern natural horsemanship movement.

I try to offer the horse the most precious and critical of thing I can as I help him learn to live with humans. That thing is simply time - time to understand; time to learn; time to be alright with his life. Beyond that it does get a little more complex. This does not however involve the use of fear or force. There is no part of submission in any of this. I try to keep the natural curiosity and spirit of the horse intact as I help him change into a partner and sound mount.

I have worked in the past on ranches in Wyoming, Arizona and Oregon, caring for cattle, horses and dudes, anything to keep me ahorseback. Several years were spent as a full-time farrier and now sanity and marriage find me somewhat settled in southwestern Pennsylvania, where I teach high school science and computer stuff.

I keep my hand in the trade by helping folks and troubled horses, shoeing part-time and making custom saddles, horse tack ( braided or hand-tooled leather) and cowboy gear. My saddles are made with the working hand in mind but can be as fancy or plain as a person would like and serve trail riders, show people and cowboys alike. I favor building the Wade style rig as I have found it to be the best for proper and balanced riding as far as a Western saddle is concerned.

An occasional horse (or human) that needs some understanding and re-education comes my way and is usually the better for it. I "train" horses on occasion but prefer to try and "train the owner" so the horse can benefit the most in the long run. Sage Horsemanship offers horsemanship and Old Californio vaquero style roping clinics country-wide and one on one, at home help for those who live nearby. Give me a call if I can be of help to you.

If you have any questions about what you read or see here, are seeking permission to reprint or distribute the whole or any part of this copyrighted © material of this site or just want to talk gear or horse stuff, don't hesitate to drop me a line at: sagehorseman

*Disclaimer*:
Horsemanship is an inherently dangerous practice and horses are inherently unpredictable animals. The person attempting to follow any suggestion or instruction 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 or indirectly through any other media.