Craig Cameron at the 2015 Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium

If you haven't heard of Craig Cameron then you are likely living on an island in the Pacific Ocean, probably dodging head hunters. Craig Cameron, of course, is a Texas based clinician who travels tens of thousands of miles each year helping people with their horse, or rather, helping horses with their people through clinics - which he also hosts on his ranch in Central Texas. He has probably been the biggest influence on me and my journey developing my horsemanship.

Craig, sometimes called the "Cowboy Clinician" because of his rodeo and ranching roots, has a way of communicating to people where it is practical, helping people understand how horses react, think and learn all of which is necessary to help people communicate with their horses.

This year at the 2015 Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium, Craig and his son, Cole, brought in a 3 year old Red Roan and demonstrated putting a handle on a horse that was well along in his development. Talking and demonstrating how he works a young horse to give to pressure and being able to control the horse's back end, barrel and front end independently of each, Craig shows us what is possible with a young horse and more importantly putting a solid foundation on a horse in as low as stressful manner as possible. And I would say that most of the people watching Craig Cameron don't ride as well broke as horse as that 3 year old.

Craig likes to say that our most important job is to take the fear out of the horse. He goes on to say that he didn't always treat horses with respect, but I would say that he is more than making up for it now using his Cowboying background to connect to people teaching them that there is better way to work horses. The picture at left is Craig explaining how he approaches working with horses while his son puts the 3 year old Red Roan through his paces.

It's easy to see a horse giving to physical pressure like a bump on a lead rope or using the reins to tip the head in one direction or another, or, getting a horse to begin collection by dropping his nose and putting his forehead perpendicular to the ground. However, Craig also reminds us to consider the mental pressure that develops in horses and the body language and behavior that gives us an idea of how that is affecting the horse. The little Red Roan never had a troubled expression on his face the entire time.

If you get a chance, it would be worth your time and money to go see or ride with Craig Cameron, and you can also watch him on RFD-TV a couple of times a week. Safe Journey.

Trail Riding Competition

Most horse people know about the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA) and the “competitive rides” that ACTHA affiliates conduct. If you think you are put off by the competition aspect, I don;t think you will be so inclined with ACTHA as these are very low key events where you go on a trail ride of six miles or so with a group of other horses and riders and at every mile marker you have an “obstacle” to complete with your horse. These obstacle could be simply backing in a circle, side passing a short distance, opening a gate, riding over poles laid across the ground or other simply demonstrations of your horsemanship and your horse’s abilities.

On the plus side these events bring people together, share horsemanship and camaraderie, and the horses are probably grateful for a nice slow benign ride. Really, if you have been thinking about trailering to an ACTHA event – then go. The only downside really is the entry costs and sometimes a facility fee charged by the hosting ranch. But you spend that much eating supper out once a week.

Another like event is a Trails and Trials challenge that an area Horseman’s Association holds twice a year. Much like ACTHA rides with obstacles to test you and your horse, these Trails and Trials Challenge do not cover the distance than an ACTHA ride will, but offer more challenging obstacles.

My wife and I rode in one recently, at the Issacks Ranch outside of Las Cruces, New Mexico in the shadow of the Organ Mountains – simply a beautiful place. Some of the obstacles we faced were: entering a knee deep pond to open, go through, and close a gate; cross a bridge over a water obstacle; back uphill; dismount and lead your horse over a couple jumps; remount then throw a loop on a roping dummy; side pass over logs arrayed in a “Z” pattern; a little more challenging because of the one obstacles after another format.  The picture at right is my wife on her big Sorrel Gelding Charlie.  Charlie is not the bravest horse in the world, but he does well since my wife gives him time to accept things and he knows he'll get a fair deal with her.  The obstacles he is looking at is a couple of old horse blankets laying in a frame they had to step over.  Suprisingly several horses had issues with these blankets due to the smell.  Charlie is alert, but relaxed - note the loose reins.  After maybe 10-15 seconds my wife asked Charlie to move forward across the obstacle.       

These types of events is a way many horse clubs or associations could generate more interest in trail riding. I was happy to see some young people participating and one in a particular, a young cowboy riding a two year old mare who really impressed me with the time he took with this horse and how his horse responded.

Craig Cameron - The Cowboy's Clinician

I have mentioned Craig Cameron, a Texas based trainer and clinician, a couple times before. However, he will be the last one to call himself a clinician. He simply calls himself a student of the horse,...a aspiring horseman. I recently had the opportunity to watch another of his clinics, for the 30th or so time, this time up at the 2010 Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Craig say's his first job is to take the fear out of the horse and he demonstrates by starting colts, which he has never seen before he gets in the round pen with them. In the interests of time and demonstrating in front of a crowd, Craig hurries things up a bit and ends up puts the first ride on these colts within the hour.

Think about it,...taking a fearful young horse in front of a large noisy crowd and within the hour gentling this horse enough so the horse will accept a rider and behave himself (for the most part) for a first ride.

Below: Craig answering questions from the crowd as the Paint Mare he just finished with looks on.

Craig with a troubled Palomino Mare who he nonetheless got to willingly accept him in the saddle within the hour.

It is certainly worth a long trip and expense to either go to one of Craig's clinics or to see one of his demonstrations.

Craig is the author of one of the best selling, if not the best selling Horsemanship book, titled "Ride Smart". This book is a must have reference book for all horseman, experienced or not. The best way to get one of his books is at a riding clinic of his; second best way is to buy one after watching one his demonstrations; the last way to get a copy is to buy from his web site, www.craigcameron.com or through the link at the bottom of this page.