Equestrian Trainer Spotlight: The Art and Science of Horsemanship with Tony Smith
Horses are a way of life for trainer Tony Smith, whose passion for horses began at age six. He has been training horses all his life and has been a trainer at the International Equestrian Center and Casey Tibbs Center for nearly 14 years.
Tony Smith and his wife, Deedra, who grew up in Ramona, have been SDCEA homeowners for 13 years. They will be celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary in May. Smith served in the Marine Corps at 22 and managed a boarding and training stable in San Marcos with 100 head of horses. During this time, he met Lou Roper, his mentor and a world-renowned horse trainer, who taught him the art of horsemanship. Through Roper's teachings, Smith developed a deep appreciation for the horse's mind.
Smith excels in starting young horses and addressing behavioral problems in horses. "This is a science," says Smith. He has an understanding of the science behind horses and their right-brain/left-brain tendencies that helps with training, handling, and communication. His training plan is based on a building block concept that begins with:
A. Halter breaking - teaching the horse to give to lateral and vertical pressure and move forward when asked.
B. Longeing - the horse learns to walk, trot, lope, change directions (using lateral pressure), and stop (using vertical pressure) on command.
C. Saddling and Driving - the horse learns to make right and left turns (using lateral pressure) and to stop and back up (using vertical pressure) on command.
"Because of what I established through steps A, B, and C when being ridden for the first time, the horse already has learned to move forward, turn left and right from giving to lateral pressure, and stop and back up from giving to vertical pressure," says Smith. He says you can NOT move into higher levels of training without a good solid foundation. This is why he spends time on the A-B-Cs of his training program. Once these concepts have been learned, the horse is set up for success in more advanced training such as neck reining, collection, side pass, diagonal, lead changes, and obstacles. "We make well-rounded horses," says Smith.
Smith says it is important to note that a horse's instinct is to go into flight when scared or confused or to go into pressure when trapped. Therefore, if the foundation-building stage is rushed or incorrect, bad habits such as bucking, pulling back, or running away are established. These reactions are caused by fear and/or confusion in the training process, and this is why you do not see these problems until the horse is put in a "scared" or "confused" position. Correct foundation building teaches the horse to give in to pressure, although the natural equine instinct is the opposite, especially when scared.
Smith started showing in rail classes as a young man and progressed into many different disciplines. He started thoroughbred horses for the racetrack for 10 years and competed on the American Quarter Horse Association Circuit in Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle. In Texas, he competed on the National Cutting Horse Association's circuit and has a lot of pro money under his belt. He adds that Texas is very competitive.
He has competed in Western pleasure futurities, and his specialty is starting horses for all kinds of events. He has started Tennessee Walking Horses, Fox Trotters, Peruvian Paso Fino, Quarter Horses, and thoroughbreds. "I have paid my dues." He has started roping horses and works with jumping trainers down the hill. He adds that his 23-year-old daughter Sabrina is his showman. In fact, his daughter will be one of the judges at the IEC's Cowboy Challenge & Horsemanship show presented by Joann Henrickle Horsemanship on Saturday, March 22.
Smith says he creates horses to excel in their discipline. "We get them broke in the hip, rib, and shoulder control," says Smith. He works with jumping horses that hunt the jump; he starts with the basics and moves forward. And the horses are relaxed when they go over the jump. He works with cutting horses who hunt the cow, barrel horses who hunt the barrel, and racehorses who attack the ground. "I have a saddle that fits them all," Smith says. "I have had it since 1992."
He works on building the horses' confidence and sets them up for success for things later in life. "My job is to set the horse up to succeed," says Smith. If you are interested in Tony Smith's training services, he manages the equine facility at Westwynd Ranch off E. Old Julian Highway. His phone number is (903) 316-8770.
Smith is helping shape the future, one well-trained horse at a time.
Photo courtesy of Tony Smith.
