As a founding father in the natural horsemanship movement, Ray Hunt was attributed with the quote, “The horse knows. He knows if you know, he also knows if you don’t know.” Arguably, some of Ray’s thoughts bordered on mystic and at times took several readings to understand; but, Ray’s ability to read a horse and fully comprehend what the horse was offering is what made him such a legend. Many years ago, when Ray was in his early eighties, Charlene and I were fortunate enough to audit (that is to say, we watched and did not actively participate in) one of his clinics in Cheyenne, Wyo. While using a walker to traverse the arena floor and having to be hoisted in to the bed of a pickup where he could oversee the class, needing a microphone and PA system just to be heard, our expectations of this famous horseman weren’t being met. Was Mr. Hunt going to meet the hype or was this analogous to someone who should have been put out to pasture? Then, the class began.
This was a colt starting class, a vocation he had achieved status way above Ph.D. and was always in high demand. Protected from the wind and chill that permeates the Wyoming landscape in November, the indoor arena sheltered the dozen or so participants with their colts who were instructed by Ray to perform this task, or retry that task, all the while under his close inspection. With his guidance, these people prepared their colts for the ultimate goal of saddling and riding outside in the pasture in the seemingly unrealistic short time frame of two hours.
Ray would assist the students who didn’t have the experience level of some of the others who appeared to have grown up on a family ranch and were most likely riding before they could walk. Under his supervision from the pickup bed, Ray would intuitively anticipate a horse’s action and would remind the soon-to-be rider that they would be better to pursue his suggested idea on how to achieve the current task to avoid an unnecessary blowup. Everything he taught was based on the safety of the horse and rider. His vast knowledge and experience were on full display and he consistently reminded us of the quote written above. The horses did know what these riders knew and his tutelage lessened the gap on what the riders didn’t know. You could say this was a success for the riders and horses who were graduating from this class and credit should be given to Ray for his sharing of the curriculum. We realized on the ride home that through Ray’s genius he was teaching more than a colt starting class. As is the case so often with horses, there was a life lesson present we got to open.
EPH is filled with equine Ray Hunts who shouldn’t be judged on their advanced ages and who demonstrate daily that they have much to offer the world due to their experience and knowledge. Many of the EPH horses require assistance across the arena floor (through supplements and designed feeding programs) and while not being hoisted into the beds of pickups, they might require a little extra time coming in from the pasture or getting that first stretch accomplished after laying on the cold, hard ground. Horses teach us how years can become a cruel bedfellow, but like our human counterparts, this span of time is the only sure way to gain experience. While the hairs may be going gray, there is still plenty to be taught and shared if allowed. Say what you want about aging, it’s still the only way to have old friends.