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Martin Black, one of three announced challengers for the Road to the Horse competition slated for Feb. 25-26.
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The challenge is on. Four clinicians are revving up for 2006's colt starting challenge. On February 25 and 26, Craig Cameron, Van Hargis, Martin Black and a mystery trainer (to be announced the week of November 12) will meet in Murfreesboro, Tenn. to show their best horse-whispering work. In just two days' time, they'll train and ride four previously un-touched young colts.
What are the trainers doing to get ready? We'll chat with each clinician (in alphabetical order, starting here with Martin Black) to find out how they got started in the horse training biz, why they want to be a part of Road to the Horse, and what they have to say about the competition. Check out www.roadtothehorse.com often to find out more about your favorite contestant.
Here's more from Owyhee County, Idaho's Martin Black www.martinblack.net:
When did you train your first colt? Where were you? How old were you?
I grew up on horse back at my father's ranch. I'm not sure where you would draw the line between riding a horse and training one. I wouldn't think a three-year-old boy handling a horse would be considered training, but at ten years old, trying to get along with young horses that bucked me off if things were not right may have been considered training. I never liked the term training colts. I figure I learn more than they do about how to get them to do things. They already know how to do the things I'm asking, I just need to learn how to ask them.
What do you remember about that horse? Anything funny?
The things I remember about those early horses weren't very funny. I learned to ride bucking horses at an early age. I tried to get along with them so I didn't end up head first in the rock pile and have to walk twenty miles home. In a warped cowboy sense of humor, those wrecks may have been funny to a spectator, but not to the participant!
How many colts have your started in your lifetime-round about?
For a lot of years, I started around 25 head a year. Then as I started working horses from outside our ranch and averaged 100 per year. When I started contracting, I worked with 450-500 a year. The last couple years I've cut back to 350 a year. So with those numbers and the years I've been starting colts, the total would be around 7000 head.
What horse gave you the most trouble?
Through the years, I've had trouble with several horses--but the trouble was always my attitude or presentation. If I evaluated own actions, changed and still had trouble, it was often a case where the horse had previous trouble with people. I don't have trouble with horses that haven't been handled; it's the horses that have had bad experiences with people that have fear and can be a challenge to work with. I just try to identify areas where the horse is lacking confidence and help them build confidence.
What cowboy mentors do you study or look up to?
Some of the most important knowledge I've learned came from Gene Perkins-a man who worked for my uncle when I was young. He had a lot of experience handling cattle and taught me what he knew. The ability to feel and read cattle later helped me to understand horses. My uncle, Paul Black, was one of the most influential horsemen in Northern Nevada and Southwest Idaho. I learned a lot from him. My grandfather, Albert Black, spent his entire life around horses. I rode some jumping horses with Gene Lewis. Melvin Jones promoted the refined reined cow horse. Later, I worked around Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, Benny Guitron, Tom Marvel, and many other influential horsemen.
What horse-related magazines do you get at your house?
Performance Horse, Quarter Horse News, Progressive Farmer, Cascade Horseman, Western Horseman, and Eclectic Horseman.
What horse related TV shows do you watch?
I rarely watch TV and I don't have a satellite.
What made you want to be part of RTTH?
I would like to help people understand horses better. There's a lot of information offered to desensitize horses and train through repetition. I see a lot of missed opportunity with these methods.
What's different when you train a horse at RTTH versus how you train at home?
I'll use the methods I use at home. I try to prepare the horse for the job and the environment they will be experiencing in the future.
What do you want people to know about the event?
They need to watch. It will be interesting.
What do you want people to know about your training methods?
My methods are different than a lot of other horsemen. I try to help audiences understand the horse's perspective and how to stay out of the horse's way.
Any friendly warnings or words of wisdom for your competitors?
Keep a good attitude, and I wish everybody good luck.
Read the next interview with: Craig Cameron.
Read the next interview with: Van Hargis.
For more information about Road to the Horse, and to purchase tickets, visit www.roadtothehorse.com, or call 325-736-5000. Tickets are buy one get one free through December 1, 2005. Road to the Horse is sponsored by Horse & Rider, HiQual, Purina Mills, LLC, John Deere, Horsetrader, and Samson.
