Don West a professional horseman; a breeder, trainer, teacher,
author, and equine product designer. For the past thirty years he has specialized in
training for trail riding Peruvian Paso, Paso Fino, and naturally gaited horses. An
internationally known and respected speaker/clinician, Don is an expert
in saddle fit and design, and low impact trail riding and camping. Not just a lecturer or teacher, Don thinks of
himself more as an "equine success coach". Don invites you to: "Come Ride With Me!"
at his home near Fruita, Colorado. Learn, hands-on, under Don's
personal supervision, what he calls: "horse handling-horse sense",
"sit-down
equitation" and "synergistic-synchronistic riding".
"Saddle Up- Let's Ride!"
Don's saying: "A comfortable horse is a happy horse, and a
happy horse makes for a happy rider." describes his straight
forward, no-nonsense, easy to understand approach to riding and
training. As Don says, "If you're a rider, you're a trainer!
Every time you touch your horse, you teach your horse. Every time
your rein your horse, you train your horse. Your job, as a
rider-trainer, isn't to make each horse the best, it's to make the best of
each horse. Success with horses requires both tact and tack. In this
human/equine partnership, you're horse is the brawn, and you're (supposed
to be) the brains. For a safe and satisfying relationship, use finesse (correct touch and timing) instead of force, and patience and
perseverance instead of pain and punishment. That way you can end up being
the benevolent master, and have your horse be your willing servant and
your friend."
