LRTC Wild Horse Mentors'
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At 86 years of age, John Sharp of Prineville, OR is the
"Clincian Emeritus" of the workshop. John has been gentling
and training horses longer than the workshop participants have
been alive. He's slowed down a little bit over the years
but he can still handle a horse.
John proves the theory that experience, wisdom and common sense are far more important than muscle when working wild horses. John is a gentleman in every sense of the word and these horses respond very well to him. |
John "holding court"
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John working with a "weaner."
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The same horse with a mentor
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| The basis of John's work is the bamboo pole method which allows contact with a wild horse without applying too much pressure. | |
John and wife, Joyce
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John swapping stories with |
Joyce Sharp
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Joyce is no lightweight when it comes to wild horses either. Most
of the time she worked as the Arena Manager during gentling activities,
but she was often there with a well timed pointer when a mentor ran
into a tough spot.
She can also climb in a pen and handle a horse when need be! |
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| Wild horses primarily eat grasses and don't compete for food directly with most native species. In some areas the horses actually help control grass growth which benefits other plant communities and the animals which feed on them. |
Continue to Part 6
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