Horses and Training

[Hawkdriver]

Hello all. I have searched and haven't found much on this subject on the forums. If this discussion should be had through PM, please let me know.

I have a very good friend who is a fairly well-known Australian horse trainer and clinician living here in the US. Recently in one of his clinics, a couple that does contract medical training suggested that he look at contract horse/ horsemanship training for the special ops/ sf community. Before he spends the time getting a DUNS number, creating the promotional materials, etc, he was asking me about it. With my limited exposure to your community (Robin Sage OPFOR, JOTC, providing helicopter rides in Afghanistan), I have a few ideas, but would rather get them direct from the potential consumers. I am told that there isn't a training facility east of the Mississippi, and he is based near Lexington, KY.


Topics that we have considered so far:

Hobbling
Recognizing lameness in a horse
Exercises to help connect with the horse given limited time
Desensitizing the horse to gunfire
Teaching the laydown
Properly loading/ securing a load on a horse
Basic First-Aid
Field expedient tack


If anyone thinks this is something that would be beneficial training, or has ideas on topics, I would appreciate the feedback. This is not meant to be an advertisement. I can provide more information on him if requested, but I didn't want to look like this was a lame way of promoting him.

[Peregrino]

HD - Your friend's offering is tempting and I wouldn't mind attending myself; however, there is no current operational requirement, no demand signal for contracting what is essentially "nice to have training", no money to pay for a contract if there was a demand signal, and military assets (USMC, Bridgeport CA among others) that can address any emerging requirements. Bottom Line - It's a bad time to be selling horsemanship training (or contracted services in general) to SF. Given current command priorities, I don't see that changing even after the start of the FY. FWIW, my "day job" keeps me on top of this.

[Hawkdriver]

Thanks, Peregrino.

It appears he got some bad information that there were elements receiving training in WY. Could it be other groups in SOCOM? I'll pass along what you've shared.

If you would want to get some of the training, let me know and I can link the two of you up. He will be in Tryon in a couple of weeks for the World Equestrian Games, so it could be a good chance to meet.