Horse Sense - fall 2006

Written By: Aubrey Simpson

Western Pleasure and English Hunter Under Saddle riding are two of the most popular styles of riding and the competitions of choice on the horseshow circuit for many horse lovers. When you watch a well-trained rider and horse performing their gaits seamlessly and effortlessly, it’s easy to see why. With each movement flowing as graceful as dancers, the best in the field create the illusion that the rider and horse are one. It looks easy. But like most things that look effortless, both Western Pleasure and English Hunter Under Saddle require a lot of training and a trainer who knows the business and how to work with people and horses. One of the best, if not the best trainer in the Arabian sector of these two styles is Tommy Garland. With a lifetime’s worth of experience and expertise, Tommy Garland’s observations and skills deliver a treasure trove of information not only for Western Pleasure and English Hunter Under Saddle riders, but valuable knowledge for all horse lovers.

A Breed Apart

Talk with Tommy Garland and you can hear the passion and commitment in his voice. He can’t help it; it’s in his blood. “My father was a professional horse trainer. So, I’ve been around horses and stables all my life. By the time I was six years old, I was already riding,” he says. “My first job, right after high school, was as a trainer. Within a year, horses and riders that I trained began winning competitions. I had a gift for it, and I wanted to share it with other horse lovers.”

At first Tommy bred and showed Quarter Horses, then in 1985 he started breeding and training Arabian and Half-Arabian horses, specializing in Western, Hunter, and English Pleasure and Driving. A real testament to his expertise is that in his first year, he had top tens in all 3 divisions and National Champions in both the Western and Hunter divisions. Equine riding is unique in that it requires the ability to teach both horses and people. When it comes to horses and people, Tommy has an abundance of what’s commonly known as good old horse sense. Consider what he has to say about what it takes to train a champion.

“A lot of the basic stuff of how I think about horses and people, I learned from my father. Things like there is not just one set way of training, you have to develop a technique for each individual. You have to adjust to the specific horse and rider. Horses are like people. And all people are different. Don’t be set in one pattern. Read the horse, understand the rider, then you adjust to them. It can’t be my way or the highway. You have to be able to adjust to each individual’s needs.”

Ride Sally Ride

“Everyone has a different level of talent and aptitude. For example controlling the horse is more difficult for people with short legs than it is for people with long legs. The goal is always to get the rider to be as good a rider as they can be. It all starts with making sure the person is compatible with their horse. When buying a horse, you need to get one that matches where you are, so you can grow together. It costs the same to feed and keep them. But investing in a better quality horse pays off in the long run, and makes the rider happier. You would not take a kid that just learned to drive and put them in a Ferrari. A horse that I show is so fine-tuned that an amateur rider over-steers. You don’t want the horse to be over-trained for the rider. A lot of families with children buy one because little Sally wants to show. So, I advise them to get a horse for $5,000. If she sticks with it, you can get a better, more expensive, more competitive horse later. Of course, anyone who has spent time around horse people knows they get attached to their animals. It’s difficult, but sometimes you have to tell a rider their horse can’t be trained, or that their skills have improved to the point where they need a better skilled horse. It’s always a difficult decision to make. So, it’s better to get a horse that matches your skills.”

Comfort Matters

“Once you’ve matched the rider with the right horse, the challenge is to make sure they are comfortable before they get into the ring. It’s important that they learn how to handle the horse and different aspects of control so they don’t panic and freeze up and just go around the ring. It takes years of training and experience to get that confidence. Riders get nervous, they worry about getting the correct lead so can they guide the horse properly. And, in Western Pleasure and English Hunter Under Saddle riding, you want all your cues for every gait to look like you haven’t given them a cue. You want your horse’s head to be in the perfect vertical plane, and most importantly, the movement from one gait to another should look very smooth and easy.”

“Another important part of training riders and horses is to create an environment where they feel comfortable to learn. I like to train through relaxation, not intimidation. The more relaxed people are, the quicker they learn. When people are very nervous, they shut down. It’s about building up a rider’s self-esteem. It’s like with kids, they learn at different levels, they worry about the punishment, not what they’re supposed to be doing. That doesn’t mean I never correct a horse and rider, but it’s about implementing the right discipline at the right time.”

Back To Nature

Speaking of the more personal and philosophical rewards of being a trainer, Tommy says, “Today, we live in a stressful world where people lose touch with what’s really important. Training people to ride puts them back in touch with nature. They learn about who they are through contact with the horses. It releases tension, boosts self-esteem, and builds self-confidence. They’re physically outside riding, getting good exercise, and feeling the healing power of horses and nature. It’s good for the horses and it’s good for the people. To me, that makes them all champions.”

Tommy Garland’s natural abilities and years of experience of training horses and riders set the standard in Western Pleasure and English Hunter Under Saddle riding. That’s why we’re proud to have him on the Southern States team of experts.