Saddling the Spirit
By Rachel Anderson Mountain Outlaw magazine Contributor
Breaking down the barriers between horse and man, Rocky Mountain Horseman Joe Turner blends gentle techniques of horse psychology and herd behaviorism to pioneer partnerships with these animals.
Founded in 2007, RMH offers horsemanship clinics across the U.S. and internationally. With a home base overlooking the Bridger Range in Belgrade, Montana, Turner is seeing a growing demand for his services that bring advanced equestrian skills back to basics, from first touch to first ride.
He uses an innovative training practice called Natural horsemanship, paying close attention to each horse by understanding its nonverbal language and earning its trust and respect. With this self-taught method, he is able to confidently mount a wild horse within an hour of initial introduction.
Turner says he has an unspoken agreement with each horse: “I will lead you. I will not bring you harm. I will not put you in danger’s way.”
This story was first published in the winter 2015 issue of Mountain Outlaw magazine.
