Horse Breaking Clinics this Summer and Fall

Stanford Addison on the Wind River Indian Reservation, Hosts Three Unique Horse Breaking Clinics This Summer and Fall in Wyoming's Beautiful Wind River Basin.

Arapahoe, WY (Wind River Visitors Council) - Learn the Native American way of breaking colts at unique horse training clinics with Stanford Addison on July 24-27, August 14-17 and September 11-14. Stanford, a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, has spent many years as a horse breaker using traditional Native American techniques, and a method he calls "heyteyneytah," the Arapaho word for "respect," to calm horses. As Stan describes it: "This approach preserves the spirit of the horse. It builds respect with them and builds trust so that they want to listen to us because they know we won't hurt them." His results are amazing; what makes it even more amazing is that Stanford does all this from a wheelchair.

Stanford's horse training style is unique not only because he is an Arapaho, but because Stanford is a quadriplegic. Based on Stanford's experiences and his keen observation of horse behavior, he has developed a method of horse breaking that is non-cruel, organic, and spiritual in nature. These elements combine to form a safe and humane horse breaking method to produce a finer horse.  This non-forceful method of horse training engenders mutual respect and cooperation between horse and trainer.

Stan uses young Native Americans from the Wind River Indian Reservation, sometimes youth at risk, to be his legs in the round corral. "Breaking horses to ride and working with troubled young people are his life, and he's successful at both," says Jack McNeel, national writer, after a recent interview. "He 'gentles' down horses, working to gain their confidence and respect - and has the same goal for the young folks."

Come to the Addison Ranch for personal discovery, spiritual enrichment, and emotional growth. Come to satisfy yourself or to enhance your own horse training.  You will leave with an appreciation and understanding of superior horse breaking techniques, and a deeper love for your horse. During this four-day clinic, you will see the results of this unique practice to include development of self-knowledge, self-esteem, respect, and healing. You are also encouraged to bring your own horse!

Each participant will have the opportunity to work with a horse under the tutelage of Stanford Addison and his team of trainers. Within this time frame, Stan's method may allow the participant to bridle, saddle, and ride the horse. There will be one horse per participant. This could be the participant's horse, or one of Stan's young horses.

You can stay at a nearby hotel in Riverton or at the Ranch. Participants will camp on the ranch in teepees and assist with the daily work tasks of running the ranch. As you watch and learn Stanford's unique methods of horse breaking, you will also experience Northern Arapaho culture and traditions as a part of daily life at the Addison Ranch.

You may request a copy of the September 2003 Smithsonian Magazine's article about Stanford.  A free DVD is also available called "Silent Thunder," a PBS documentary about Stanford's experiences, his horse breaking and training methods. Contact Anne Even at the Wind River Development Fund for this information (307) 335-7330.