I'm not sure if there is any such thing as a perfect horse. That term is more than likely a very subjective thing.I can tell you that I have come closer to achieving that goal than I ever dreamed possible.I have ridden other people s's horses that were further along that path than any I have owned myself. I am certainly not a teenager anymore so I made the decision that the next horse I invested in would have the whole package.
Like most people, I had in my mind what I would like that horse to look and perform like. Some may call me an idealist but I wanted this horse to have a certain look in addition to being a performer. I had several people argue with me that looks were no way to buy a horse and that it should be based on performance alone, Being the hard headed person that I am I asked the question, Why? That's like saying you have to marry an ugly woman to get a good cook. I just couldn't buy into that theory.
I got busy looking for the horse I had in mind. It was long and tedious. I spent many nights on the Internet and talking to a lot of good folks. It got discouraging at times. The horse was too tall, too short,too old or too young. Then it happened! I opened the web site one day and there he was. Everything I was looking for but could he be trained to perform like a truly broke 20-point horse?
Enter, Jody Cunningham! I had met Jody when he traveled thru my part of the country several years ago and a good friend of mine spoke very highly of him as a trainer, who by the way is sponsored by Purina. I gave him a call and we talked about what I had up my sleeve and he was extremely helpful about the Dos and Don'ts of what I was trying to accomplish. The horse I had found was sound and had a good bloodline but lacked any formal training. It was a gamble and there were some if 's floating around in my head. I made the commitment and Jody went off to pick up my new purchase to take back to Texas for training. I knew he was excellent with horses but I also know that there are some horses out there that just don't turn out like you want. I told Jody that if he ever got the impression that we were wasting time and money, to let me know and we would cut our losses and start over.
Four months later...I have the horse I have dreamed about all my life. It's a pleasure to be around him on a daily basis. This is truly a broke horse from nose to tail. He has all the movements necessary to do anything you want, spin in either direction on his front end, side pass in either direction, spin in either direction on his hind quarters, lateral movements, upward thru the transition of walk, trot and lope, downward thru the transition, from a lope stopping on his hind quarters, backing up the proper way without dragging him and lowering his head by a simple touch. This horse is very collected with a great lope. This is the same horse that four months ago had three movements, stop, walk and run. One of my concerns all the way thru this process was whether or not the horse would hook on to me as he did with Jody. Well, he does and I have a new best friend. Well let's say two!
Now I don't suggest that you go out and buy an unproven horse the way I did or that it's even a smart way to get what you want but I guess God takes care of little children and stupid people. Of course if you run across one of the best trainers I've ever seen, like Jody Cunningham it sure makes your odds a lot better. The best money I've spent in a long time. Thanks for everything friend! - John & Preacher
