PrintClinton Anderson
EnlargeThere’s no magic formula or secret to training horses,” says Clinton Anderson, the Aussie native who has become wildly popular for the “idiot-proof horsemanship” he teaches on his hour-long RFD-TV show Downunder Horsemanship. Stressing simple steps, consistency, and continuing education, Anderson declares that horse training is not reserved for a select few — a democratic philosophy he believes in passionately and promotes through clinics and a host of products.
The down-to-earth horseman has plenty of expertise to share. Anderson placed third in the 1997 Australian NRHA Futurity and won both the 2003 and 2005 Road to the Horse colt-starting challenges. He also has a successful career as a pro reiner and breeds and trains his own reining and cow horses. Reaching out to horse lovers everywhere, Anderson travels the country touring and teaching; he also conducts clinics at his ranch in Stephenville, Texas.
Anderson took some time out from filming his TV show at his ranch to share horse stories and training advice with C&I.
Cowboys & Indians: When did you first ride a horse?
Clinton Anderson: It was at my grandmother’s farm in Australia. She had horses and she got my sister and [me] into them. I remember riding around on a horse and my grandmother leading us around. ... And the next thing I can remember is touching their noses. I remember they always felt like velvet.
C&I: When did you know that working with horses and people was what you wanted to do with your life?
Anderson: That wasn’t until I was about 13 ... [when I] went to my first official horsemanship clinic by Gordon McKinlay, one of my mentors. I didn’t realize that you could actually get paid to work with a horse. Once I figured out that you could get paid to ... do something you love to do, well, then I really wanted to get out of school even more. [Laughs.]
C&I: What is your philosophy of horse training?
Anderson: I’ve been very successful for one thing: I keep it very simple. The definition of Downunder Horsemanship is what I call “idiot-proof horsemanship,” not because I feel like my customers are idiots but because I felt like an idiot trying to figure it all out. I break it down into steps. I talk in layman’s terms, and I don’t talk above people. And [I] make it easy [so] that the everyday horse owner — you don’t have to be a professional — can achieve extraordinary results if they follow my method. The old saying “Keep it simple, stupid” is very, very true.
C&I: What’s one of your top training tips?
Anderson: “You only get out of your horse what you are willing to put into him.” If you’re not willing to change the way that you interact with him, he won’t change his behavior. One of my mentors, Ian Francis, had a little saying: “To change your life, you must first change your attitude.” I take the same thing as “To change your horse, you must first change yourself.” If you don’t like the way your horse is riding or acting or behaving, you have to change the way you interact with him.
C&I: What is one of the biggest mistakes people tend to make when training horses?
Anderson: Being inconsistent. Consistency is your greatest ally; inconsistency is your greatest enemy. Just like you send kids to school five days a week — with that consistent repetition they get better. It’s difficult for your horse to get better when you only work with him once a week.
C&I: What’s the key to understanding horses?
Anderson: Human beings are predators and horses are prey animals. Instinctively we see the world completely differently. We [as predators] want to walk over there and take it or grab it — make it happen. Prey animals have a fight-or-flight instinct — flight as in the ability to run. If they can’t run from danger, the next instinct is to fight. If you don’t act like a predator, your horse more than likely won’t act like a prey animal. So don’t walk straight up to him to catch him. Don’t be so direct, don’t try to make him get in the trailer, don’t try to make him put his head down. Set up a situation to where the horse wants to do what you want because your option looks to be the easiest.
C&I: How does your Australian background in horse training influence your teaching?
Anderson: In the first two years in my apprenticeship, from 15 to almost 18, when I worked for Gordon McKinlay, I broke in and handled a lot of problem horses, horses that wanted to buck and bow and wild brumbies [Australian feral horses], lots of dangerous-type horses. It gave me a lot of experience to work with horses now. So it doesn’t matter what comes in the gate at one of my tours — and I’ve got 4,000 people who are going to watch me — I know I can handle the situation. All that experience from Australia really helped me, and my mentors gave me a very good work ethic. Nobody ever died of hard work, but laziness kills millions of people every day.
A Horse Education
Clinton Anderson’s here to help you with your horsemanship needs.
Want to learn Clinton Anderson’s horsemanship methods? Well, here’s your opportunity. He travels the country in his Walkabout Tour, where horse enthusiasts can ask him questions and watch him work with real problem horses. Or sign up for one of his clinics at his ranch in Stephenville, Texas, and learn his methods one-on-one. If Anderson isn’t coming to a town near you or you can’t make it to a clinic, you can catch his TV show, Downunder Horsemanship, on RFD-TV or watch one of his numerous training DVDs. This year, he’ll also be showcasing his techniques in the Equine Village at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, September 25–October 10.
For Anderson’s clinic schedule, tour dates, and locations, and to shop for DVDs and other products, visit www.downunderhorsemanship.com.
