RE Smith Biography

If you've seen the videos, attended the clinics, or have taken your horse to trainer RE Smith of Paso Robles, California, then you have spoken to a true believer of hackamore training for horses. Raised around horses, with a working knowledge of several different styles of training, RE became intrigued with the Vaqueros of old California. RE began to read the books of Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Ernest Morris and Ed Connell in an attempt to "find the secrets". After several readings of the books, RE was privileged to meet an old trainer who had been taught the old ways many, many years prior and who was willing to share his knowledge with the hopeful young trainer. Receiving the privilege of riding many horses, each of which had their own personal problems, RE began to notice that watching the horses on the ground conveyed information to him that he could not explain. In time, RE's trainers encouraged him to believe that the "reading" ability was in fact true and that he should trust his ability to read these horses to better train them. When you see RE working a new horse and reading his movements during the evaluation phase of the training program you will notice that postures given by the horse are then converted into counter-postures given by the trainer. When watched closely a dance occurs between horse and trainer which results in the horse's posture changing from a defensive one to a welcoming and calm one. Many of RE's training sessions are attended by friends of the client who hear from the client about the trainers ability to calm the horse prior to the training. This often results in new clients for the trainer.

While managing an event ranch in Southern California, RE and his wife Laurie decided to produce videos explaining the mechanics and theory of hackamore training. They formed Circle S Ranch Productions and with the help of their very close friends began a series of five videotapes explaining how the owners of horses could become the trainers of horses. As of this date, hundreds of tapes have been sold in 13 countries around the world. RE maintains a very traditional attitude, both in his training and in his life. The flat brim hat, the high boot and silver spur is not a custom, but is worn daily by this trainer with a certain pride of his buckaroo background. RE continues to learn new techniques and is encouraged by many while on the road at shows who recognize the talent and offer secrets about their training programs. At a recent show RE had the privilege of meeting Mike McDonald, a spade bit maker and hackamore reinsman who spent several minutes discussing techniques and abilities of the old hackamore reinsmens, who with a few exceptions are not being followed by today's trainers. In conversation, RE has been described as a horse's trainer with an emphasis on the horse. RE does not normally work in an atmosphere of cheers and applause, but in a quiet, calm and often relaxing setting where horse and trainer communicate using the natural postures provided by nature. In conversations RE will tell you that seeing a horse lower his head and lick his lips far exceed the ovations of people when it comes to personal satisfaction.

In a recent article RE wrote called "Lead Um and Feed Um Versus Ride Um and Slide Um", he points out many people treat their horse like china dolls sitting on a shelf rather than athletic animals who enjoy hard work and being used in a variety of activities. The lack of training creates a lack of confidence on the part of the owner and the horse's life is not as rewarding as it could be if balance, confidence and control were a part of the everyday relationship between horse and rider. As you view the tapes, attend the clinics, and enter the world of hackamore training, you will find that as you teach you learn and when you have learned to use your horse to the best of its ability, that your time in the saddle is the best time of the day.