Hoofbeat

Kinder, gentler horse work

Ron Knodel has a different way of working with horses. To hear it from Ron, he “gentles” horses. It’s the result of a lot of time learning to work to horses. And when it comes to his working relationship with horses, “breaking” doesn’t seem to be part of his vernacular.

“I dedicated my life a long time ago for all of the bone-head things that I’d done when I was a younger guy trying to force things onto horses,” said Knodel, referring to techniques he’s long abandoned.

His method seems to work. Knodel demonstrates his “gentling” technique on wild mustangs, some of which have never been touched by a human. He gets through to them with calming communication.

AUDIO: Ron Knodel (3 min. MP3)