Tom Moates

Harry Whitney

deserves a huge thanks for putting up with me.  I’ve gained a tremendous respect for him as a horseman and clinician, and have every intention of following him around for all I’m worth in the future. Somehow, I talked him into writing the foreword for this first book, and I am extremely grateful to him for that.  And, as many folks already know from reading the essays that I’m beginning to publish (mostly at Eclectic-Horseman magazine), there is material that looks a lot like a follow up book to Discovering Natural Horsemanship piling up, and it is mainly based on my experiences with Harry.  I urge everyone to go see Harry if you can work it out.  His website is: www.harrywhitney.com, and has all you need to know about his clinic schedule, contact information, and other very interesting information—like he used to train animals (like chickens!) for rodeo clown acts, and roman ride.

Emily Kitching

initially got me in touch with The Lyons Press which brought about the situation that eventually became the book deal for Discovering, so she is forever connected to my success as an author and has my sincere gratitude for recognizing the potential of my early ideas for the book.  In fact, she was the first to publish an equine essay of mine, period.
            Aside from editing and publishing the fantastic, one of a kind, non-glossy Eclectic-Horseman magazine, she also designed and hosts this website.  She, and her husband Steve Bell at Eclectic-Horseman Communications, have been incredibly professional, readily available, and have made the uncharted territory of getting together a website...well...easy.  They do amazing work, and anyone that knows me knows I support independently owned businesses like theirs, where when you need tech support, it is actually one of them who answers the phone!  It’s a miracle in this age, and I constantly and wholeheartedly recommend them to people for web work.  So, thanks to you Emily and Steve!

Jessie Shiers

edited the book, and I was extremely lucky to get such a capable and interested editor, who also is a horse woman.  The book definitely lost the rough edges due to her hours of work on the project, and she is currently editor on another book with me on the topic of collection.  Jessie has a few books of her own, and she has a website: www.101horsekeepingtips.com.  There’s even a link on there to go and ask her horse keeping questions if you have any.

Stephanie von Hirschberg’s

help as my friend and agent is vital to all aspects of my success with this book and beyond.  She not only takes care of countless details regarding the contracts, but she has helped me to form a successful writing career.  From honing manuscripts, to proposal advice, to weighing in on all order of heavy decisions, right down to navigating the emotions and attitudes of so fickle a field, Stephanie is always just off stage lending me support.  I’m forever grateful for her contributions.  She has a website: www.svhliterary.com.

Tracy Barton

is always ridiculously busy, which is just part of the life of successful cutting horse trainer of the highest caliber.  Even so, he has made time for me to explore more equine experiences than I could possible have otherwise, and he’s made himself available, even from a cell phone on the back of a horse when necessary.  Some of my early exploits with his cutting horses are in the book.  His website is: www.TTBCuttingHorses.com.

Linda Singer

a.k.a Final Draft Booksellers, has been fantastic at taking care of the website orders for Discovering Natural Horsemanship.  As is the case with Eclectic-Horseman Communications, Final Draft Booksellers is a small independent family run business, made up of real people who answer the phone themselves.  I have lined them up as the link for buying the book to promote this type of business I value, and these great folks, over the anonymous corporate machine.  Linda has gazillions of used and hard to find books too, so you might want to call her if you are looking for other titles as well.  There website is: www.finaldraftbooks.com.

 

There are a few other links that aren’t so straightforwardly related to the book as those above, but I like them and the folks behind them, so here’s my favorites:

            I’m a bull riding fan, and Jerome and Tiffany Davis have become friends to Carol and me.  These are two of the hardest working nicest people you will ever meet.  They put on several bull ridings each year as well as bull riding schools, barrel racings, cowboy/cowgirl camps for youngsters, and a Christian Junior Rodeo—all while maintaining a business as a bucking bull stock contractor of high caliber.  Tiffany often updates their website with ongoing dialog about their recent adventures, which can be quite entertaining!  You can check it out at: www.jeromedavis.com.

            I am completely amazed at this next website— www.thelongridersguild.com CuChullaine O’Reilly, the author of the memoir about his horseback travels through Pakistan and Afghanistan that is a classic, amazing, brutal ride in itself, has teamed up with an unbelievable group of equestrian adventurers to produce what is now “the largest repository of equine travel information in history.”  I could go on for pages about this site and the people that make it possible, but just do yourself a favor, and go check it out.  I suggest you have a few hours available when you do, because you’re going to need it!  Be sure to read about Bud and Temple Abernathy who at ages 7 and 11, rode unaccompanied by adults from New York to San Francisco in 1911, nearly 4,000 miles in 62 days....  Okay, I must stop myself there, as I could go on and on and on.

            My good friends, Ross Jacobs and Michèle Jedlicka are awesome horsefolk and clinicians.  I met them at Harry Whitney’s place in Salome, Arizona, but they have a facility in Pakenham, Victoria, Australia.  So if you’re Down Under looking for clinics and trainers of the Better Way, be sure to look them up.  There website is: www.goodhorsemanship.com.au.