Ray Hunt was the truest horseman I ever met. I learned this morning that he has died, and now I'm thinking about how much I learned from him.
Anyone who ever rode with him can rattle off at least a dozen Ray-isms that they think about every time they work with a horse: fix him up and let him find it; reward the slightest try; observe, remember and compare. My favorite is: give what you never gave and you'll get what you never had. It took me a long time to understand that one, but once I finally got it, my relationship with Lyle turned a corner.
The last time I rode with Ray, he told us that riding and training our horses was all about "feel, timing and balance...and there's one other thing in there." He said he hadn't been able to put his finger on what that "other thing" was yet. Now I'm wondering if he got it figured out before he died.
Here's Ray with a flag, getting ready to move Hank's shoulders across so that I would understand how that's supposed to feel. My stomach sinks just looking at this picture, remembering how intimidated I was at the time.
There were ten of us in this colt-starting clinic, and here we all are in one 60-foot round pen, taking our first ride as Ray kept the colts moving and out of trouble. Amazingly, Lyle and I lived to tell about it.
The lessons Ray taught me over the years are still sinking in. Once in a while I'll be out with Hank or Lyle and have one of those big ah-ha moments – oh, that's what he meant! I won't be able to ride with him again, but I still learn from Ray every time I'm near a horse. And the next time I saddle up, I'll whistle, grin and ride.
What a lovely tribute to a man you truly honored and whose wisdom you'll always carry with you
ReplyDelete(((((((((( Linda )))))))))))
After reading your poetic eulogy of Ray, I understand why you have become an excellent horsewoman (and "burro-woman") yourself - and an inspirational riding teacher as well. I never could whistle, but I'm sure looking forward to grinning and riding Hank, sharing the benefits of Ray's wisdom with you when I visit next time.
ReplyDeleteYou were so lucky to have ridden with this man. He was truly one of he greatest horsemen ever. It is sad to see him pass.
ReplyDeleteI have never met Ray or read any of his books and yet, through your wonderful tribute, I feel the significant loss of his passing. Brushing up against wisdom like that is a rare opportunity and one that, like you've said, keeps appearing in our lives in innumerable ways. I'll certainly take the "Praise the slightest try" lesson with me on my next ride.
ReplyDeletewonderful tribute
ReplyDeleteThe world's loss and heaven's gain.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, your post is the first I heard about it. So sad.. He was a tremendous horseman and we will all miss him. I never got to ride with him but I did audit a clinic a few years ago. He was amazing.
ReplyDeleteYou are so blessed to have spent that time with him.
Sigh... another great horseman gone... makes me sad.
Yes, a true horseman. He influenced a lot of people and made the horseworld a better place.
ReplyDeletePlease come by blog to pick up the Honest Scrap Award, for which i have nominated you.
He sounds like he was quite a man and that he had quite an impact on you. It's nice to know that you will carry good memories of this man with you for a long, long time.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad day, all of the great natural horseman are now in horsemans heaven :(::::
ReplyDeleteTom and Bill, and now Ray
Great tribute. We have lost a wonderful horseman for sure. I know you will treasure the time you had with him. How awesome you got to meet him and work with him. I've read some of his things and love his theories.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear of your friends passing and I hope you have many of those wonderful moments.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute - my condolences. There's nothing like a cowboy for a friend!
ReplyDeleteLinda.......how very kewl to have been in the same corral as Ray. Yup, he's riding with you still.
ReplyDeleteSandy Carr
wow, i hadn't heard he died. i went to several ray hunt clinics and always loved what he had to say. thanks for that lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteI feel such a great loss at Ray's death. He truly was a world-class horseman and an honorable human being. I too started my horse Ladde in one of Ray's colt classes and completely understand your comment, "lived to tell about it". I can relate and view that time as one of my lifes' most challenging and most rewarding. I am honored and blessed to have gotten to study and ride with him. There were 12 of us in the colt class and we rode with our halters on the first day with Ray flagging us with strict instructions not to touch our lead ropes or the halters would be removed. Scary!! Nothing bad happened as we were like flys on their backs as the colts were united as one and kept busy by Ray and his flag. I can remember it like it was yesterday! I can honestly say that I was terrified and exhilerated at the same time. The first time I met Ray, I knew I was in the presence of someone with a true God-given gift and my life has been forever changed. I will never forget him and will cherish my memories and pictures.
ReplyDeleteI think that other thing is "spirit", or so Tom Dorrance would have said. Don't you think those two old pals are up there in Heaven right now hanging out and riding the cloud horses? What great stories you have about Ray, and look how young Lyle was. You were brave to go to a colt starting clinic. Tomorrow, in his memory, we should all get out there and whistle, grin and ride.
ReplyDeleteLove stories about those old "Horse Characters". People who can communicate with horses are truly special. I hope to find one when I get around to bringing horses on the ranch.
ReplyDeleteP.S. -- If you'd wanted to name one of your horses after a proponent of the "Bakersfield Sound", you could have called him Merle.
I beg to differ: you will ride with him every single time you ride.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute, Linda, and how fortunate you were to have have ridden with him. :)
ReplyDeleteSo sad to hear that he died. I didn't know.
ReplyDeleteYou might really enjoy a training blog I read. The woman is an amazing writer and she is very much along the lines of Ray Hunt as far as train. She's here on blogger. mugwump chronicles. I highly recommend.
I too have those ah-ha moments. I love it when that happens. I think I may be slower to come to those moments than most, but I try and keep on trying!
I love the black and white photos, I bet he was a great teacher...
ReplyDeleteI'am sad to hear of Ray's passing,
ReplyDeleteHe was the master of young horse's
riding with only halter's and without. I did clinics at my ranch in Hawaii with Ray. He was a true
person life and love of horse's. I
thank you for your lovely tribute to a Great Cowboy and Friend.
Chris Hunt