| About Donald James Murtagh |
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Click here to download flash. Since my early childhood, I have always had a great desire to be around horses. I recognized my true calling through this strong passion for the horse.Like lots of kids I started with pony rides, which led to lessons and owning and competing with horses of my own. I had great success in my early career with the hunter, jumper, and equitation rings, winning many awards, one highlight being the winning of the regional finals for the Canadian Equestrian Team Medal in Ontario. I worked for many of Canada’s top riders, training and caring for horses from a Novice level through to the Grand Prix level. Although I was always having success, the results in the horse's performance consistently seemed limited. After taking a few months away from horses and competition, I was able to take a fresh look at the horse industry. It was then I realized what I had been missing all these years…the horse's perspective. My quest for knowledge about the horse's psychology led me to a new understanding about the horse's priorities and their longevity as a prey animal. I believe that working through the horse's nature, and creating a common language is essential in developing a willing partnership for any discipline. I am inspired by many great horsemen for different attributes: Tom Dorrance's humility and understanding, Ray Hunt's honesty and directness, Buck Brannaman's grace and style, and Bill Dorrance's ability to teach through written words. I am an accomplished horseman with a well-rounded, diverse background in Hunter/Jumper training and competition with over ten years of experience in show stable management and operation. Including judging/shadow judging, farm sitting, equine and canine husbandry & natural horsemanship training, working with remedial horses and colt starting as well as lessons for adults and children in natural horsemanship.
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| Tom Dorrance |
| "The best thing I try to do for myself is to try to listen to the horse. I don't mean let him take over. I listen to how he's operating: what he's understanding or what he doesn't understand: what's bothering him and what isn't bothering him. I try to feel what the horse is feeling and operate from where the horse is." |
| Horse Facts & Trivia |
| Horses are social animals that form herds together in the wild. Horses have 13 muscles to control their ears. They also have ten muscles t control their mouth nostrils and lips. These help them to be very expressive. The Quarter Horse was bred to run a quarter mile race. That is where it got it’s name. |