Andrews nontraditional approach to training horses develops a relationship with a horse based on trust, understanding, and communication. It comes from adjusting to fit the individual horse you are dealing with at any particular moment. “If it were possible,” says Joe, “I would sit down with you on a grassy hillside in the warm afternoon sun and swap stories about the horses we have ridden. Short of that, I offer you the stories in this book,” because the best way to explain is to share actual experiences.

Some of those experiences include:

• Learning how horses tell us when they are ready for the next step
• Developing a horse’s ability to understand the trainer’s intent through feel
• Taking a foal from panic to understanding
• Using different approaches to find the solution to a particular problem

ANDREWS trains horses professionally and raises Missouri Foxtrotters at their Mountain Magic Ranch in Colorado. Both he and his wife, Kim, also give lessons.

Joe specializes in teaching groundwork using pressure and release methods, and also conducts trail clinics. He has been published in Trail Rider magazine and other publications

Read selected chapters from Experiences Along the Way

• Introduction
  It Takes More Than Technique     I would like to pass on to you something that was handed down to me. It is a nontraditional approach to training horses. This approach develops a relationship with a horse based on trust, understanding, and communication. It comes from adjusting to fit the individual horse you are dealing with at… Read more: Introduction
• Chapter 5
  Picking Up Princess We are not always presented with ideal situations. Sometimes we have to do a lot of adjusting and be willing to take the time to keep horse and human safe. Kim and I had been musing about this for weeks. Our friends were purchasing a weanling filly for their son’s birthday. Kim had been… Read more: Chapter 5
• Chapter 13
  Beauty     “Where’s the camera?” Karen asked excitedly. She hurried toward the house, anxious to record what was happening. “No one is going to believe this if we don’t get a picture!     Bob and Karen had been sitting in the shade of their gooseneck trailer with Beauty’s owner. When Karen saw me take my saddle off… Read more: Chapter 13
• Chapter 16
  Supporting Curl     My stomach came up into my chest and I got short of breath as I saw the commotion below me. We were descending a very narrow set of switch-backs on a steep hillside. Kit’s horse had spooked dropping a foot over the edge. It was a tense moment, but they recovered nicely. I was… Read more: Chapter 16
• Chapter 19
  Patterns and Feel     I was puzzled as I watched Krista working her horse in the hay field. I liked how soft and responsive Little Bit seemed. She went out on a circle with very gentle direction and no additional support. She stepped her hind foot under nicely, rocked back and came across with the shoulder; it… Read more: Chapter 19
• Chapter 31
  The Gift of a Ride     I was really enjoying this ride! The trail following Middle St. Vrain Creek into the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area was beautiful. I loved the aroma of the pines, the sound of the rushing brook cascading down the rocks, the freshness of the cool mountain air. But it was how well my… Read more: Chapter 31

Mountain Magic Ranch stresses: Safety, Balance, Communication and Unity.