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| What others are saying... |
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| "Bill's way of communicating is clear and concise, yet he allows his students opportunity to "figure" things out on their own, which is a valuable part of the learning process for both horse and rider" |
Erika C |
| "One of the things I admire the most about Bill is his ability to communicate and connect to the horses mind and how the horse responds willingly and searches for Bill's support. Bill cares for the horse and therefore takes as much time as needed to share his knowledge and experience with his clinic participants. He helps the participants learn to communicate with their horse in the language they both can understand." |
Leslie S |
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I met Bill at a perfect time in my life. I had struggled with my horsemanship for many years and had been searching hard when fate introduce me into Bill. I have an Arabian mare named Rabonese that I had bought when she was 5 months old. That was 15 years ago. Between my lack of correct horsemanship, and sending her to the wrong “trainers” to be “broke”, I found myself with a horse that was very bothered about nearly everything. She was “flighty” with her guard at all times. Some would even say to me that they thought she had been beaten. Well, I have had her all my life and never laid a hand on her.
When fate introduced me to Bill, I immediately felt like he truly cared about my horse and the hard times we were both going through. His gentle approach to Rabonese immediately calmed her and I saw a look in her eyes that I had never seen before. She was finally at peace, and had a look of relief that someone finally understood her. Well, I was hooked! I started hosting two clinics a year in Eastern NC for Bill starting in October 2002. My understanding of true horsemanship has grown tremendously since I met Bill. And Rabonese is a much happier horse because of it. Bill has a natural talent and keen sense of the horse that can not be replicated. I can only hope to achieve half of his knowledge one day.
Recently, I was paid a huge compliment regarding Rabonese. She had a four day stay at my veterinarian’s facility for breeding and when I picked her up, my vet said she had been a pleasure to work with. Most folks would not recognize Rabonese from five years ago. She is peaceful, natural, and a pleasure to be around now.
Thank you Bill for all you have done for me and my horses!
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Jana L |
| "I was an aspiring life long dressage rider, who found myself at a stand still struggling to move up the levels. In 2002, I attended a clinic, sponsored by my friend, Jana, with this "cowboy" from Western North Carolina. I remember seeing Bill ride his horse, Abe, for the first time. Bridleless! I remember thinking, not only is this guy riding without a bridle, he is getting flying lead changes, lateral work, solid stops- again bridleless! With all things considered -- he was doing dressage!
During that clinic, Bill seemed to be able to show me, through riding with "feel" and correct timing, the holes in my early training. What opened my eyes with that clinic was not the mechanical maneuvers I was lacking, it was the mental "connection". I learned not only through riding but through groundwork, round penning and even everyday handling how I could have a mental connection and better overall relationship with my horses. Bill tells us, "This style of horsemanship is a life long journey" and we learn everyday from our horses. I learned in that very first clinic that this was the kind of relationship I wanted with my horses and I haven't looked back since.
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Erika C |
| "thanks for all you do for my horses. In a world full of gimmicks, you are the "real" deal!" |
Mike S |
| "Bill has been IMMEASURABLY valuable to both me and my horse. I have but one horse, and we will continue to learn together under Bill's excellent guidance. It can only get better and better! Thanks Bill!" |
Claudia M |
| "I learnt so much from the clinic, I did last year. I still use it today!! I had fun and the people were so friendly!! It nice to find people who want to work with their horse, not think their horse works for them." |
Ella R |
| "I met Bill back in 1997, through a mutual friend. At that time, I was new to horses and had not had much experience with them at all. What I did have was a deep rooted love of horses and the passion to become a “Horseman” and Bill saw this. During my first of many visits to the TH Ranch Bill rode his Bridle Horse Abe and a few horses that were in training, this was my introduction to Horsemanship. I knew right then, that this was for me. Every aspect of Bills interaction with his horses was special, at that time I thought of it as magic. I had to have this knowledge, and true understanding of what I was witnessing. From the time Bill haltered his horse until the time he turned him back out the Connection was there and very visible, I could even feel it. I told Bill in these words, “I have to have this, I want to be a Horseman, will you teach me this way of life (Horsemanship) and help me understand”. He said, yes and from that point Bill has been a good friend and mentor, a major part of my horsemanship journey. I know that he’s taken special interest in me and my growth as a Horseman assuring that I’m on the right path to reaching my goals. Now ten years later I stand as a Horseman with an even more intense passion for knowledge and understanding, building to the foundation that started and continues with Bill Scott. Bill thank you so much, because of you I have become a Horseman. " |
Corey J |
| "Attended my first clinic and was very pleased and impressed with his gentle touch working with horses. Just proves with the knowlege and patience it can be done. Certainly intended to attended more! " |
Suzanne R. |
| "Hi, I have been so excited to come to a Bill Scott Clinic. It helps me so much. Thank you so much. I love it here :) Grace ( 12 years old)" |
Grace and Coco |
| "Hey ya'll, I am so excited. The Bill Scott Clinics are the best, It helps me so much. I finally understand. Love, Hannah (13 years old)," |
Hannah and Suzie Q |
| "Hi! I was so excited when I found out I was going to a Bill Scott Clinic. I have learned so much more than I ever thought possible. :) I plan to come back next spring. Tory ( 12 years old)" |
Tory and Max |
| "I appreciate the patience and tolerance to repeat, re-do, etc. to ensure understanding not only to adults, but especially for young riders." |
Debi (Tory's Grandma) |
| "What you GIVE to us is so much more than what we pay for....We couldn't afford to purchase what you dispense to us so freely. Thank you for your bottomless patience. Fondly, Claudia" |
Claudia |
| "Your knowledge and ability to pass it on to us is incredible. I learned (believe it or not) so much in these 3 days. I cant wait to come back in the spring. I was so pleased you rode Holland. Sincerely, Anne
side note from the editor - See Bill riding Holland in the photo gallery. Holland is a Shackleford Banks Pony. " |
Anne S |
| "Fantastic learning experience!!!!!" |
Barb |
| "Note from the editor: Sandy's comments were made during the morning get together at a recent clinic. It was heartfelt and poignant, thus I ask her to send me her thoughts to add to the comments.
"Many of you here at this gathering [2007 clinic in Pollocksville, NC] have not been associated with horses as long as I. I am the one in this group that is really "long in the teeth". I was playing with horses in the 50s and 60s and I was struggling. The only information one could obtain was from a Professor Berry or a man named Monty Foreman. Even the horse training books that my Grandfather used were not very informative. In his books the pictures of the horses showed the only difference between an untrained horse and and trained horse was that the trained horse had a combed mane and tail. The information was vague and confusing.
You folks in this group have no idea how lucky you are to have Bill Scott share his knowledge of the horse and true horsemanship. I have known Bill for over ten years; he was one of the first to open my eyes to a kinder and better way to partner with your horse. Be thankful that Bill makes himself available to the common horseman and gives us the opportunity to follow his lead."
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Sandy H |
| "One of the first times I watched Bill work a horse in a round pen was several years ago, at a local horse rescue’s spring Open House. The rescue had acquired a very troubled horse whose experiences had taught him to have no patience, trust nor use for humans. The rescue had resorted to herding the horse from pasture to pasture, and had contained him in a round pen for the day of the open house, with careful instructions for all visitors to keep their distance from the round pen—the horse was known to avoid people at all costs, and to charge, strike, and bite if cornered.
Bill started his demonstration in an adjacent paddock, using his horse Abe to show the audience about hooking the horse on, riding from feel without using the reins, and even had Abe quietly lie down—“The Horse Whisperer” had just recently been released, along with the controversy that this practice generated. Then, Bill moved to the round pen to work the troubled horse. And this horse was very, very troubled; Bill worked with the horse for a short time, and was finally able to just approach the horse, quickly stroke it at the base of the neck, and then walk away—that was all the pressure that the horse could handle, and it was clear to an experienced observer that the horse struggled even with this small human contact. Then, after what appeared to the uneducated eye—which was most of the audience—to have done almost nothing with the horse, Bill announced that he was finished, and had done all that the horse could or should be asked to handle in one session. A small child in the audience piped up and asked “are you going to do Join-Up now??” But Bill only said again that he had already done all that the horse could handle for one session, and left it alone.
It would have been hard for many people to have walked away when it became clear that much of the audience missed the small but significant thing that had happened with that little horse. But there was no doubt in my mind, that day, that Bill had the horse’s best interests first and foremost on his agenda. I’ve been a follower ever since.
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Nory P |
| "Having a wonderful , well - trained horse is not the end of the story. Having a CONNECTION ~ horse & rider ~ is the ultimate. This is what Bill Scott helps us find, understand, use, and make better. When this begins to happen, both rider and horse are in tune and happier in every way. In the many Bill Scott clinics I have attended with my horses I have seen amazing and wonderful things happen for horses with issues and riders with issues. Sometimes neither the horse nor the rider realize there are issues until they are gently discovered and resolved with Bill's help. Don't let Bill's COWBOY persona fool you. Bill Scott understands and works well with all horses and disciplines. At my first Bill Scott clinic with my brand new quarter horse I asked Bill to jump in the saddle and see what my new horse could do. I saw him maneuver my horse through a master dressage course using nothing much more than a hay twine wrapped loosely around my horse's neck for reins. It was amazing, and my horse was so happy to have someone in the saddle who connected with him. Bill humbly jumped down and said, "Nice horse, Phyllis. Now let's get to work."
It's almost as if we can hear a sigh of relief from the horse as he understands Bill understands the heart and soul of every horse, then helps make a permanent CONNECTION! " |
Phyllis V |
| "I am a NARHA Instructor (National American Riding for the Handicapp Assoc.) and also link with EFMA (Equine Facilitated Mental Health) which I am a memeber. Bill should be a board memebr of each organization, which speaks volumes about the ability and knowledge not just about horsemanship but about understanding a horse's mind. My horses are my partners, without my partners, I have no ability to help all these precious special needs children.
Bill Scott totally turned me on from the minute I started listening. I attended my first clinic with a lot of what he calls "baggage". Not only does he tell you the proper way but he explains WHY! The WHY is very important. He spends time with each individual and their partner (the horse) and even rides several partners. He does not believe in heavy handness and most of all he teaches about your energy level with your partner. Many, many people cannot understand this. They just want to get on thier horses and go. In my opinion and now apparently Bill Scott's opinion, you are missing a great opportunity to get to know your horse and partner.
I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend Bill Scott's clinic on this day to hear a man talk about honoring your horse!!
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Cindi W |
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