Apprenticeship

I started thinking about apprenticeship after reading an article in the March 2012 issue of Practical Horseman. (Yes, I'm more than a year behind on that magazine. I only subscribed to it for two reasons: 1) there was a cool checkbook cover as a subscription premium and 2) I thought it might useful to know something about English riding in addition to Western. But since my writing and art are now focused on Western riding, I let the issues pile up for over a year.)

The recommendation in the article was to find a trainer you respect and admire and ask for him or her to take you on as a apprentice. I know Clinton Anderson (see June 17, 2013 blog entry) ended his apprentice program quite some time ago. It wasn't drawing the caliber of people that his Clinician Academy does. So who could I ask about becoming an apprentice if the time comes that I'm ready to make that choice?

Then it hit me who my choice should be if pursue becoming an apprentice. It looks like Ken McNabb has an apprenticeship program. He's a regular contributor to Performance Horse Digest. When I signed up for his mailing list, the confirmation email referred to the Ken McNabb apprenticeship mailing list. He's based in Wyoming. He's a Christian, so that's a plus in his favor. Not that I couldn't learn from someone who doesn't share my faith, but it is nice to know there's an opportunity to learn from a fellow believer.

If I want to look into an apprenticeship closer to home, Dennis Auslam is based in Morton, MN. I don't know if he takes apprentices or not, but it wouldn't hurt to check when and if I'm ready. Actually, it could be better to check with him first. That way I wouldn't have to haul everything I own to Wyoming. By time I'm ready for that step, I'd have my driver's license and so I could make the trip back and forth as needed. He also contributes to Performance Horse Digest every month.

I'd be happy to be an apprentice to either of these men. Not only do they know horses, but they're both family men and are grounded in high moral principles.

Maybe the time will never come for me to look into becoming an apprentice to a horse trainer, but if it does, I already have two possible leads.