Paco Vela
I like to to think that I help horses understand people and people understand horses. When I get a call, most
often it's to fix the
horse... "He has an issue, a problem."
Sometimes the person is aware that he or she is the problem, not the horse.
But either way, the horse and the person are not having any fun.
In other words, they are in a bad relationship!
To be sure, there is fun to be had with horses. Some of that fun occurs in
unexpected ways, like the joy in having an intimate conversation with your horse. But in order
to experience that kind of closeness, both horse and human must speak a common language
wherein both can feel safe, confident, secure. This is where I can help both horse and human.
I have been a teacher most of my life. Being the second born in a family of nine,
I started teaching siblings early in life. Five of my sisters are teachers, so it's in the blood.
I am passionate about natural horsemanship, so teaching it feeds my soul! But as
passionate as I am about teaching natural horsemanship, I am equally passionate about studying
the subject. And I suspect that I will be happily engaged in this activity for
the rest of my life—for many reasons, but mostly because it means that I'll be
sharing my life with horses, an activity of which I never tire!
Ultimately, understanding and communication lead to Confidence. And when I help horse and human find
that, I know that the fun will follow. Now we can play with purpose: trail rides, moving cows, parades, dancing... you name it.
Because when you're having a good time, chances are your horse is, too!