Ben Longwell, World Equestrian - True West Horsemanship LTD
True West Horsemanship: An Interview with World Equestrian Ben
Longwell
By Gina McKnight
By Gina McKnight
From the February 2023 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete www.floridaequineathlete.com
No duplication without permission.
Many times I’ve been asked, “Who is the best horse trainer you know?” And many times I have a list in my back pocket of all the trainers that I’ve interviewed. What makes a great trainer? Well, there are many factors. When I come across a horseman that promotes communication, ethics, listening skills, and a quiet approach, I know I’ve found a winner. Ben Longwell is that type of horseman. He is the proprietor of True West Horsemanship Ltd and works with riders throughout the USA and New Zealand promoting “Authentic Trust Based Horsemanship.”
Originally from Colorado USA, Ben has “worked for 11 years in the diverse New Zealand equine industry as a full time horse trainer and clinician, before moving back to USA in 2022. Working with all different equine disciplines and horses teaching better horsemanship and communication helping build stronger partnerships between horse and rider, has given Ben a solid versatile foundation in the equine world around the world! Ben is available to teach a variety of clinics worldwide which can suit different skill levels and interests. Participants love Ben’s knowledgeable, positive and quiet approach to teaching them. Where leaving egos behind and focusing on the horse results in true progress and a great learning environment.”
Welcome, Ben!
GM:
Ben, your life sounds exciting. Born in Colorado, living and working in New
Zealand, now footloose in Montana. When was your first encounter with a horse?
BL: I’m not too sure. I do distinctly remember getting run off with at age 6.
GM: As a horse trainer, you lean towards Natural Horsemanship. After interviewing many horse trainers from around the world, I've learned that even Natural Horsemanship has variables and trainers tweak it a bit to fit their own philosophy. What is the core knowledge of horsemanship and the most important message that every horse owner should hear?
BL: Good horsemanship has variables in application because different approaches can stem from the same principles. The best horsemanship goes beyond effectiveness to that approach which fits the horse. One of the most important thing horse owners should know is that it’s not about method, it’s about principle. And they should never stop learning!
GM: In 2014 you participated in New Zealand's "Kaimanawa Stallion Challenge"! What are the first steps in training a wild stallion? Was this a good experience for you?
BL: It was an awesome experience for me, though challenging, especially with some property challenges we were dealing with. I started with a blend of “taming” and laying communicational foundations to get his feet moving. He was the toughest-minded horse I’ve ever worked with so far.
GM: Take us through a day in your life...
BL: I work with horses and their people, whether that’s colt starting, teaching a variety of clinics or bringing folks along to experience ranch life. Our family is very close so we often ride or move cattle, travel or fix fence together.
GM: You've seen a lot of horses from around the world. Do you have a favorite breed?
BL: I’ve been privileged to work with a huge range of breeds and disciplines. My personal favorites are the Andalusian and Lusitano. They tend to be smart and athletic, quick but not too spooky. Of course, these Spanish types are what the old vaqueros used in the early days of the California mission era.
GM: You train a lot of horses (and people!). Through the years, has there been an untrainable horse? (If so, what happens to the horse?)
BL: I have had a few that were certainly extremely slow to change and/or continued to require more skill than the owners had or could have. It’s a tough deal. Most folks decide to keep the horse for company, as opposed to trying to find a suitable home or having it put down.
GM: What are your thoughts about America's BLM and the wild mustangs? It seems their fate changes every four (or so) years.
BL: The mustang has been mismanaged due largely to caring people who are ignorant. It is not a native species and the extremely high numbers on the range are not only causing starvation to themselves but also to native wildlife. The extremely high numbers in captivity are costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and providing a very subpar life for tens of thousands of horses.
GM: For sure, I want to listen to your "Life in the Saddle" podcast! You inspire and motivate many to become better in and out of the saddle. Who has been instrumental in your life to propel your success and career?
BL: God has blessed us and my wife, Natalie is amazing. My father-in-law has been instrumental in challenging us to do new things. I’ve enjoyed learning directly or indirectly from many great horsemen, especially Ray Hunt, Martin Black, Jeff Sanders and Richard Caldwell.
GM: Traveling the world, where in the world is your favorite place to ride?
BL: I still prefer the northern Rockies and this is where I’m from. But I would love to ride in Spain and Mongolia.
GM: What advice do you have for novice riders and those looking to purchase their very first horse?
BL: Try to learn and get opinions from more than one knowledgeable source. There are a lot of loud voices out there that state opinions as facts.
GM: What does horsemanship mean to you?
BL: Good horsemanship is a way of BEING around a horse that FITS the horse.
GM: List 5 things your fans may not know about you...
BL: 1. I trained with the Miami police as a recovery diver.
2. I’ve whitewater rafted the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world - twice.
3. I play the guitar and fiddle.
4. I enjoy hiking, climbing and caving.
5. I’ve had stitches in my leg at a Mexican hospital.
Connect with Ben:
http://truewesthorsemanship.com
https://www.facebook.com/truewesthorsemanship
https://www.instagram.com/true_west_horsemanship
https://www.youtube.com/cowboyandkiwigirl
https://www.tiktok.com/@true_west_horsemanship
Our Mission is to help
people and their horses better understand one another and achieve together that
which they cannot do individually.
-
Ben Longwell, True West Horsemanship
Many times I’ve been asked, “Who is the best horse trainer you know?” And many times I have a list in my back pocket of all the trainers that I’ve interviewed. What makes a great trainer? Well, there are many factors. When I come across a horseman that promotes communication, ethics, listening skills, and a quiet approach, I know I’ve found a winner. Ben Longwell is that type of horseman. He is the proprietor of True West Horsemanship Ltd and works with riders throughout the USA and New Zealand promoting “Authentic Trust Based Horsemanship.”
Originally from Colorado USA, Ben has “worked for 11 years in the diverse New Zealand equine industry as a full time horse trainer and clinician, before moving back to USA in 2022. Working with all different equine disciplines and horses teaching better horsemanship and communication helping build stronger partnerships between horse and rider, has given Ben a solid versatile foundation in the equine world around the world! Ben is available to teach a variety of clinics worldwide which can suit different skill levels and interests. Participants love Ben’s knowledgeable, positive and quiet approach to teaching them. Where leaving egos behind and focusing on the horse results in true progress and a great learning environment.”
Welcome, Ben!
BL: I’m not too sure. I do distinctly remember getting run off with at age 6.
GM: As a horse trainer, you lean towards Natural Horsemanship. After interviewing many horse trainers from around the world, I've learned that even Natural Horsemanship has variables and trainers tweak it a bit to fit their own philosophy. What is the core knowledge of horsemanship and the most important message that every horse owner should hear?
BL: Good horsemanship has variables in application because different approaches can stem from the same principles. The best horsemanship goes beyond effectiveness to that approach which fits the horse. One of the most important thing horse owners should know is that it’s not about method, it’s about principle. And they should never stop learning!
GM: In 2014 you participated in New Zealand's "Kaimanawa Stallion Challenge"! What are the first steps in training a wild stallion? Was this a good experience for you?
BL: It was an awesome experience for me, though challenging, especially with some property challenges we were dealing with. I started with a blend of “taming” and laying communicational foundations to get his feet moving. He was the toughest-minded horse I’ve ever worked with so far.
GM: Take us through a day in your life...
BL: I work with horses and their people, whether that’s colt starting, teaching a variety of clinics or bringing folks along to experience ranch life. Our family is very close so we often ride or move cattle, travel or fix fence together.
GM: You've seen a lot of horses from around the world. Do you have a favorite breed?
BL: I’ve been privileged to work with a huge range of breeds and disciplines. My personal favorites are the Andalusian and Lusitano. They tend to be smart and athletic, quick but not too spooky. Of course, these Spanish types are what the old vaqueros used in the early days of the California mission era.
GM: You train a lot of horses (and people!). Through the years, has there been an untrainable horse? (If so, what happens to the horse?)
BL: I have had a few that were certainly extremely slow to change and/or continued to require more skill than the owners had or could have. It’s a tough deal. Most folks decide to keep the horse for company, as opposed to trying to find a suitable home or having it put down.
GM: What are your thoughts about America's BLM and the wild mustangs? It seems their fate changes every four (or so) years.
BL: The mustang has been mismanaged due largely to caring people who are ignorant. It is not a native species and the extremely high numbers on the range are not only causing starvation to themselves but also to native wildlife. The extremely high numbers in captivity are costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and providing a very subpar life for tens of thousands of horses.
GM: For sure, I want to listen to your "Life in the Saddle" podcast! You inspire and motivate many to become better in and out of the saddle. Who has been instrumental in your life to propel your success and career?
BL: God has blessed us and my wife, Natalie is amazing. My father-in-law has been instrumental in challenging us to do new things. I’ve enjoyed learning directly or indirectly from many great horsemen, especially Ray Hunt, Martin Black, Jeff Sanders and Richard Caldwell.
GM: Traveling the world, where in the world is your favorite place to ride?
BL: I still prefer the northern Rockies and this is where I’m from. But I would love to ride in Spain and Mongolia.
GM: What advice do you have for novice riders and those looking to purchase their very first horse?
BL: Try to learn and get opinions from more than one knowledgeable source. There are a lot of loud voices out there that state opinions as facts.
GM: What does horsemanship mean to you?
BL: Good horsemanship is a way of BEING around a horse that FITS the horse.
GM: List 5 things your fans may not know about you...
BL: 1. I trained with the Miami police as a recovery diver.
2. I’ve whitewater rafted the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world - twice.
3. I play the guitar and fiddle.
4. I enjoy hiking, climbing and caving.
5. I’ve had stitches in my leg at a Mexican hospital.
Connect with Ben:
http://truewesthorsemanship.com
https://www.facebook.com/truewesthorsemanship
https://www.instagram.com/true_west_horsemanship
https://www.youtube.com/cowboyandkiwigirl
https://www.tiktok.com/@true_west_horsemanship
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| Ben Longwell, World Equestrian - True West Horsemanship LTD |
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| Ben Longwell, World Equestrian - True West Horsemanship LTD |
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| Ben Longwell, World Equestrian - True West Horsemanship LTD |
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