Meet Wil & Beverly Howe

Welcome to our Campsite!
Pull up a stump and let’s get acquainted...

or those of you whose search for more advanced and tangible knowledge has left you feeling like you’ve gotten the "run-around" or that you "just didn’t have it", and that’s why you haven’t gotten any further in your horsemanship...
your search is over!

Knowledge is the door, application is the key…

 e have something far greater to offer the horse world than just training techniques. Our motives are sincere and our message brings the truth that you can achieve more with your horses than you ever thought possible. People who take advantage and use our program are successful with their horses, "get results" and reach their goals, because we bring the best out in you...so you can get the best out of your horse!

he reason we’re able to get done what we do, with both horses and people is the result of Wil's ability as a gifted communicator, but more importantly its  his philosophies on horses and life in general.  The following is a brief overview to help you get to know us and our program better.  

ractical & personal might be the two best words to describe how horseman, Wil Howe, comes across. Wil is a unique mixture of cowboy, horseman and philosopher, having spent nearly 40 years making a living with horses, from the cattle range to the competitive world of showing. Although he has specialized in reined cowhorses and cutting horses, he has trained over 23 different breeds for a variety of events.

his versatile reinsman and Beverly, his wife and training partner of 28 years, have been teaching in clinics since the early 80's throughout the West Coast, creating a vast following. Wil was one of the first trainers to share the concepts of horse psychology as an approach to training horses. Their honest "tell it all" approach has made them an effective and dynamic teaching team, making their clinics, schools and videos stand out from the others.

 ecause of his generous and caring personality, Wil says he has felt the need to educate people about the true nature of horses and the importance of having complete control of their horse, "not only for safety and enjoyment, but performance." With a "down to earth" way of teaching, Wil keeps his program simple, useful and in practical laymans terms. Wil gets to the point with his straightforwardness, by putting the "black and white" back into the understanding of horsemanship...logical truth about horses-No mystery, no magic! Wil explains the importance and true understanding of the responsibilities involved in horse/rider relationships. He likes to put things into the "proper perspective", he says, "by shedding light on the ‘gray areas’ and misconceptions of horse psychology."

 il feels that people put too much emphasis on a horses’ intelligence and end up categorizing them as kind, gentle, loving or extremely smart animals. "Horses are very sensitive, not to be confused with intelligence or loyalty." If you are following his theory, it’s necessary to get this in your mind early on. Wil believes horses react to what’s happening around them, they do not reason, and they are mentally at the same development stage of a small child throughout their lives. "You wouldn’t let your 1,000 pound, 2-year old child sit on your lap, nor should you allow your horse to." Wil relates your leadership role to parental guidance, "You must take the responsibility of being in charge."

  help people to have a more fun, safe and realistic relationship with their mounts. More people than not, haven’t been getting the enjoyment from their horses that they should. What I can show them will first of all save their life, give them a solid foundation for their horsemanship program and teach them how to teach their horse. With that, I’ll also show them what to teach them. We’re all trainers, the minute we touch a horse, right or wrong. My job is to share with people the secrets and the little things that count, which make a real difference in your horses’ performance." This is the platform upon which he preaches.

 il Howe sends a message of reality, with methods that apply to all circumstances. Wil shares what he calls "the Rest of the Story", leaving no questions unanswered.

  ere is one uniquely versatile trainer, possessing an uncanny way of knowing how a horse thinks. Wil has been called a "speed reader" of horses. He shares everything down to the small and specific details on how you, too, can "read" a horse, allowing for much clearer communication. "All this you can do yourself, and greater!", Wil preaches in his clinics. "You don’t have to be born on a horse to get results. You just need to know what makes them "tick".

e has capsulized his knowledge into what he calls his "From Foundation to Finished" Training Program. Communicating through the understanding of Horse Psychology, equine behavior and their subtle body language, Wil shows how to get your horses’ undivided attention and develop a willing attitude of trust and respect, that comes from applying his round pen training techniques, which offer the proper balance between training the mental and the physical, rather than "just going through the motions", which produces only physical exercise for the horse.

his ground work, though only a small portion of Wil’s program, is the vital starting point and prerequisite with which to establish your leadership role in your relationship with your horse. What Wil reveals is the answers to the "how’s, why’s and where-to-be" questions often not addressed by other clinicians.

 he uniqueness of Wil’s program lies in his "10 Steps", a series of "building block" exercises, performed under saddle, in a snaffle bit. Wil emphasizes that the sequence in which these steps are taught is the formula for success. Wil stresses that "Horses, the simple creatures that they are, have to learn things in small "bite-size" pieces" in order for them to retain what they’ve learned.

 nd, yes, old horses can learn new tricks. This program helps horses of any age or level of training." Through teaching your horse to be supple and responsive on "all four corners", and able to accept all forms of pressure, these steps allow us to maintain that "giving" attitude in our horses, keeping them "tuned" for reliability, even in the midst of competition events or panic situations.

 il’s program goes much further than the basics of snaffle bit training, and offers people the opportunity to learn how to advance their horse "Beyond the Snaffle Bit." For Wil, the ultimate goal is to have a horse riding in a full bridle (carrying a silver ported bit in its‘ mouth, handling and giving to it without resistance). 

he Vaqueros are the foundation for the whole thing-The California Reinsman. They lived on the backs of their horses. We’re weekend warriors.    Nowadays, for many, it’s just easier to continue to pull and "manhandle" their horses with a snaffle bit all of the time, and keep them in that retarded state of training, rather than taking the time to learn how to advance one, and ride with some finesse. When you get a horse bridled up, you can take a hold of him and "feather" those reins a little, they respond so much nicer than in a snaffle."

il shows you, step by step, how to move from a snaffle bit to a curb bit, producing a collected horse that listens with ease to the light touch of the rein. Following Wil’s advanced reining and bitting techniques can "put a handle" on any horse. This art of Finishing Training is Wil’s specialty, and no other clinician today offers this information, let alone, the lengths that Wil does to teach the details of neck reining in a finished bit.

 il & Beverly, both perfectionists in all areas of horsemanship, make a highly effective teaching team. Known for their tremendous enthusiasm and patience, which they exhibit when they work "hands-on" with both horses and riders in their clinics and schools. They customize their methods to apply to all phases of working performance events, as well as pleasure/trail riding. Personal attention is given to each student to enable them to reach their maximum potential. Through the Howes’ intense instruction, they develop better riders with exercises that improve ones’ seat, leg aids, hands & timing. They also teach the importance of the proper, effective, non-abusive use of spurs.

 il stresses "Get in tune with your horse and get results!" "Many riders and horses have reached a plateau and are ready to move on. They need direction,  one might have a colt going, have him riding good, and by the time he is five years old he may be more seasoned and conditioned from use, but really is no further along in his education and my 10-Step Program can give them that direction." For anyone with a reiner, cutter or pleasure horse they are showing, or have shown, my schools offer a great "tune-up." Wil and Beverly are able to teach you how to create a bright new response in horses whose routines have become dull and "hum-drum."

 any show horses, soured by performance events, even barrel and rope horses, leave the clinics and schools with a "new outlook", renewed spirit and zest for competition. Students learn exercises and techniques to keep the interest level up in their horses and are able to go on with a more "in-depth" knowledge of what level their horse is really at and what he really needs. Many trainers won’t share their "inside secrets", keeping their students dependent on them, but Wil "shares it all!"

"Where There's Wil...Theres a Way" 

"Please Wait For Media To Load It May Take Time"
Click Here to View Video

Download Windows Media Player 11 For Best Viewing>

[ Back To Top ]