Price trains horses (mainly
quarter horses) on a 200-acre ranch overlooking the San Rafael Mountains. The
facility where he trains was built about two years ago and includes a large
horse arena circled by cedar posts. Price has lived in the Valley for eight
years as a horse trainer, having moved here from Texas where he was an
assistant horse trainer and had worked under the tutelage of Eddie Howard, “the
best starter of colts,” Price says, and Phil Rapp, a five-time winner of the “Equi-Stat” cutting horse competition.
Price teaches horses to “cut”
a specific animal out of a herd, as ranchers commonly do to get the animal to a
vet, move it to a different pen or take it to a stockyard. Over the years,
cutting has evolved into a sport, says Price, who had recently returned from a
cutting horse show in Bakersfield where he won first place against 12 other
cutters.
“You ride into a herd, you
select a cow and drive it out, and then it’s your horse’s job to stay between
that cow and the herd,” he said. “And you get judged on the style of your horse
in doing that.”
A major asset in his
training program is a mechanical cow, which allows Price to control the speed
and movement of the cow, allowing him to train horses of all disciplines.
He also breaks in colts —
350 to date — as trail horses for pleasure riders, offers general riding
lessons, and “tunes up” seasoned but rusty horses to ride and work with
confidence. Starting a horse in training is generally spread over several
sessions, but Price offers shorter lessons for basic training or for horses
with small kinks.
Price calls his philosophy
of training “Natural Horsemanship.”
“While there’s a lot of
consistency among horses, each one is an individual, and I change the training
based on their specific needs,” he says. “Some horses are naturally more
athletic than others, and they’re also a product of their life experience. So
based on that, you can set the speed of progress.
“I love horses, and training
is sort of an art in that you’re taking a living creature and you’re teaching
it, you’re training it, you’re molding it, you’re shaping it into what you want
it to be. And hopefully over the course of time, it will retain that training.”
The Journal spoke with Brad Price to
find out more about his business.
Why did you start this business?
Because I
love training horses, and that’s what I’ve dedicated my life to. I’ve gained the skills and I wanted to apply them in
the Valley.
What is your educational background?
I have a bachelor’s degree
in animal science from Illinois State University.
What is your business background?
I’ve been working on ranches
with cattle and horses my whole career.
What is
the best piece of business advice you have been given, and who gave it to you?
That would be from my mother
and father: the golden rule of treating other people
as you would like to be treated. For me, that’s an important philosophy of
mine. I take very good care of my horses and my customers’ horses as if they
were my own.
What is the biggest challenge your business faces
today?
The economy. Horses are a
recreational and a somewhat luxury item for a lot of people. So in this tougher
economy, it has really affected the horse training industry. There’s a lot of
competition for horses of any type to be put into training. And
just getting through this leaner time in the economy when people don’t have as
much disposable income.
What is the simplest thing you’ve never learned to
do?
Using a computer. I’m
working toward it, but I’ve sort of resisted that technology. I know it can be
beneficial to my business, and I’m working on incorporating that into my life.
What sets your business apart from your competitors?
Well, I call myself the lone
ranger. I work alone without an assistant. Any care, handling or training
customers receive is solely from me. I strive for quality rather than quantity
in my training of horses. And my diverse horsemanship background is an
advantage for training horses and people.
What books are on your bedside table?
My Bible. I’m a strong
Christian believer. I also have “The Purpose Driven Life,” by Rick Warren.
Why did you choose to set up your business in the
Valley?
I’d never been to
California, and I love it here. I decided this is where I wanted to be and that
I would do what I had to do to make it happen.
Where do you see your business in five years?
In the Valley and continuing
to grow. Also, being able to take in an assistant to ride with me. But I really
hope to share what I know, and I have a desire to teach someone the knowledge
that I have. I’d also like to be showing more cutting horses for competitions.
And finally, what is on your to do list?
I’m currently looking for a
house to ranch in the upper end of the Valley. Secondly, I’d like to take a
vacation. It’s been about nine months since I’d take a day off. It’d be nice to
visit family and friends.
Business Name: Brad Price Horse Training
Owner: Brad Price
Address: 5125 Happy Canyon Rd. Santa Ynez
Telephone:
(805) 680-1736
Hours: 8
a.m. to 6 p.m.