Wow, if the world isn’t ever-changing in these unprecedented times! One thing I believe everyone can collectively agree on, is that the unification of people during this time of Covid-19 has been fantastic to see. So, here’s to hoping that this is a new way of life for many that continues well beyond the current times we are finding ourselves faced with! #BetterTogether
With many states beginning their reopening processes, entering Phase 1, we seem to find ourselves in a whole new situation to navigate. Everyone is finding themselves flooded with, often conflicting, guidance and information. The information that USEF, the Joint Leadership Council, and our very own Chapter 14 are working around the clock to accurately provide, is, in our opinion, the best place to start. With that being said, the correct answer, for each and every individual, as well as businsess’, will almost certainly look different. There are many “right” answers in the situation(s) we are in. Some people are going to resume life seemingly “as usual”... some will remain quarantined for the foreseeable future... some will attend horse shows, others will not. These may ALL be the correct answers for different situations, and it is more important, now than ever, to do your research, make educated decisions, and trust your instincts. Be kind. With yourself and others. We have emphasized it before, but quite frankly cannot enough- reach out to your fellow chapter members, the JLC, really, anyone you trust. These decisions are difficult for all involved, but we must believe that if our industries remain unified, we will be ok.
Kindness. Humility. Patience. These are all words that are [hopefully] impacting our daily lives- and they are all words that come to mind when Shanna Gish is spoken of. This made her the perfect candidate for our interview this week! While Shanna has been in the industry for the majority of her life, she is most notably known for her time as Trainer, Manager, & Instructor, at Indian Creek Farm, where she still calls home today. This interview is our longest yet- and the questions seemed to reflect Shanna perfectly. Her answers are engaging, detailed, and honest; we hope that you enjoy them as much as we did.
YP: Your horses always seem to have a steady, signature carriage in the bridle when you ride them. What do you feel is your special touch that gets your horses strong enough to achieve that effortless carriage? SG: Thank you for that! I really want our horses to be comfortable doing what we are asking them to do, so I begin with letting their conformation and attitude dictate what we ask of them. If they are built to be a Saddle seat horse, then we train that direction. If they are more comfortable with their necks a bit lower or their laid-back attitude lends them to Western, we develop them to do that from the start. I think that getting them confident and comfortable makes all the difference. From there, no matter the division, we train for self-carriage, which comes from balance and collection. We move forward, and we back a lot too, so that they learn to get on their rear ends, and move off carrying themselve—instead of us trying to hold them up with our hands and legs. We bend and turn and teach them to move away from leg and rein pressure. At first, they can only carry themselves 10 to 20 strides but then it’s a rail, and then it’s a lap, and so on. It all builds and develops into that effortless carriage, and as riders, it seems like we are doing nothing up there, when in reality it is hundreds of finger and leg movements that are not detectable by the eye. One of the first times that I went to lunch with Kurt Hufferd, after coming to work at Indian Creek, he drew out on a napkin exactly how he was trying to get his horses to move. I remember it like it was yesterday, but I couldn’t draw it out again to save my life. It had never been explained or broken down to me that way before. It is basic dressage principles that have been adapted to Saddle seat and
Western riding. We are all trying to get the same look, but there are so many different ways to approach and develop it. I read at least one training article a week- doesn’t matter the discipline- and try to figure out if I can apply it to improve our horses in some way. Sometimes it is an article about nutrition, teaching, training approach or vet care. I am always trying to learn. I love to watch others work and teach too! I feel like a new way to say something to a rider, or approach a training issue, can make all of the difference to horse and rider. YP: You competed and won the Battle of the Breeds at the Royal Winter Fair- what was it about your horse, and the Morgan breed as a whole, that persevered above the others? SG: I encourage everyone to try to go and compete at the Royal Winter Fair at least once in their lifetime and represent your breed. There is so much history, pageantry and enthusiasm in that arena. It was like none other for me, and I am so glad that our team was up to continue show season a little longer for the experience. I knew that our horse was at the age to handle 3 days of competition and could put on a show each time. That is a true Morgan trait. He didn’t need the work to prepare, he just needed us to take care of him between each ride and keep him healthy. Our horse is very handy, and we can ride him anywhere in the ring, so that helped in the crowd of horses that were all different sizes and speeds. Morgans are beautiful horses that have a balance of presence, way of going and consistency that make them so attractive in a Battle of the Breeds type class.
YP: How do you believe the versatility of the Morgan horse benefits its industry? SG: I think that the versatility of the Morgan Horse is one of its biggest strengths and biggest weaknesses. With time and consistency, these horses can be and want to be whatever we want them to be, and we are fortunate to have so many divisions to choose from. Morgans can be great show horses, endurance horses, ranch horses, CDE horses and so on, but on the flip side of that, the Morgan is not known to be the best at one particular thing. Like Thoroughbreds are to racing, like Warmbloods are to jumping etc. I think that we need to work on that part of their identity. YP: What is your favorite memory in Oklahoma City? SG: I have been showing at the Morgan Grand National since 1978. There have been so many wonderful and great moments and memories, I don’t think that I can narrow it down to just one. In that time my focus and thought process has evolved from junior exhibitor to professional. I love to do well with a horse that I am showing but what gets me now is to see it all come together for one of our horse and rider combinations. Last year we took 20 plus horses to the show, and one of my proudest moments was them all arriving healthy and staying well the entire two weeks! YP: What advice do you have for young professionals who would like to start a breeding program? SG: Having a breeding program as a part of your farm is so important, especially for young professionals. I feel that knowing the process from a foal’s first breath, to breaking it to ride or drive is invaluable. If you are buying them as a finished horse, or even a prospect and then starting them, you are missing part of the equation. My advice is to try to find a mare to lease or buy the best-bred proven mare that you can afford, and then breed it to a proven stallion. One that is known to consistently sire offspring that get to the showring. You will experience joy and heartbreak, but you will know the process. You will better relate to your clients; having foals around is infectious in a good way. Clients will want to raise them too, and that is good job security. If we have an open stall, we just go to the pasture and bring in another one! YP: Something I have always noticed about you is the level of finish and manners your young horses have in the show ring- yet they are still bright and do not look overworked, or burnt out... How do you feel you achieve this so consistently? SG: This is a tough balance, and we don’t always get it right. Keeping them fresh but manageable is a lot of trial and error. The manners side of it, we really work on at home, so they don’t make a fool of us at a show. We raise a lot of our young horses, so we start manners school from the very beginning. We don’t over handle them as foals, but they get the basics. They get pretty wild as yearlings out in the field but when they are started as long yearlings, we go back to the basics and they are taught to walk off on a lunge line, then in lines, stand to be hooked, stand to get on and so on. We are patient and we teach them patience from the beginning. We find it a lot easier to start them that way, than to let them be all out of control, and give them a pass because they are young, and then try to fix it later. If we get a horse in training that has trouble with this, we will work them in a smaller space, or get on them in a smaller space, until they learn to stand and begin properly. I don’t want to be the trainer at a show with an ill-mannered horse, so we pay a lot of attention to manners at home, and try to develop horses to be good citizens for the rest of their lives. They will always have a purpose and place that way.
YP: I have always thought you are one of the nicest individuals in the Morgan breed- With that being said, you are always seemingly so positive all the time, calm, and level headed. How do you do this while working in a large operation with so many moving parts? SG: Isn’t it just easier to be nice and positive? It’s definitely a choice, though, I think. Really, I believe the answer to this question is that I was raised to be nice, polite and respectful. Not just by parents but by my mentors, Jonalyn Gwinup, Chet Sowel, Tom Harkins, Helen Crabtree, Stan and Paulette Bodnar and Kurt Hufferd are all training professionals that directly influenced how I try to do things today. There are a lot of moving parts at Indian Creek Farm. 70 plus horses, foals, breeding work, training, lessons and shows. I do my best to plan ahead, anticipate and communicate, and I most definitely don’t manage all of it alone. I am fortunate to have the best possible team that I could imagine. I delegate and encourage our staff to find their niche but be able to do everything here on the farm just like I do. We wouldn’t be near as successful without every single person that works at Indian Creek.
YP: How has the industry changed since you have been a part of it? What changes do you hope to see in the future? SG: I have been in this industry to see it evolve and come back around again. I think that the Morgan industry is very consistent and welcoming, and our horses are great for a lot of people and interests. I would like to see our breeding numbers improve and for all professionals to start a riding program, even if it is a small one to introduce our breed to new people. That is what will make it grow. There are always going to be children born with an affinity and passion for horses, but we need more places for them to be able to develop and realize that passion. We need more opportunities out there for them to be introduced and exposed to the Morgan Horse.
YP: What has been the most difficult lesson to learn? SG: I think that there have been many lessons that I have learned in my time as a professional. From the horse side of it, and it’s the heartbreaking part, is that horses are going to get sick and some will die, no matter how hard you work to make them better. It is just part of horse stewardship. I fight, pull for, and give the best care for each horse on our farm but some will still pass. I have had to decide that putting them down is the kindest choice that I can make for them. It isn’t easy but you will have to make this choice for the horse. You will have to walk your owners through it too, some for the first time. This part is so difficult. I experienced it as a kid, and I had seen my peers deal with a horse’s illness or death but to have to walk a customer through the process put it on a whole different level for me. Having to call a customer and tell them that their foal didn’t make it through delivery, or that their mare has slipped their pregnancy is the worst. You will get better at it the more times that you have to do it, unfortunately, but kindness and empathy has always worked best for me.
YP: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
SG: “You are never irreplaceable, and you should never stop learning.” is one piece of valuable advice that I received early on in my career. It has motivated me to work hard and never forget that there will always be someone out there that would love to be in my position, so I work hard every day to give the best to my horses, my clients and my staff.
Interview conducted by: Cate Lynch
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