RELY ON FOR PEAK HEALTH & PERFORMANCE

HAY

Content With Cow Horses

When Seymour started working for Phillips, he started most of the 2-yearolds in training. He continues to do that, as well as ride some of the 3-year-olds and exercise non-pro clients’ horses. The past nine months, he has settled into his role as Phillips’ assistant. He takes care of all the horses, making sure they have feed and water, and monitoring their overall health. He also tends the cattle, waters the arena and makes sure Phillips has horses ready to ride. He also has helped Phillips at a few major shows. Working for the trainer has come easily for Seymour, and the job is just what he expected.

“As with any job in agriculture, you must show up every day and be willing to do anything,” Seymour said. “When an employer sees your dedication, no matter what job you’re in, it opens up opportunities to show them what you can do.”

Both quiet men, Phillips and Seymour don’t have to say much to know what each other is thinking.

“Even if I don’t ask him to do something he’s paying attention,” said Phillips. “He’s thinking on his own.”

When it comes to training horses, Seymour says he learns best through observing and listening more than talking anyway.

“I’ve been able to figure things out while watching Kelby work horses and then go try them on my horses. He understands horses well and can get them to understand what he wants in a short amount of time,” said Seymour. “When I lope his older horses, their feel is exactly what I want my horses to feel like. They’re so soft and do whatever you ask.”

Phillips admits that he’s “not a great teacher because I don’t talk a lot,” but he says that Seymour works hard and pays attention and figures it out.

“He’s so good on the 2-year-old,” said Phillips, adding that he admires Seymour’s work ethic and trustworthiness. “I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Though he hasn’t shown in cow horse competition since working for Phillips, Seymour says part of being an assistant is being patient and waiting for opportuni- ties. He has the same advice for someone wanting to get a job as an assistant.

“You can’t rush into it—you’ve got to wait it out and an opportunity will come,” he advised. “I also think it’s better to stay in one place for a while. When you start switching programs, you get confused and so do the horses. One day you’ll have your own style, but to be successful as an assistant I think it’s best to stay with one trainer and work hard.”

Seymour is taking his own advice and has no plans of working for anyone but Phillips as long as the trainer has work for him.

“Training cow horses is where I want to be,” he said. “They are the coolest horses to ride. They have to be so broke and mentally prepared for whatever you ask of them to do. They are truly all-around horses.”