HARWOOD, ONTARIO - Visitors to the Western Michigan Winter Equine Expo held in Grand Rapids November 15 & 16 may have been a little curious about the wiry man cracking a stockwhip over the hobbled horse in the demonstration arena. After all, Randy Bird's techniques have not yet received the exposure that the many "horse whispering" gurus have. But those in the audience left the demonstration commenting on the "amazing work' they'd seen, and that "incredible Canadian trainer."

    Sparked by the novel The Horse Whisperer and the Robert Redford movie adaptation of the story, public attention has been keen on trainers who base their methods on observing the natural interaction of horses in a herd and applying the behavioral traits of dominant and submissive herd members. It's an approach that makes sense and is more humane than the old "cowboy" approach that relied on force and negative reinforcement.

    Randy Bird's methods, which originated in Australia and were developed by the legendary Australian horseman J. D. Wilton, start from years of observation of equine behavior and build from there. Aural stimulation, the crack of a stockwhip, is applied when the horse is humanely restrained with hobbles. Bird then comforts the animal and reassures it, reinforcing the role of the human as dominant, but also as a protector who can be trusted. The stockwhip provides both visual and sound stimulation, as it is swung over the horse and at its side. With the whip, Bird can direct sound to move the horse in the direction he wants to lead, creating a positive response to the human's request, then reinforcing the positive response. The noise and movement of the whip are interspersed with Bird's gentle handling of the horse, comforting the animal with reassuring stroking of the face, neck, shoulders and flanks.

    As audiences at the West Michigan Expo and numerous clinics have seen, the methods are extremely effective and the results are dramatic. One young Morgan horse used in the Grand Rapids demonstration was so skittish it was reluctant even to enter the building. By the end of the demonstration, this horse not only led quietly, it trustingly followed Bird across a tarp. But Randy Bird never claims to have a magical "quick fix. "He's done very well," Bird said of the young Morgan at the Michigan Expo, "but this is only a beginning". It will take a lot more work to get him where he needs to be. But he'll be a lovely horse."

    Bird is especially pleased when he's able to work with a difficult horse, one which might eventually have gone to the meat buyers, and give both owner and horse a better option. Maverick, a feral Mustang adopted by Landis Kazsuk and her husband, seemed to be headed in that direction. Difficult to work with, even dangerous, Maverick was brought to a Randy Bird Clinic in Ray Center, Michigan.

    He arrived over an hour late because the Kazsuks were nearly unable to load him. By the end of the clinic, Maverick willingly carried Randy in the saddle and loaded and re-loaded several times into the trailer. Impressed with the results, Landis asked Randy to take Maverick into training. Spectators at the Grand Rapids Expo saw Maverick in his new role as a beautifully mannered, willing trail and pleasure horse. "Needless to say, I have a soft spot in my heart for this guy" said Bird.

Even observers who have "seen it all" have been impressed with the results of Randy Bird's techniques. When Simon Wincer, producer/director of such classic works as Lonesome Dove, Pharlap, and The Man from Snowy River was filming in Toronto and had an opportunity to visit one of Randy Bird's clinics at Bird's own place in Harwood, Ontario, he ended up a believer as well. "I wish I had witnessed his method years ago. It is so satisfying to watch someone who can communicate so clearly and calmly with an animal. His extraordinary ability to win a horse's trust and confidence has to be seen to be believed. It seems so right, so obvious and so perfect."

Bob Cook, owner of Hunters Creek Farm and veteran Maryland horseman, was the first to give Randy his nickname, "Canada's Man from Snowy River". Randy worked a number of horses for the driving enthusiast and Cook was convinced. "In all cases he has done impossible things in a humane fashion. I believe that Randy puts on one of the best clinics most people will ever attend. They come away in awe and with respect for the way Randy works with horses (and people)."

In a sport where everyone is always on the lookout for the "next big thing", Randy Bird is a humble, quiet man who treats the backyard horse with the same respect and care he uses when he approaches the high-priced equine athlete. He is genuinely excited about the growing reaction to his techniques and delighted to talk with those who'd like to know more. "Canada's Man from Snowy River" has gone high tech with his own web page, www.randybird.ca  and his e-mail address, rbird@eagle.ca . Head to the "outback" of Ontario via the Internet to find out when and where this gifted new clinician will be appearing in the New Year. This is one "whipper snapper" horse folks will want to get to know.

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Revised: 25 Jan 2012 11:08:48 -0700