In Memoriam: Ray Hunt
August 31, 1929 - March 12, 2009
"A horse will tell you what he understands and what he thinks about it. He’s telling you all the time, but you just don’t see it, you’re just not willing to go that far in his direction.  That’s okay, but you’re not going to get too much back. To have a willing  communication with a horse, you’ll find that first, you have to develop awareness and  discipline within yourself so that you can have it with your horse later." – Ray Hunt

The horseworld lost a great horseman on March 12, 2009, with the passing of Ray Hunt.  Hunt was one of a handful of horsepeople in modern culture who understand that our relationship with a horse must be one of partnership.  He worked with riders to help them understand the horse from the horse’s point of view.  His 1991 book, “Think Harmony with Horses,” worked to teach people how to achieve this point of view and, as the title states, how to have a harmonious relationship with horses. While he didn’t seek it out, he earned recognition for his work with the Top Hand Award, his induction in to the California Reined Cow Horse Hall of Fame in 2004 and being named the first Western Horseman of the Year in 2005.  Hunt was a part of our original Horse-Human Relationship Program planning team, and he expressed support for the work we do reconnecting people and their horses. He was a much-sought-after clinician and will be sorely missed by both humans and horses alike.  Our condolences go out to his family and friends during this time of grieving.