He has been referred to by some as the "most exquisite handler of horses in the world". Others call him a Horse Whisperer, but if you ask Sam Powell what he calls himself, he replies simply, "I'm a cowboy". Whatever you call him, there can be no doubt that this modest man of great integrity is truly a master of equine behavior and communication.
As a boy Powell remembers that there was never a time when he didn't want to be a cowboy. He wanted to learn about horses and at 15 years of age; he sought the one man he figured could teach him, a man whom he had never met, his father. Sam's father took him to the mountains of Arizona and Nevada to observe the wild horses that ran free in the canyons and attempted to teach him that the horses would ultimately be his greatest teachers.
Dell Powell wanted Sam to understand that the traditional rough and tumble methods used to break horses was not the way to get it done. But Sam thought his dad was just an old man who couldn't cut it any more and he struck out on his own on the rodeo circuit. He used the traditional bronco-busting methods of bucking, yelling, and brute force to work with many horses during his younger days.
After several ruined horses, and countless injuries of his own including broken bones, he began to wonder if there was a better way. But the teachings of his father did not impact Sam until his father's death at the age of 46 years old, and Sam began researching his Native American heritage. He studied psychology, spiritualism, mysticism, acupuncture, and psycho cybernetics, all of which brought about a personal and spiritual transformation in his approach to training and working horses. But he credits his father for convincing him that the right path for learning with horses as the quiet path. He ultimately discovered that a kinder, gentler method of working with horses has made him a kinder, gentler man in his personal and professional life.
Learning a better way of working with horses led to the birth of Sam's training method known as "Teaching By Asking", which is based on respect and trust rather chains of command. He teaches that training a horse is not about forcing the horse to do anything, but teaching them to do what he asks by making the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult.
Sam uses a holistic approach that considers the horse a thinking decision making individual with feelings, and a desire to be comfortable, regardless of the breed, temperament, or riding discipline. He teaches that understanding the horse culture and instincts, looking at the world from the horse's point of view, and effective communication, are the keys to a successful partnership between the horse and rider. His no-nonsense approach to helping troubled horses and, resolving horse and rider issues has people referring to him as the Dr. Phil of the horse world.
Powell's vision of a better quality of life for horses everywhere has resulted in the formation of his own full-scale equine consulting firm which allows him to spend time working with small groups or individuals and their horses. In addition to consulting, Sam also offers halter breaking, starting colts, training, behavior modification, workshops, clinics, riding lessons, and demonstrations. His clinics, have drawn up to 2000 people, and been conducted across the country, and in such faraway places as Germany, Australia, and Hawaii.
With the release of his videotape series as well as the 1999 release of his first book, "Almost A Whisper: A Holistic Approach to Working with Horses", and the recent opening of his Teaching By Asking Academy and EquineWellness Center, Sam is coming closer to realizing his goal of helping more people to help their horses have a better life through better education.
Since he made Tennessee his home in 1995, he has consulted for country music greats like Reba McEntire and Tanya Tucker. In October 2003, with the opening of his new education facility, Casa Del Cielo, near Lewisburg, Tennessee, Sam is now offering a full complement of clinics and training programs.
This native Oklahoman, former rodeo cowboy, federal livestock inspector, and ranch manager is a strong, effective speaker with unparalleled communication skills. Sam still believes in the traditional values and cowboy integrity that made this country great. He has three personal goals he strives daily to achieve, to be a kind man, a gentle man, a horseman.
For more information on Sam's training facility and clinics as well The Well Horse Program please visit his web site at: www.asksampowell.com.
