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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 3, 2018)
8 Wednesday, January 3, 2018 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Commentary... Cowboy finds a more peaceable way witp porses By Eileen M. Chambers Columnist It was hard to watch. Even to a novice, it was clear that the mare was in deep distress. Clouds of dust rising, she paced at the back of the cor- ral, head flying high. In her eyes, humans were the mon- sters at the gate. But that was yesterday — before Charley Snell, a wiry cowboy trained by renowned horseman Ray Hunt, began working with her. As a writer/ filmmaker, I had gotten to know Charley while research- ing the American cowboy culture. Did that “your word is your bond,” wild open range way of living exist any- more? The moment I shook Charley’s hand, I knew. Here was the real deal. Hat, spurs and cowboy humor included. “This little gal,” Charley said as we walked into the corral, “if we had come in here two days ago, she would have fled.” Not now. That mare walked right up to Charley like two old hands getting ready to go work some cattle. Charley smiled. I laughed. The moment felt that good. “Because I grew up with all sorts of trouble,” Charley said more seriously, “I know what trouble feels like to the horse.” He wasn’t kidding. Raised in Montana, Charley’s ranch- ing childhood was real tough. “Mom and Dad didn’t get along. A lot of verbal abuse. Never any affirmation for anything. Some of that was eastern Montana mentality. The country was harsh, espe- cially back then. You grew up keeping your mouth shut and taking care of business.” Charley’s mentors “back then” were honest-to-good- ness cowboys, “old-timers,” who taught him the ropes. “They were not men of many words. If you wanted to learn something, you had better have the grit to hang in there. So, at a very young age, I developed the skill of observation. How they coiled their ropes. Saddled their horses. Worked a cow. So, having that skill, I see things in horses that other people don’t.” In the 1970s, Charley took his first clinic with Ray Hunt, followed by many more with the legend. Ray had a life- changing influence, not only regarding horses, but with Charley finding peace him- self, a journey that culmi- nated on a deserted highway in the middle of a blizzard (another story). “Ray had an understand- ing of the horse — of how the horse saw life and related to the human. Instead of just mechanically making the horse do something, Ray would fix things up so that the horse was relaxed, at peace and willing to whatever Ray wanted him to do.” As Charley told stories about what Bill and Tom Dorrance passed down to Ray and then what Ray passed down to young hotshots like Charley and his friend Buck Brannaman, it made you wish you were there. “Most riders are unaware that their horse is not with them, mentally. So, when the horse doesn’t do what they want or, even worse, bucks them off, the human gets mad, frustrated or injured, sometimes seriously. “If a horse is troubled, he can’t sense, feel or apprehend what you are asking because he is so concerned for him- self. If would be like you and me trying to have a conversa- tion while someone was about to pour hot coffee down your back. How relaxed would you be? But take away that source of anxiety and we would be PHOTO BY EILEEN CHAMBERS Charley Snell knows what trouble feels like to a horse — and how to find a way around it. free to talk. to do what you ask, even the “So, when I approach a first time you ask him.” horse, I am not particularly As we stood silently, I interested in what I can get was again amazed at those done with the horse. I am who call our Sisters “home.” interested in how the horse Like others in Sisters, here is is feeling about the situation. a man who, without fanfare, How is it looking at things? hoopla or self-importance, is Where is the trouble at? a master artisan in his field, at And what do I have to offer the top of his game, yet who this animal to alleviate that lives out that life with sim- trouble, so that he can be at plicity, bringing peace to one peace? I am interested in that troubled horse after another. first and foremost because For more information, when a horse is at peace, then v i s i t w w w. c h a r l e y s n e l l you can have that amiable horsemanship.com or call conversation with him.” 541-705-7240. In our oft-times too impa- tient world, here was a dif- ferent trail, a good way, altogether. “What I do is bring humans and horses together for something lasting,” Charley said. “I show riders how to help their horses let go of one thought and take up another. When you do that, you alleviate the horse’s trou- ble and you are able, then, to have that amiable conversa- tion. Training becomes moot because your horse will seek Smile, Sisters! We’re committed to your dental health! Exceptional Health, Prevention & Aesthetics Ben Crockett, D.D.S. p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110 410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters, Oregon 97759 Hours: Mon., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tues.-Wed., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thurs., 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Body found near Bend railroad tracks BEND (AP) — Authorities investigating a car accident in Central Oregon discovered the body of a 24-year-old man near the scene. Bend police say a driver suffered a medical problem before leaving the highway and crashing onto railroad tracks Wednesday night. No one was hurt in the crash, but the body of Robert McKinney was found in a spot hidden from the highway. Oregon court records show McKinney was arrested in November for stealing car keys and entering a motor vehicle. He failed to appear at his arraignment and a war- rant was issued for his arrest in mid-December. Police do not believe his death stemmed from the car accident or foul play. It’s unknown if McKinney had shelter in Oregon. He listed a Joplin, Missouri, address in court papers fol- lowing his arrest. JANUARY 13-14 FEBRUARY 17-18 We look forward to serving you in 2018 Breakfast, lunch and libations, Th ursday through Tuesday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p p.m. 541.549.2699 403 E. Hood Ave. 120 teams from all over Oregon Boys & Girls • Grades 5-8 Dunk • Hot Shot • 3-point Contests! A fundraiser for Outlaws Boys Basketball ll View activities & classes, and register online! www.SistersRecreation.com 1750 W. Mckinney Butte Rd. | 541-549-2091 SNO CAP MINI STORAGE Sisters Industrial Park 157 Sisters Park Dr. • 541-549-3575 www.SistersStorage.com • State-of-the-art Security Technology • Sizes from 5x5 to 12x40 • Individual Gate Codes • Long-term Discounts • On-site Manager
