The happiest hours of my life have been with horses as they are such good judges of character. Like soldiers, they recognize good leadership when they see it... and they can size you up quickly. One of my favorite sayings is: "The Horse Knows IF You Know".

As a youngster I was an exercise rider in an operation that had 200-300 sale horses. I saw some ways that I knew then were wrong and have evolved in my own journey over the years to a place where I think I have developed a real affinity for the horse. Like Tom Dorrance, I think of myself as the Horse's "attorney". It has been my privilege to know some fine "horsemen" and I use that word versus "trainer" because I have seen too many of the snatch and jerk "30 days and lets go show". To me training a horse is like painting the inside of an aircraft hangar with an art brush, one stroke at a time so we don't leave any holes... not a stroke here and then one on the other end of the hangar, not once over lightly with a spray gun, but a carefully considered, deliberate effort made with patience and consideration of the horse and how his mind works.

There are so many clinicians today and I think it is good, as otherwise, many horses would have been resold or gone to a dog food can, but I don't like the crass commercialism that goes with so much of it. When I came along I was shown things "as a matter of honor". My approach has evolved to be "eclectic". There are lots of tools in my tool box now and there is more than one way to get in the house besides the front door. And I will try to help you "as a matter of honor" but only if you ask me and you really want my help.

No one knows it all and I have always picked up something new whenever I was around a good horseman. Please let me tell you that many of the greatest horsemen are unknown to the public. Let me give credit to some: Mac Abercrombie, who trained the first mules to go down into the Grand Canyon for the Harvey Mule Co. and took me under his wing when he was 63 and I was 13 years old; Al Grandchamp, the master horseman and personal friend of Chick Williamson and Ed Connell, now age 100, who still coaches me; Mike Bridges, Bob King, Frank Barnett, Jo Johnson, Ray Ordway, Bob Hoverson, Mark Wilcher, and young Brad Jewett. There are literally thousands of videos to watch nowadays and hundreds of clinics you could attend but let me at least recommend some sources you might not have seen otherwise:

*Breaking and Training the Stock Horse by the great Charles O. Williamson
*Practical Western Training by Dave Jones
*Hackamore Reinsman, *Reinsman of the West, and *Vaquero Style Horsemanship by the master Ed Connell
*The Complete Training of Horse and Rider by Alois Podhajsky

"When visitors meet Gab Creek Currahee (a.k.a. Curry), his looks are what everyone notices first.  His shiny, golden coat is striking.  The comments then quickly switch to his confident and curious temperament.  Curry came to us already trained using natural horsemanship courtesy of John's tall frame and gentle manner.  With me at only 5'2", the opportunity for Curry to test our relationship was always possible, but he never tried.  Instead we continued using natural horsemanship techniques and now I only bother with tack if I'm leaving the farm.  Curry jumps and does figure eights with just a hay bale string around his neck.  His ground manners make everyone, including adults with developmental disabilities, immediately calm and secure.  What a gift!' -Alice Ridgway

Krila's Sombrita (Chalk Mtn Sunny Mac X Buckhorn Betsy), 2003 black mare owned by Bill and Susan Visi. Started under saddle by John in 2007.

"Shanta was afraid of a trailer when we brought her home. Jo Johnson came to visit and I had read about putting a platform just behind the trailer and teaching the horse to walk over it, step on and off, back on and off, right next to the trailer...work away from the trailer and offer a rest when they stepped on. Finally we opened the door and trained her to load and unload on a cue, then pulled well forward and trained her to load and unload without the platform. Jo and I took turns until we got it done. It was tremendously satisfying." - John  Hutcheson

"To say that I have enjoyed purchasing my first horse from Gab Creek Farm is an understatement. After taking several months of riding lessons on a well broke Quarter horse, I was a little apprehensive about my first ride on my green broke three year old Morgan filly I had purchased from Gab Creek.  To my delight, she was not only safe and very sensible, but very soft in the bridle!  She was very willing to trot over a scary blue tarp and step over obstacles as we made our way around the arena and through the cone pattern.  She did, however, appreciate a pat on the neck after she complied.  John has done an excellent job with her initial training and I am truly thankful that we found Gab Creek Farm.  It has been a very positive experience and helped me achieve my life long goal of having my very own Morgan horse." -Susan Visi, owner of Gab Creek Carmen