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Member Spotlight July 2009 Member Spotlight - roy flora
Name: William “Roy” Flora
Location: I’ve moved so much. Let’s just call it TEXAS - but it is 40 mile to Beaumont and 40 miles to Houston.
What’s your typical day like?
I have to work for a living, I’m an educator by trade, but when I get free time I am riding. You would also be surprised how much the principles of horsemanship apply to dealing with students and managing people. During the school year I squeeze in what I can, and summers and vacations I try and balance my horsemanship and my family.
How did you first find horses … or did they find you?
I grew up on a small ranch/farm. We always had horses, and I can’t remember ever not riding. We would gather cattle, ride lease fences, help my brother on the ranch he worked for. We used the horses more as a tool and not an asset or a friend. My father was an excellent stockman, and a good horseman in his own way, but I was raised under the old adage of “kick ‘em to go, pull on them to stop”. The deeper I get into natural horsemanship, the more I find I don’t know. I had been riding all of my life, but found out some things under Dennis’ instruction. I have found that my balance, feel and timing all needed work. It is just recently I have gotten into dealing with starting colts, working with problem horses. I am working on riding bridle-less with my horse, and it takes a lot of time to develop that much communication and trust with your horse.
Favorite horse story?
So many: serious ones, funny ones, even some TRUE ones. Probably getting to be on RFD-TV on Dennis Reis’ show last fall. I have been working with Dennis’ Universal Horsemanship System about two years now, and have a blast every tour stop of his I go to. Last fall in Lyons, Kansas, I got to be the feature horse for the tour stop, and Dennis helped work on some advanced course material. There are four courses in his system, and I was having trouble with the last course in the 3rd level, which deals with moving the front end of your horse and developing into a spin. The sessions and taping went so well, that Dennis made the decision to air it as an episode. I also was informed later that he thought I did the tasks so well that I earned enough endorsements to be qualified as an instructor for him. I hope to one day be able to put on Clinics for Dennis under his system.
If you could change one thing within the horse industry, what would that be?
This going to raise some tempers, but we need sensible slaughter laws/plants in this country. If the uneducated handful of people that got the slaughter ban enforced in the U.S. knew what the animals go through now, they would probably puke.
Other than horses, what else do you enjoy doing for fun?
Spending time with my family, movies, very involved in church/my relationship with God. I have been a youth leader, worked/preached youth rallies, Sunday School Teacher, Men’s Group Leader, worked with VBS, and now I do some preaching/outreaches in Cowboy Church type settings. I love to tell of God’s amazing Grace, but I’m not going to beat you over the head with it.Is there a special significance to your avatar? 
Trying to portray not only a “better way” of working with horses but teaching a “better way” for life. Listen to your horse, they are the best teacher. I call my outreach “Son-fisher” Ministries; it’s based on John 3:21.
Anything else we should know about you?
Being an educator for 16 years, helping others comes naturally. So when I saw the opportunity to maybe do some clinics, demos or individual help with problem horses, I was excited. I have been married for 24 years to my lovely and supportive wife. My kids have gone in and out of their horse phases but I am hoping they will come back around. Just like if you force a horse to do something he’s going to resent it, your family can be the same way. I am learning to be more mindful of others and they will be more mindful of you. Check out my website at www.betterwayhorsemanship.com.
Comments
God Bless
Marge
Hope to read more about you here on URNR, and those videos.
Bliss and blessings to you and yours in all things
I agree fully on your stand about the slaughter issues. I visited you web and thought it was great. Hope to be able to attend one of your presentations. Do you ever make it out to Wyoming?
Bill
God Bless you all!
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