The family of Mill Swamp Indian Horses is one that someone could only admire. Not just between the riders but between every horse, person, and whatever else comes our way. We come together for the purpose of our horses and what they mean to us. Steve Edwards protects and preserves strains of wild horses. Together him and his riders have become something quite amazing. One of the adult riders/trainers is different in many good ways.
Brent Speichinger is the person I am talking about. He has won many rodeos and worked as a cowboy most of his life. I could not tell you all that he has accomplished but just let you know that he has. Brent is pictured above with his horse Young Joseph. Joseph is a Chincoteague, BLM cross. I used to own Young Joseph but together we just weren't a match. Joseph has a certain type of spirit about him, to good to be broken but quite wild. I was much too inexperienced to handle him. Brent, with his knowledge of how to work with horses like Joseph, tried patiently to teach me and help me. He did a good job and I think that by watching him and trying to learn from him I have become a better and more confident rider. Although in the end Joseph and I just didn't fit together.
Brent had always loved Joseph and spotted his unique characteristics. He was tireless. He liked to run. He was jumpy and scared but he was more of an althlete than anything. He was wild but a really sweet natured horse. After MUCH, MUCH work joseph is an unrecognizable horse all due to Brent. Brent has rode Joseph on many endurace rides and done really well. Together they are a really good match.
But Brent is always willing to help other riders no matter what.
As I ran up a hill on back of a Shackelford stallion, Wanchese, he tripped and my saddle slipped. I knew I was going off. So did Brent. He was off of his horse before me. I was falling but he hopped off before I knew what was happening. I had made a stupid mistake by not hooking the saddle right and I payed for it.
In the end having people like Brent as a part of the Mill Swamp family pays off. They prepare us for our horses and our horses for us. They let us choose when we are ready and just prepare us for that time.
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