Today we’d like to introduce you to Darrell Gardner.
Hi Darrell, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story begins with my love for horses. From the beginning, I wanted to understand the horse instead of just trying to control it. The more time I spent around horses, the more they taught me about patience, trust, communication, and humility.
What started as a passion eventually became my way of life. Being able to work with horses every day and help them become more confident is something I’m truly thankful for. I’ve learned that every horse has a story, and sometimes you just have to slow down enough to listen.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Well, it definitely hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had hard days, made mistakes, faced disappointments, and had times when I questioned myself. But when I look back now, I realize those moments were necessary.
The hard times taught me just as much as the good times did. Every mistake gave me something to learn from, and every horse helped me grow. I’ve learned that being a good horseman isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about being willing to learn every single day.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’m a horse trainer, but to me, it’s much more than just training a horse. I work with colt starting, problem horses, tune-ups, groundwork, and helping horses build confidence.
I believe every horse is different. You can’t take one program and expect it to work perfectly for every horse. I try to understand the horse in front of me and figure out what that individual horse needs.
I take my time. I pay attention to the little things. I believe trust has to be earned, not demanded.
My goal isn’t simply to make a horse do something. My goal is to help that horse understand what I’m asking, become confident, and learn to trust me. When you build that kind of relationship, everything starts to change.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice is to find people you respect and spend time around them. Look at how they work, how they treat people, and how they handle things when the day doesn’t go as planned. That tells you a lot more than a title does.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or be the least experienced person in the room. Show up, offer a hand, listen, and follow through. A lot of good relationships start with working alongside someone and learning as you go.
I’d approach networking the same way: take a real interest in people without expecting something right away. Whether you’re at a barn, across a fence, or at a business event, being dependable and easy to talk to goes a long way. You don’t have to know everybody. Start with a few good people and take care of those relationships.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FbUhA6Hsx/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Twitter: @DGHORSEMANSHIP
