Horse whisperer

Above, Paul Daily worked with This Doc’s a Rockin’ at an exhibition in Princeton
–Photo Furnished

After selections from the Happy Trails Ministry, the real star of the Horse Whisperer presentation was This Doc’s a Rockin’, making an appearance that made the audience gasp, by stepping on a dog wearing a red kerchief, whose prime mission seemed to be running at the horse’s feet and barking madly. Apparently the kick didn’t injure the dog, who was already limping, but it made the audience wary for the rest of the evening.
Paul Daily, the horse whisperer, calmly took charge of the situation with soothing words and gentle movements, as during the course of the show, horse and man became closer through what Daily reaffirmed numerous times, “The horse must come to me because he wants to—not because I have to force him or mistreat him in any way. I just have to love him and be patient with him, until he knows it and understands what I want him to do.”
The gospel singers often encouraged the audience to sing along with old-time favorites such as “O Come, Come Angel Band,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and “Wayfaring Stranger.” The younger audience may have wondered why they were the only ones who didn’t know the words of the closing audience participation song, “Happy Trails to You,” as Roy and Dale haven’t hosted the Roy Rodgers Show in a long time.
Opening the program was eighth grader, Ty Young, from Princeton, deftly riding her horse, Little Man. Having taken her first trail ride at the age of 6 months, Young and Little Man brought the audience members to attention as the veterans were recognized, and everyone participated in The Pledge of Allegiance and the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Meagan Stallion, also from Princeton, introduced her horse, This Doc’s a Rockin’, to the audience as a 3-year-old, who appeared “just as he has been at home.” Later, she indicated that he would be trained as a barrel racer.
As the show proceeded, Daily constantly worked with the horse, having him travel in one direction and then another with a companion horse. Once the companion horse left the ring, the horse was taken through his paces by standing in certain areas, walking in certain directions, and learning his quiet lessons by following his master. Again and again, Daily affirmed, “He has to learn to do it because he wants to.” Before everyone’s eyes, the horse who had so rudely entered the ring, became the horse that Daily believed him to be.
As the evening progressed, the audience members realized that not only the horse, but also they were being addressed as Daily repeated, “The whole world is watching you – whatever you do – people will know. Let go, and let God.” Daily’s message was, “ . . .to watch with me as this horse learns and see if you agree that these same lessons apply to us.”
Presented locally by HR Ministries, returning from popular demand, the horse whisperer, Paul Daily, may be contacted at www.wildhorseministries.com.