A Partnership Built on Trust

In Downunder Horsemanship’s recent video release “Shana and Marty at Liberty,” Professional Clinician Shana Terry and her American Quarter Horse gelding Marty put on a stunning display of the partnership they share. Without the use of a halter or lead rope, Shana plays with Marty on an obstacle course and does tricks with him. The video can be watched on the Downunder Horsemanship YouTube channel, DUHorseman.

Shana has been a Clinton Anderson Professional Clinician since 2009 and began studying the Downunder Horsemanship Method in 1997. Her partnership with Marty began in 2011, when she started him under saddle. Although Marty was bred to excel in reining, it was evident early in his career that he wasn’t passionate about it. “It’s really important to find what a horse enjoys and what he’s good at doing. Marty had a lot of natural charisma and energy, and Clinton told me that if I ever wanted to learn the liberty portion of his training method, I was never going to find a better horse than Marty to work with,” Shana says.

Today, Shana and Marty showcase their partnership at Downunder Horsemanship events, putting on trick and liberty training demonstrations. Their performance at the 2016 Ranch Rally earned them a standing ovation.

“Often, I’ll see Shana working with Marty on the obstacle course at the ranch, teaching him something new, and I’ll stop what I’m doing to watch them. They’re a phenomenal team – she’s great with him and he loves working with her. They’re a perfect example of what the Downunder Horsemanship Method is all about, which is bringing horses and humans together to form great partnerships,” Clinton says.