Today we’d like to introduce you to Shamus Haws
Hi Shamus, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born into a ranching family. My parents say that they first held me upon a horse the day I was brought home from the hospital. By the age of 6 years old, I was showing in and doing quite well in youth horse shows and rodeos. By the age of 11, I had started my first colt. Soon after I was riding colts and training horses for the general public. I have been ranching, riding and training horses in western discipline ever since.
Years ago, I was approached by several local ranchers and horse enthusiasts about teaching a colt starting and a horsemanship clinic. Ever since then I have been able to share my methods by doing colt starting, horsemanship, confidence building, body control and cow working clinics all over the country. I have been noted for my sense of humor and my helpful analogies that often bring the language of great horsemanship into everyone’s realm of understanding. I have also been showing in the AQHA, specializing in Ranch Riding, Ranch Horse Versatility, Reining and Reined Cow Horse.
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?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Ranching and training horses is a hard way of life. Animals need fed everyday, whether its a blizzard outside or scorching hot. There are no days off. Its hard exhausting work for often little pay, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
We’ve been impressed with Running U Livestock and Shamus Haws Horsemanship., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Knowing that there was a better way to communicate with horses, I began my journey to gain more knowledge and better my horsemanship skills when I was in my early twenties. This search resulted in a commitment to work with horses for a better change, not only for the horse but also within myself. I have taken every opportunity I can to ride with and learn from other great and talented horsemen. Now with more than 35 years of horse training and ranching experience, I am always very eager to share my knowledge, and the knowledge that I have learned from spending time with other great horseman such as Bryan Neubert, Joe Wolter, and many others, along with the influences of Ray Hunt and the Dorrance Brothers. I feel that I am and always will be a continual student of Horsemanship; as you can never gain enough knowledge. My goal with every colt I start or horse I ride is to help them be soft, supple, balanced, quiet, willing and responsive. I love the challenge of convincing horses to “want to” rather than “have to”. I personally train 75-100 horses per year for myself and for the public, teach horsemanship clinics all over the world and show horses across the country.
My wife, Jolyn and I also own and operate Running U Quarter Horses, Inc. This is a fifth generation, family owned, working horse and cattle ranch, located in Western Utah. I have been running the day-to-day operations of the 30,000+ acre ranch and crew for the past 30 years and I am very proud of the great foundation bred Quarter Horses that we raise. Running U is one of the oldest ranches in Utah and one of larger Quarter Horse ranches in the western United States. I oversee 10 breeding stallions, 150+ broodmares, over 200 head of horses total and a commercial herd of cattle. Between my clinics, the ranch, horse training, showing and on the occasion that I get to compete in a ranch roping event, I get the pleasure of spending 300+ days in the saddle each year.
I always tell my clients that when you connect and gain that willing partnership with your horse, you can control the mind, feet, and body of a horse. This is key to safety and all maneuvers. I am so thankful that I get to help people on a very personal level with a journey that can lead to a better and safer partnership between horse and rider. It is so rewarding to show people another way of handling their horse; a better, safer way. Without horsemanship, problems with a horse can be just an accident away from people getting hurt. People often get so focused on the end result they are trying to achieve, that they do not see the real problem.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is finding a career that you love and being able to share your message with others. I was always told to “find something you are passionate about. Something you would do even if you didn’t get paid for it”. I have found this in my job. I have been blessed to teach people and horses and also to raise my family in this western way of life. My first love is my family, but my second is and always will be horses. This love has led me to many great opportunities and people, and I have been blessed to be able to share it with many in a positive and influential way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shamushaws.com and www.runninguquarterhorses.com
