clear and definitive in what he communicates to the horse, and he waits for the reaction and adjusts accordingly and immediately which makes him more of a horse listener or a horse reader. The goal, Jose explains, is to “end each session better than when we started. A rider needs to feel each horse. The world of feel is the ideal!”


Left: This seven-year-old gelding has a world class pedigree for dressage along with the confor- mation to compete at the upper levels. Unfortunately he was not started well and had learned to run through the aids, resist at the poll and be rigid through his body, all of which prevented him from engaging behind. Right: In short order, Jose Alejos had the horse much more relaxed and attentive, even though he was asked to go outside as a thunderstorm was rolling in. Jose’s work provided the current trainer with a basis from which to move forward, to continue to refine the aids and to encourage the horse to use his natural movement.


with young horses, which will allow our advanced trainers to progress faster and smoother.” Wendy Johnston, who has brought a horse to the Young


Horse Training Series each year, claims, “The series has saved me $10,000 in training fees...easily. Jose has great skills and is professional. He imprinted each horse so that the next rider or trainer could continue.” A person might be inclined to think of Jose as a horse whisperer, but that would not be truly accurate. He is very


Spreading the Word Jose says that both programs fit with a major goal in his life: to see young horse trainers be successful. “People should see what we are doing, espe- cially young trainers. Eventually there will be more consistency of product without gimmicks,” he remarks.


Like other trainers specializing in young horses, Jose


Alejos is eager to help bring consistent training standards for youngsters to the American market. It’s something breeders, breed organizations and, of course, buyers can all agree on even if they sometimes disagree on the details. As Julie sums it up, “The more educated we all are, the


better job we are going to do for our horses.” And really, who can argue with that?


8


Warmbloods Today 51


Photos by jwequine.com


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