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When Buster and Sheryl met, he was working for the 6666 Ranch, where he’d grown up and she lived on the Heatly Ranch, north of Paducah. Both coming from ranching backgrounds, they hit it off immediately and have been married over 40 years. They have 2 daughters, Tiffany and Misty.
Their ideas on horsemanship changed dramatically in 1985, when the 6666 hired Ray Hunt to come help the cowboys start their colts. Ray became a friend and mentor to the McLaurys for the next 25 years.
They worked on and managed ranches until going out on their own in 1996. The clinics started in ‘97 when people began asking for some help with their horses. They also started a “custom colt starting business,” traveling to big horse outfits and starting several hundred colts a year.
The couple bought a place of their own in 2001. Buster says, “We lived in that horse trailer somewhere between VT and CA more than we lived at home, but that’s where the mail came!”
“We went the first 10 years and started 400-500 colts a year. As the clinics picked up, there was less time for the colt business. I can confidently say we’ve started over 10,000 head. I won’t say we’re better at getting a bunch of colts riding around than anybody else, but we’re a helluva lot more experienced than most!”
The colt starting slowed considerably 2-3 years ago when 3 of our biggest customers had dispersal sales. We didn’t look for new customers. Help is hard to find and 200-300 colts a winter is a lot of work! We just work a few at home between Thanksgiving and the first of February when we go to the Parker Ranch in HI and start their colts.
The McLaurys consider themselves students of the horse. “We’re always thinking, watching, experimenting….
The more we learn, the more we see there is to learn.”
Buster & Sheryl McLaury
Presentations
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Friday, April 28
8:40am to 10:30am Coliseum Arena Colt Starting
1:00pm to 2:00pm DNR Building (Lecture Room) Meet Buster and Sheryl McLaury
Talk with opportunity for audience
questions.
3:00pm to 5:00pm Compeer Arena Horsemanship
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Saturday, April 29
8:40am to 10:30am Coliseum Arena Colt Starting
1:30pm to 3:00pm Coliseum Arena Horsemanship
4:00pm to 5:00pm DNR Building (Lecture Room) Meet Buster
and Sheryl McLaury
Talk with opportunity for audience
questions.
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Sunday, April 30
10:30am to Noon Coliseum Arena Colt Starting
1:00 to 2:30 Coliseum Arena Horsemanship
3:00pm to 4:00pm DNR Building (Lecture Room) Meet Buster
and Sheryl McLaury
Talk with opportunity for audience questions.
Demo Horses for Buster McLaury at Expo
No stallions
A. Colt Starting
Sheryl & Buster will work together to build the
colts’ confidence in being caught, saddled, mounted and ridden. They
will work on laying the foundation for go, stop, turn and back up. They
use no particular “method,” but rather let the horse tell them where he
needs help understanding what’s expected of him.
Ideal applicant: halter broke 2-3 year old quarter type. (need two)
Cost for stall, bedding and sessions: $250. Stall contract
required.
Info about bringing horse to
Expo: http://mnhorseexpo.org/pdf/horsestall.pdf
Email kathy@mnhorseexpo if interested.
B. General Horsemanship
The horsemanship class will focus on better and more
effective communication between horse & rider. Sheryl & Buster
will discuss and demonstrate the basic exercises the participants will
be asked to do. Focus will be on getting in time with the horse’s feet,
smooth transitions and use of your reins and body to achieve better
communication so that your horse can become a willing partner. Sheryl
& Buster believe good horsemanship is good horsemanship no matter
what kind of horse or saddle you ride.
Limited to 10 experienced riders who want to improve
communication with their horse.
(1 ½ hour to 2 hour group session each
day of Expo)
Cost for stall, bedding and sessions
$250. Stall contract required.
Info about bringing horse to Expo: http://mnhorseexpo.org/pdf/horsestall.pdf
Application Form link: Click here
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