HAPPY HILL STABLE, AZLE ,TEXAS ~817 994 1324 ~ dubandlinda@gmail.com

EXPERIENCE AND HEART

HAVE PRODUCED EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING

Dub has a love of horses that he learned as a child growing up on a farm in Oklahoma.  They had no electricity, no tractors, no Walmart.  His family farmed and traveled using horse power.  Dub's father taught him that the horses and mules come first.  They were fed, watered, bathed and bedded before anyone ate, slept or went to school.  One of Dub's chores was to husk the corn so they could eat it more easily.  He picked peas and peanuts for the hogs and carried them from the field.  Water came from a hand driven well pump, and it took Dub and his older bother, Otis, to ride that handle until all the troughs were filled. 

He rode everywhere he went from the age of 5.  As an adolescent, he left home with his horse and earned a good living roping and riding broncs and bulls.  At the age of 24 he discovered a miracle; he could actually get paid to ride horses.  He was hired by Mr. Turner of Circle T Ranch, Roanoke, Texas to ride and show Tennessee Walking horses.  He has been doing it ever since. 

 While with Mr. Turner, he had the priviledge of training Triple Threat, and in later years he trained and showed his son, Mr. Triple Threat.  Dub ran his own training barn in Dallas and Garland, Texas, in the 60's and 70's, but due to health and family matters he gave up his business and worked for other owners.  Presently, his health is good, and he feels fortunate to be able to do what he loves best; ride horses at his Happy Hill Stable.

This biographic snap shot gives you an idea of Dub's understanding of horses and his work ethic.  He rides customer horses every day.  Rain or shine, cold or hot.  His vast experience with gaited horses is unmatched, and he has great skill in developing horses for pleasure riding or for show.

The goal of Happy Hill Stable is to provide excellent service for its customers and humane, sound training for its horses.

A BABY'S FIRST LESSON

Weanlings are gently taught to enjoy handling and to respect authority.  This colt has learned that man can be trusted, and he is curious to learn more.  We recommend not starting colts under saddle until age 2, unless they are large and mature for their age.  Younger or small horses can be started by driving. 

This handsome bay boy was brought in to get an "adjustment".  Like many contemporary TWs with champion performance show horses in their background, CT liked to pace.  Pacing is fine for the horse, but not so fine for the rider, so Betty brought him to see if his gait could be improved.  Dub changed the shape of his foot, his shoes, his bit, and rode, rode, rode.  We are happy to report that after going home, Betty took him on a long ride with her group, and he did great.  CT just gaited up a storm and much more to her liking!

This horse has a show quality pleasure gait.  Big striding behind and very deep headshake that starts at the shoulder.  His relaxed, natural headset is well suited for the Trail Pleasure division, but he can be collected up in the bridle and compete in Lite Shod.

Dub has fine tuned his gait and he is now earning a reputation as an outstanding show horse, earning blue ribbons in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado.  He is presently ranked second in the nation in Trail Pleasure high points, with the National Walking Horse Association.