Horse trainer JD Wing’s demonstrations are drawing crowds at the Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo, which continues Friday at the Expo Complex west of Great Bend.

“Training a horse the proper way is extremely important,” said Wing, from Tee Cross Ranch in Pueblo, Colo. “It allows the animal to be able to communicate with the rider in a more fluid manner, which makes the animal more comfortable with commands.”
Wing reviewed basic pre-ride procedures, making sure all the equipment on the horse fit properly, setting the saddle on the horse the right way and pulling the straps snug.
“It is very important that your gear is on the horse correctly. I see a lot of horses with the back strap that holds the saddle on too loose. If the horse tries to kick up to its belly, its leg can get hung up in the strap and this can be very dangerous,” Wing said. “Making sure everything is in working order just makes for a safer ride.”
Wing talked about different ways he has found to train a horse. He is able to communicate with the horse just through body movements instead of pulling on the reins. This makes the animal go in the direction the rider wants with less stress on the animal.
“The horse can feel a fly land on it, so it can really feel your movements,” Wing said. “I learned that the calmer I stay the calmer the horse will stay and the better it will follow commands.”
Wing performed his demonstration riding a 3-year-old mare he is training for cow-horse events. Later it will be a working ranch horse.
“We don’t treat the horses any different. If they will be in shows or just a ranch horse they are treated in the same manner. For example, even though this horse is in training for an event it still gets used on the ranch for ranching duties,” Wing said.

Friday's shows

There is still time to catch Wing and his show at the Great Bend Ranch Expo. He is in Expo III and his shows will be at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday.
Gates open a 9 a.m. and the Beer Garden opens at 11. Other scheduled programs include K-State speaker Anita Dille discussing cover crop as weed control at 11:30 a.m.; stock dog demonstrations at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and bull rider/entertainer Dale Brisby at 1 p.m. The show closes at 4 p.m.

Wing and the ranch
JD Wing is the head horse trainer for the Tee Cross Ranches. The famous Tee Cross brand was the first brand registered in the state of Colorado and is known for its quarter horses and cattle operations.
The Tee Cross Ranches were nominated for AQHA’s Best Remuda Award. This award recognizes ranching operations that have produced their own breeding program of outstanding quarter horses used not only on the ranch, but in competition around the world.