Maria and I wish all of you a happy and healthy, peaceful and prosperous 2007. "Muchas gracias" to all of you who have come to see me perform at the various horse fairs and expos I've attended around the country this past year. We appreciate those of you who showed your faith and confidence in us by buying our Have Saddle-Will Travel, Innovative Outfitter, "Born to Ride" products; our Don West Pleasure-Trail Saddles and Training-Trail Tack, Storm Riders Clothes Line, and Saddle Software Systems, Cordura saddlebags, packs and accessories. THANK YOU!

I want to extend my personal "thanks" to all the folks who came to West Gait Equine Learning Center for one of my "Come Ride With Me!", Training for Trail Riding, Paso and Naturally Gaited Horse Intensives, or those who attended one of my "Easy Rider", Paso and Naturally Gaited Horse, Training for Trail Riding, Weekend Workshops. It's been my genuine pleasure to have been "your equine success coach", Your Learning Leader for Equine Adventure. To all of you who have read my books and/or magazine articles, and those who have called or e-mailed me with your questions, compliments or complaints, I want you to know that I appreciate your trust, praise, and your confidence.  

But let me remind you again, as I have often done in the past, your horse is really your best teacher. Listen to him (or her). Think about what you are being told, and learn. Remember, knowledge and mastery are not the same thing. Accumulating more and more knowledge does not equate with mastery. Mastery can only be achieved by first hand, hands on experience. Repetition is the mother of skill, that's true, but only if it is right repetition. Want to become a good rider? Learn my "basic building blocks of horsemanship", "horse handling- horse sense", and "synergistic- synchronistic riding" principles, and apply them to the equine/human relationship... then practice, practice, practice. 

And finally, for those of you who invested in one of our wonderful  Peruvian Paso or Paso-Pleasure (Mountain Pleasure/ Peruvian Paso) Horses this past year, I send you my best wishes. I send these horses into your good keeping with the trust and hope that you will give them the same love, affection, and understanding that they have had all there lives, living here at West Gait Equine Learning Center. Those of you who know us know that our horses are like family to us. We send them off to their new homes as though they were our own children who are leaving the nest, with both joy and sadness.

Maria and I hope that 2007 will be a safe and satisfying adventure for all of you... and for us too!     May you always ride a good horse, and may you ride him well. Happy trails! 

Saddle Up -- Let's Ride!

Don West

HAVE SADDLE-WILL TRAVEL Book Special

Was $19.95. Now $14.95 Get 'em while they last!

We have just had the opportunity to buy a bunch of Don's award winning book, "Have Saddle- Will Travel, Low Impact Trail Riding and Horse Camping" at a reduced price. We are going to pass this savings along to you, our special customers. The book lists for, and is selling in book stores, etc. for $19.95. As long as they last, you can get them, autographed (from us) for $14.95. This book is not only educational, it's a real kick to read. Buy one for yourself, and get a few to give as gifts to your "horsey" friends. Even if you don't (or can't) read, the pictures are worth the money!