Powell, a native of Oklahoma, previously worked as a rodeo cowboy, ranch manager, and federal livestock inspector. He has spent the last ten years perfecting his training methods, which have their roots in his boyhood observations of wild horses.

Perhaps most important to Powell, is that the skills used in relating to horses can easily transfer into better interpersonal relationships. "There is a strong correlation between the relationship of horse and person and the relationship among people." he emphasizes. He describes it best in the book's introduction. "Every time I work with a horse and help him work through a specific problem, I see a connection to a human problem. For instance, people who keep a tight rein on their horses and never allow them to make a mistake are often controlling in their personal relationships as well. The solution to their problem is not so much working with the horse as with the owner."

Powell tells how horse training has helped people turn their own personal corners. He recalls a boy who attended a clinic at his mother's insistence. She was concerned about him traveling with the "wrong crowd" and making poor choices. When the boy tried things on his own horse that he had learned during the clinic, his success completely changed his outlook. He became self-confident and enjoyed a renewed interest in his horse and in activities with which his parents felt more comfortable.

Another client's displeasure wasn't limited to just his horse. He admitted to Powell that he had disowned his daughter because of her choice of marriage partner. Meanwhile, his horse tried very hard to learn but never seemed to satisfy the man, so Powell finally suggested that he sell him. The man was horrified at the thought. Powell couldn't help pointing out the irony of disowning his daughter, but being committed the horse. Evidently the man pondered this comment, because he eventually reconciled with his daughter and got along better with the horse.

What about Powell himself? Did he take his own advice and observations to heart? Sure did. "It took six or seven years for me to be comfortable with what I was doing," admits the man who once thought of horse training as bronc busting. "I had to get over this macho cowboy stuff and realize that I could train a horse without it. This has given me an inner strength, confidence in myself without being belligerent. It has probably helped me as much as it has helped any horse I've ever worked with. Everything I've learned about horses, I could apply to people. Rough and tough is not the way to get it dong. If I had known all this years ago, I'm sure I would have been different in all my relationships -- with my wife, my children, my friends. The whole world is trying to solve its problems with this macho pull-a-gun mentality. If you could just show some of them a better way, you could sure make a difference."

Surely a new-millenium philosophy that has a lot to offer horse lovers everywhere. The kind of common horse sense that has gotten him clinic dates in faraway places such as Australia and has helped him grow a client list that includes country music greats Reba McIntire and Tanya Tucker.

Almost a Whisper retails for $24.95 and is available directly from the publsher at 1-800-777-7257. Horse lovers everwhere will be asking for this one.

For more information, contact:

Joanne Carriera
Alpine Publications
970-667-9317 x.204
jcalpine@aol.com
http://www.alpinepub.com