| |
Conquista Ranch |
|
|
The extreme mustang makeover |
|
|
Volnei Rodrigues works with a problem horse, laying the animal on its side and showing it love in order to gain its trust, at his farm in Webster, Fla.
His orientation shifted as he grew up - but not by much. He was fascinated by the gauchos, or Brazilian cowboys, whom he saw around his home. When he was 11, he coaxed his father into buying him a horse. Soon he was a gaucho himself and later became a veterinarian and a professor at the government-operated university.
His wife, Walkiria, dreamed of living in the United States. Six years ago, she persuaded her husband to move to Orlando with their two teenage sons, Cylon and Nei.
‘‘Once I showed him there were horses here, it was a lot easier,’’ she says.
Because he wasn’t qualified to practice as a veterinarian in this country, they both found work on the housekeeping staff of an Orlando motel. In his spare time, Volnei visited local riding stables.
‘‘Just to be around the smell of the horses,’’ he says. But also to watch for opportunity.
He waited for it with the same patience that he uses with horses. Though he saw people making mistakes - spoiling horses, shoeing them improperly - for a long time he kept quiet, learning English, waiting for the right moment.
Word of mouth traveled fast after Rodrigues first worked with Reese’s horse. He attracted the attention and respect of people such as Jon Seiler, a large-animal veterinarian who has practiced in Orlando for 34 years, and Eddie Piloto, president of the Florida Reined Cowhorse Association.
| |
The Horse Whisper |
Is NOW offering 3 day clinics with legendary horse trainer
Volnei Rodrigues
Volnei’s horse training philosophies are essential for equestrians ranging from cutting, reining, and working cow horses to barrel racing, pleasure, and dressage.
Volnei Rodrigues, a Brazilian gaucho, has established a reputation in the highly competitive field of horse training and he is now offering his 30+ years of professional experience to those interested in attending his “hands on” horse training clinics. Clinic size is kept small so Volnei can work with each participant. Call today for more information and to insure your spot!
Conquista Ranch
Breeding and Training
Volnei Rogrigues
(352) 793-6806
Or
(407) 448-9563
conquistaranch@msn.com
1349 CR 478A
Webster, Florida 33597
"Vonei Rodrigues, a Brazilian gaucho, leads a difficult horse out for a training session at his farm. He has established a reputation in the highly competitive field of horse training."
Horse sense
Former gaucho works magic with problem equines
By MICHAEL McLEOD
McCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
Donne Reese has been good with horses all her life. But there was one who eluded her efforts. He was high-strung, dangerous and impossible to control. Finally, when the horse threw her and broke her hip, Reese brought in a trainer. He injured the trainer, too.
So when the small, attentive, brown-eyed man who kept turning up in her east Orlando, Fla., stables pointed to the horse and said, ‘‘I can ride’’ in his halting English, she assumed he was speaking out of ignorance or bravado.
|
|
| Contact Us |
Conquista Ranch
1349 CR 478 A
Webster, FL 33597
(407) 448 9563
e-mail: conquistaranch@msn.com
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Crioulo Horse |
|
Performance & Power all Together
Volnei Jose Rodrigues, Riding (Quilero Mucho Mas) & Roger Barral, Riding (Butia Talento) |
|
|
More of Volnei Jose Rodrigues |
It turned out to be an understatement. Volnei Rodrigues not only rode that skittish gelding, he tamed him. Then he started working similar magic on other problem horses - horses that reared, that didn’t like children, that refused to step into trailers or out of stalls, that spooked at the sight of trash blowing in the wind, that had steadfastly resisted the efforts of others.
In the five years since he won over Reese’s horse, the 48-year-old Brazilian immigrant has worked with dozens of problem horses, developing a reputation among veterinarians, owners and even other trainers as a man with a gift for understanding how horses think
.
‘‘There are certain people in the world who are just naturals,’’ says Reese.
‘‘It’s not all technique. It’s in your soul.’’
Volnei Rodrigues works with a problem horse, laying the animal on its side and showing it love in order to gain its trust, at his farm in Webster, Fla.
|
|
|
