You may not be familiar with Thomas Saunders, but ask movie stars Tommy Lee Jones or James Franco, and they will know him. Equine VIP spoke with Thomas at The Horseman’s Reunion – an annual event with some of the best horsemen & women sharing their knowledge about starting colts. Thomas is a sixth generation cowboy and has been sought out by ranches in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, California and even South America. His well-trained horses have been used on the movie sets of numerous films including Twelve Years a Slave, 2 Guns, Secondhand Lions and The Alamo.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START WITH HORSES?
I was blessed to be raised in a family that had country with a lot of livestock and we were raised with good horses. My Uncle had a NCHA World Champion stallion “Kings Pistol” – and that is pretty much the genetics behind our brood mare band. We had a deep respect for my Uncle and he left behind a wonderful legacy.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR WORK IN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY?
I’m fortunate enough to get a lot of movie work. I had 26 cast horses in The Alamo and gave riding lessons too. I’ve worked a lot with Tommy Lee Jones, who grew up in a town near me in Texas, and he’s been good to me. I just got off a film called “As I Lay Dying” with James Franco. I had 10 mules and 10 cast horses in that film.
WE ARE TALKING AT THE HORSEMAN’S REUNION – TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE HERE?
It’s not like it’s a competition, but some of the best horsemen & women participate and it is a chance to show your individual style of starting a colt. All the horses belong to the Twizzelman ranch. This event is different from the rest and is unique because we get our “draw” horse on Monday and work with the horse through Friday. We preview our horses on Saturday and that afternoon they are offered at auction. It’s been great to meet other horse people respected for their talent.
TELL US ABOUT THE HORSE YOU WORKED WITH?
I had a pretty tough draw. My colt was “kicky” and a good challenge, but he was trying. I think a lot of people counted me out in the beginning. Even though he was difficult in the beginning, he kept getting a little better every day so by the 6th day he “broke over” and made the turn. You need to be patient and leave that colt, at the end of each day, in a little better spot. If you don’t get to that spot, just make sure you don’t leave any trouble. Tomorrow will be better.
ANY ADVICE TO OTHERS STARTING OUT?
I was raised with some really good ranch hands and fortunate to come up on a ranch that had good horses. In order to make a good horse, you need to know what a good horse is!
For more information about Thomas B Saunders www.bigoteproductions.com
