Jack Hennig
It takes grit and guts to stick with training horses for any amount of time, but for Jack Hennig, the drive to compete has kept him with it for well over 50 years. The man who grew up in Texas and now resides in Zolfo Springs, Florida, can’t remember a time he didn’t have horses.
Jack was introduced to Appaloosas in 1962 when he took a job on a ranch in Florida that raised Appaloosas. It was the beginning of a long, successful partnership. Though he trains other breeds, Appaloosas continue to be part of his program. “I’ve always enjoyed being the underdog,” Jack says. “Usually when you’re riding an Appaloosa in open competition, you’re the underdog!”
His resume is full of events like calf roping and reined cow horse, and he’s competed in the National Reining Horse Association, the National Reined Cow Horse Association and many Appaloosa events. “I love to compete,” Jack says. “On an individual basis, that’s why I like calf roping… You’re out there by yourself; it’s up to you to do it.”
Q| Describe your training philosophy.
One thing is a lot of wet saddle pads. Certainly as I’ve gotten older, and hopefully smarter, sometimes less is better. I just try to get the horse to do what they like to do… Fit a horse to a rider, a rider to a horse. Goes both ways.
Q| Ford, Chevy or Dodge?
Ford
Q| Who’s the best Appaloosa you’ve ever saddled?
No doubt that would be High Sign. He was a very personable horse. There aren’t many horses that maintain that level of competitiveness over that period of time.
Q| What’s your training schedule?
Of course in my age, I don’t ride as many horses or hours as I did 30 years ago. Basically all my life it’s been a one-person thing; I worked a good 10 hours a day. Sometimes a lot longer than that.
Q| What profession would you choose if you couldn’t train horses?
I graduated college with a degree in agricultural education, so it probably would’ve been along the lines of being a teacher in agriculture.
Q| What’s your favorite brand of boots?
I have a pair of Ariat and Lucchese, but work boots or whatever feels the best.
Q| What makes you a unique trainer?
I’ve tried to change with the times, because what we were doing 40 years ago is a lot different from what we do now on a lot of things. But the most unique thing about me is the longevity of training horses. Not many people have been doing it this long. I can remember breaking colts for people when I was 15, and I’m 74 now.
Q| What can’t you live without: e-mail, cell phone or MP3 player?
I did without all those things until my wife got sick, then I had to get a cell phone. It gets aggravating, but once you get used to it, it’s hard to be without it.
Q| If you could train anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’ve been here for 50 years…and I really have no desire to train anywhere else.
Q| How would you like to be remembered?
That I try to show each horse to the best of his ability that day. I’ve tried not to let myself get into the attitude of beating someone or some horse, because you defeat yourself. But if you show your horse to the best of its ability, you let the chips fall where they may.
Q| What’s your favorite Appaloosa coat pattern?
If I had my druthers, it’d be a blanket. But I really have no preference.
