About Seth Conley
A Student of the Horse
Seth Conley grew up around traditional, rough-and-tumble methods of starting horses. While he respected the knowledge and experience of the old-timers, he never believed that unnecessary force or rough treatment was the right way to develop a horse.
From the beginning, Seth gravitated toward a slower, more patient, and fair approach—one that gives the horse an opportunity to think, process, understand, and ultimately make a positive mental change.
Seth believes that true horsemanship is not about how quickly a horse can be made to perform. It is about developing the horse’s mind, building confidence, and creating a relationship based on trust and understanding.
A Lifetime of Learning
Seth considers himself a student of the horse first. He has traveled throughout the United States, continually learning from experienced horsemen and developing his own craft through hands-on experience.
During the winter of 2025, Seth spent time in Ocala, Florida, working alongside Cal Middleton, starting colts and helping horses with a variety of training challenges. Seth continues to learn from and study under Cal to this day.
Seth’s horsemanship has also been heavily influenced by the teachings and philosophies of horsemen he greatly respects, including:
Ray Hunt
Tom Dorrance
Peter Campbell
Martin Black
Cal Middleton
Their influence has helped shape Seth’s belief that good horsemanship is built through feel, timing, patience, understanding, and honesty.
More Than Training a Horse
Seth has worked with hundreds of horses throughout his career, helping with everything from colt starting and problem horses to finishing rope horses and developing bridle horses.
Sometimes the job is as advanced as helping finish a rope horse. Other times, it may simply be helping a horse learn to confidently load into a trailer.
Regardless of the task, Seth approaches each horse as an individual.
His training philosophy is simple:
Don’t train for speed. Train for understanding.
Seth allows horses to learn at a pace that helps them process what is being asked without unnecessary pressure. His goal is not only to create a useful horse, but a confident, trusting, and mentally prepared partner.
Carrying On the Cowboy Code
Seth’s goal extends beyond horsemanship. He strives to carry forward the values of the Cowboy Code through his everyday actions.
His priorities are simple:
First — Son of God
Second — Husband
Third — Horseman
Fourth — Cowboy
Seth believes that faith, honor, trust, respect, hard work, personal responsibility, and a firm handshake still matter in today’s world.
He believes those values should be demonstrated through actions—not simply words.
Teaching Across the Country
Seth Conley Horsemanship hosts clinics and provides private instruction throughout the United States.
His teaching includes:
Colt Starting • Horsemanship • Horse Psychology • Stockmanship • Roping • Riding • Problem Horses
Seth has conducted clinics across the country, including events in Washington and an East Coast clinic tour spanning North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Through clinics, private lessons, and individual horse training, Seth’s goal is to help both horses and riders develop a better understanding of one another.
Why Seth Does It
For Seth, horsemanship is more than a profession. It is a passion and a way of life.
He believes horses have given him more than he could ever repay, and that creates a responsibility to give something back to them.
“I feel like I owe it to them. They saved me, now I do my best to save them.”
— Seth Conley
Seth’s philosophy can be summed up in another simple belief:
“Actions speak truth. Horses understand truth.”
He strives to help every horse find confidence, understanding, and peace while showing them what they are capable of becoming.
“A horse is in search of finding peace. It’s our job to help them find it.”
And perhaps most importantly:
“We can try to help show them who they can be, but they always show us who we are.”
— Seth Conley
Keeping the Horse This Side of Worry
One of the principles Seth carries into every training session comes from Peter Campbell:
“We always want to keep our horses this side of worry. The horse might get worried, but it’s our job not to be the cause.”
— Peter Campbell
For Seth, that principle represents the heart of good horsemanship: being fair, being clear, and taking responsibility for the horse’s understanding.
The goal isn’t simply to make a horse do something.
The goal is to help the horse understand why—and become better because of it.
