Virginia horse person of the day

Meet Doug Sloan: Animal wrangler and stuntman

We celebrate Doswell resident Doug Sloan, an animal wrangler/stuntman who has worked on more than 40 films. He is also one of the people behind the in-the-works PBS series “Virginia Trails.” For details on that series, visit www.virginiatrailstv.com.

YouTube-Video

Doug shares five horse training tips:

 

1. Recognize the real problem not the symptoms.

2. Resistance is the root of all evil.

3. 90/10 rule. Be 90 percent sure your horse is ready for what you are going to ask. The 10 percent is: Can it hurt?

4. What you get on the ground will show up when you are on your horse.

5. Relax. Fake it till you can learn to relax and your horse will too.

More on Doug

Name: Doug Sloan.

Born: In Missouri.

Current residence: Doswell.

Family: Wife, Claudia. Two children, five grandchildren.

Pets: Dogs, cats, chickens, pigs, turkey, lovebird, goats.

Horses: 12 horses, one mule, one donkey.

Occupation: Animal wrangler/stuntman.

What is your “claim to fame”? I have worked as a head animal wrangler and or stuntman in over 40 films.

Hobbies: I was a Civil War re-enactor and love all kinds of history.

Philosophy on life: Enjoy each day or change it.

Best horse advice ever received: From a clicker trainer and it deals with pressure.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I played the violin in school.