In a medium-sized round pen adjacent to the arena, the skittish Tennessee walking horse looks wary as McKay opens the gate. The fidgety animal takes a tentative step forward as the horseman brings the halter over the large brown head.

"This horse wouldn't let anyone near him just a few days ago," he says, explaining that it's a matter of respect, trust and patience. "A lot of people are in too much of a hurry when they try to train their horses."