Those who think they have nothing in common with a horse may be surprised at what Paul Daily of Wild Horse Ministries has to say when he visits Clarkston in August.
The man some call a ‘horse whisperer? claims discoveries of many parallels between people and horses he uses to teach Christian lessons.
‘The horse is a mirror with hair on it. I can see myself in the horse,? said Daily.
Daily is the founder of Wild Horse Ministries, a nonprofit organization coming to Michigan for the first time to put on his free show meant to encourage and help people with their lives.
The show provides an overt Christian message to the audience while Daily shares a silent communication with an area horse that’s never been ridden. As Daily ‘works? the horse, he explains the ‘Round Pen of Life? to the audience, pointing out similarities between man’s relationship with God and the horse’s relationship with the trainer.
By the end of the show Daily said the horse will allow him to saddle up and ride around the 50-foot pen. Occasionally, Daily can get the horse to totally submit and lie down on the ground.
‘It’s a God-given talent to be able to communicate with the horses. There’s no trickery or hocus-pocus, it’s an everyday life thing,? said Daily.
Daily said the show offers something to people of all ages, whether they own a horse or not. There will also be gospel music playing throughout the performance.
‘A lot of people come to see just a few minutes, but find themselves engrossed and can’t leave,? said Daily.
Eschewing the title of preacher, Daily refers to himself as a ‘country boy? and ‘old oil man.?
Wild Horse Ministries? first demonstration was on February 22, 1997 at Daily’s home near Jena, Louisiana. Daily has loved and worked with horses his whole life and is referred to as a ‘horse whisperer? due to the techniques he uses to train horses.
In May of 2000, Daily retired from the oil fields and took up training horses full-time when a change in the company’s vacation policy eliminated the one day vacations and three-day weekends he used to take.
Since then, Wild Horse Ministries gained a reputation through word of mouth. The nonprofit organization does not advertise, yet has performed in nearly 30 states, as well as Canada and South America.
Despite a language barrier, Daily called the ten shows over a three week period in South America a success.
‘We had to work through an interpreter, but it all worked out. I could not speak their language and they couldn’t speak mine. You could tell by their faces they were grasping what was going on,? said Daily.
Daily brings his Wild Horse Ministries to town via Oakland Woods Baptist Church on Maybee Road. Pastor Bob Galey said bringing Daily to Clarkston took three years.
‘It’s a Christian message he will preach while he’s doing this. We’re trying to get the gospel out to as many people as we can? A lot of people have horses in the area and are away on weekends missing church. This is a way to reach that subculture,? said Galey.
Galey said a $5 dollar donation is suggested to offset the cost of bringing W.H.M. to Clarkston. Those attending can expect a free hot dog and soft drink.
For more information, call 248-625-7557. Oakland Woods Baptist Church is located at 5628 Maybee Road.