Interview with Joan Cole

Partial Transcript: Can you go back and share some stories of being a young nurse at the nursing home where you met Mr. Sam Tuttle?

Segment Synopsis: Cole talks about being a nurse. She could not afford a horse at the time, but she knew she wanted a Rocky Mountain Horse. She talks about how she knew Sam Tuttle and how she met Fonzie Graham at a horse sale in Richmond Ky.

Keywords: Fonzie Graham; Madison County; Richmond KY; Rocky Mountain Horses; Sam Tuttle

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Partial Transcript: Joan, did you have any experience with horses when you bought that first mare; or was it all between you and the horse, learning how to..?

Segment Synopsis: Cole talks about how she did not have any prior experience with horses before getting her horse. She then talks about the differences in behavior between Rocky Mountain Horses and other breeds.

Keywords: breed characteristics; horse temperament; horse training; Rocky Mountain Horses; thoroughbred

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Partial Transcript: What do you do to get your horses ready on the ground before you put them under saddle, in terms of the groundwork training?

Segment Synopsis: Cole describes different training techniques she uses to desensitize horses and prepare them for unexpected situations.

Keywords: bridling; horse behaviors; horse training; Rocky Mountain Horses; saddle

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Partial Transcript: Communication with the horse, what is your general philosophy?

Segment Synopsis: Cole talks about how your stance can communicate a lot to a horse. She then talks about how she does not see the need for a whip or spurs.

Keywords: horse behaviors; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: A little bit about Fonzie Graham, the man, you've had about 4 or 5?

Segment Synopsis: Cole tells a story about Fonzie Graham's willingness to let her make payments on a horse that she could not afford to buy outright.

Keywords: Fonzie Graham; Mares; Rocky Mountain Horses; Stallions

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Partial Transcript: Did you breed for certain characteristics in your horses?

Segment Synopsis: Cole talks about how she bred for personality, temperament, conformation, and gait.

Keywords: breed characteristics; horse conformation; Rocky Mountain Horse Association; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: Could you just share a little bit about your decision to cut down on your herd and to look towards retirement?

Segment Synopsis: Cole talks about how fewer people were trail riding, so she did not see the reason in having so many horses that weren't getting ridden. She talks about how if she is going to retire the horses then she might as well retire too.

Keywords: horse care; trail riding

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Partial Transcript: Anything else you would like to talk about or share that we didn't cover?

Segment Synopsis: Cole talks about how she wonders how she will do when Star Dust Mountain, who is twenty-seven, passes away. She then talks about some of her memories of Star Dust Mountain.

Keywords: Horse-Human Relationship; Rocky Mountain Horses

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Partial Transcript: What would you like to share for the record?

Segment Synopsis: Cole shares her hopes for the preservation of the Rocky Mountain Horse breed.

Keywords: Rocky Mountain Horses

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