I could find nothing current on GaWaNi Pony Boy. But I did discover this on a NAFPS forum. (NAFPS is an organization dedicated to debunking fraudulent claims of knowledge or connections to actual Native American doctrine and practices.) He's your basic Natural Horsemanship Guru using the "Native American Ways" as a marketing twist. The marketing "Native" aspect. His name was Kevin Anthony Morell until he had it changed in 1998. He's of Italian and "can trace his Cherokee heritage through his mother's line" but claims to use Lakota horsemanship and the Lakota language. He's from Pennsylvania (where his dad's Italian restaurant is and where he had to go to legally change his name) and says he also grew on a Cherokee reservation in North Carolina. He sells pretty pictures of himself and horses all dressed up in misappropriated and misused mixed up bits and pieces of various Native regalia. He has appropriated "Native American" culture to mean ANYTHING Native and uses significantly spiritual symbols or symbols that need to be "earned" as marketing techniques. As far as I know he studied marketing in college and is good at it. People who have seen him in person say he is VERY into his "role-playing" of Native-Shamanic-Guru and gets lots of middle aged white women fawning all over him. And the actual training bits. Most of his "method" is a mix of Linda Tellington-Jones with round-penning. I've never seen him in person but the general opinion of folks who have is that he has little to no sense of timing or ability to read a horse. The reviews I found were older so perhaps he has improved. Other reviews say he wasn't bad and wasn't teaching anything wrong per se but was just your average Natural Horsemanship person and they wouldn't pay money to go back to a clinic with him. He uses a cross-under bitless "gentle and Native" bridle (similar to the Dr. Cook but an earlier model) basically the same as the "Spirit Bridle" you can buy. However he sells and markets his own super special version under his own brand (similar to the Parellis et al). Oh and he apparently founded an online equine university where you too can earn your Bachelor's in Horsemanship. And he's the editor and president of Women and Horse's Magazine. He sells bridles, saddles, clothing, DVDs, and CDs, and probably leadlines and buckets all unders his name. Not to mention you can spend several 1000 and get a Pony Boy Certified Horse (is that like a pre-owned certified car?)
I don’t care what his ancestry is. He knows, lives, and loves the Native American persona and horses. He knows his stuff and it’s great that he’s sharing this culture with people even if it’s not his own. He clearly loves what he does.
I remember when this guy was very famous, years and years ago. It was when the Parellis were big, and half the people in every barn were suddenly fanatical about bitless bridles, all-forage diets, barefoot trimming, 24 hour turnout, and "being one with herd." 😂 What a freaking nightmare.
Pony Boy was mostly Italian his name was Kevin Morelli. His father didn't understand why he was saying he was Indian. Supposedly a family member told him he had a gr 5 generations or so back that was Indian. Once he was exposed he moved to the Netherlands to let it die down. He's back in the USA now back to be an Italian 😅😅😅
This is a weird video with a lot of different topics. The video title should be changed. I don't think Gawani Pony Boy should be trashed in the comments. I had never heard of him, but he's just sharing what he's learned and it all seems to be sensible information. He's not hurting anyone, or the horses.
I could find nothing current on GaWaNi Pony Boy. But I did discover this on a NAFPS forum. (NAFPS is an organization dedicated to debunking fraudulent claims of knowledge or connections to actual Native American doctrine and practices.)
He's your basic Natural Horsemanship Guru using the "Native American Ways" as a marketing twist.
The marketing "Native" aspect.
His name was Kevin Anthony Morell until he had it changed in 1998. He's of Italian and "can trace his Cherokee heritage through his mother's line" but claims to use Lakota horsemanship and the Lakota language. He's from Pennsylvania (where his dad's Italian restaurant is and where he had to go to legally change his name) and says he also grew on a Cherokee reservation in North Carolina. He sells pretty pictures of himself and horses all dressed up in misappropriated and misused mixed up bits and pieces of various Native regalia. He has appropriated "Native American" culture to mean ANYTHING Native and uses significantly spiritual symbols or symbols that need to be "earned" as marketing techniques. As far as I know he studied marketing in college and is good at it. People who have seen him in person say he is VERY into his "role-playing" of Native-Shamanic-Guru and gets lots of middle aged white women fawning all over him.
And the actual training bits.
Most of his "method" is a mix of Linda Tellington-Jones with round-penning. I've never seen him in person but the general opinion of folks who have is that he has little to no sense of timing or ability to read a horse. The reviews I found were older so perhaps he has improved. Other reviews say he wasn't bad and wasn't teaching anything wrong per se but was just your average Natural Horsemanship person and they wouldn't pay money to go back to a clinic with him.
He uses a cross-under bitless "gentle and Native" bridle (similar to the Dr. Cook but an earlier model) basically the same as the "Spirit Bridle" you can buy. However he sells and markets his own super special version under his own brand (similar to the Parellis et al).
Oh and he apparently founded an online equine university where you too can earn your Bachelor's in Horsemanship. And he's the editor and president of Women and Horse's Magazine. He sells bridles, saddles, clothing, DVDs, and CDs, and probably leadlines and buckets all unders his name.
Not to mention you can spend several 1000 and get a Pony Boy Certified Horse (is that like a pre-owned certified car?)
I don’t care what his ancestry is. He knows, lives, and loves the Native American persona and horses. He knows his stuff and it’s great that he’s sharing this culture with people even if it’s not his own. He clearly loves what he does.
Veey interesting information. I learned a lot. I wish i had this guy as a neighbor. Lol.
Haven't seen him in years!
I remember when this guy was very famous, years and years ago. It was when the Parellis were big, and half the people in every barn were suddenly fanatical about bitless bridles, all-forage diets, barefoot trimming, 24 hour turnout, and "being one with herd." 😂 What a freaking nightmare.
Pony Boy was mostly Italian his name was Kevin Morelli. His father didn't understand why he was saying he was Indian. Supposedly a family member told him he had a gr 5 generations or so back that was Indian. Once he was exposed he moved to the Netherlands to let it die down. He's back in the USA now back to be an Italian 😅😅😅
Very interesting- so different than what people do now. 😊❤
This is a weird video with a lot of different topics. The video title should be changed. I don't think Gawani Pony Boy should be trashed in the comments. I had never heard of him, but he's just sharing what he's learned and it all seems to be sensible information. He's not hurting anyone, or the horses.
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👏👏👏
interesting things are said , whished to see him ridie without iron in its Mouth ..
When was this filmed? Nice to watch him work! This is beautiful
I had the pleasure of seeing Ponyboy and Kola at Equitana around '96 or so. I don't remember him looking quite as young as he does in this footage.
I'm going to guess 1990 or so? Maybe the late 80s.
That’s Cool, I Like to Take the First one.
🥁🐴🇺🇸🔥⚔️💎🏕️🍿🌠