Travis Dickinson on Cow Horse Training, Gratitude & Sobriety
Release Date: 03/25/2026
Travis Dickinson on Cow Horse Training, Gratitude & Sobriety
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil, with co-host Kyle Johnson, welcome trainer Travis Dickinson, who starts each day in the gym and has 12–15 horses in training, mainly reined cow horses. Travis explains the three events—herd work, reining pattern, and fence work—and he and Kyle recount how they met when Kyle sought help learning reined cow horse after moving to California. Travis describes his background from construction and a strict, successful father to pursuing horse training, defines a “bridle horse” progression, and shares key training lessons about focus, circles, and knowing when to push or quit. The...
info_outline
Reed Sykes on Learning Horsemanship, Patience, and the Pressure of Training in Public
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil welcomes Reed Sykes with co-host Kyle Johnson to The Cowboy Perspective for a conversation about horsemanship and animal training, focusing on building confidence rather than stripping it away. Reed shares his background growing up in Midland with a ranch near San Angelo, graduating from Sam Houston State after attending several universities, working in the oil field, then leaving in 2015 to train horses and dogs for the public despite initially feeling unprepared. He avoids labels like “cowboy” or “buckaroo,” emphasizing daily improvement and teaching horses to “try,”...
info_outline
Introducing the Kyle Johnson Series
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil debuts a new series of episodes co-hosted with Kyle Johnson, recorded in person around a table to highlight friends and horsemen and to help listeners connect with guests. They discuss filming Tucker Hatch putting the first ride on a colt named Wild Thang and share how to contact Tucker (Facebook/Instagram/TikTok under Tucker Hatch) and Travis Dickinson/TC Performance Horses in Red Bluff (Facebook; TikTok under Travis Dickinson), who specializes in cow horses, lessons, clinics, and plans to post more videos. They mention other guests—Isaac Diaz, Josh Beavers, and Reed Sykes/Devout...
info_outline
Darin Deaton: Businessman, Physical Therapist, Christian, Cowboy
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil interviews Darin Deaton, a physical therapist, entrepreneur, and rancher. Darin shares his shift from pre-med toward PT after observing an independent practice owner’s lifestyle, his education at Texas Woman’s University, and juggling full-time work with graduate school. He describes learning business through an early partnership, then launching his own clinic using SBA financing and a $60,000 investor check that enabled a 1998 seven-figure exit. Darin later built and sold a seven-location Fort Worth PT group (sold in 2024) and runs DPT Therapy. They discuss Deaton Ranch Beef,...
info_outline
Kevin Mock: Father, Businessman, Christian
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil reunites with entrepreneur Kevin Mock to discuss his career changes, return to podcasting in 2026, and life experiences influenced by the 'Cowboy Perspective'. Kevin dives into his multifaceted roles as a businessman and father, sharing insights from his various endeavors in the livestock industry, including Mock Livestock and Livestock Marketing Group. The conversation touches on the intersections of faith, success, and the challenges of balancing personal ambitions with Christian values. Kevin recounts his passion for high-end show animals, balancing family life, and the importance of...
info_outline
Jason Davis: Businessman, Mentor, Rancher and Dad
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil welcomes Jason Davis to discuss the 'Cowboy Perspective' and various life insights. They explore the importance of experience and learning from mistakes, foundational lessons from grandparents, and the value of real-world application over theoretical knowledge. Jason shares his personal journey from corporate life to ranching, emphasizing the significance of true wealth and life experiences. They also touch on the impact of significant personal events like the loss of a spouse, raising children, and teaching valuable life lessons. The conversation dives into concepts such as the...
info_outline
Kyle Johnson: Buckaroo, Creator, Horseman, Believer
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil welcomes Kyle Johnson from Wickenburg, Arizona, a fascinating cowboy known for his unique style and diverse experiences. They discuss Kyle's interesting journey from bareback riding to ranch work, his distinctive facial hair, and his rise in social media through 6/S Horsemanship. Kyle opens up about his background, including formative influences, challenges in his rodeo career, and how he overcame them. He also touches on deeper topics like personal identity, success, and the importance of self-respect. The episode includes anecdotes about his time in Canada, his unexpected entry into...
info_outline
#122 - Ned LeDoux: Artist, Cowboy, Christian
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
In this engaging conversation, Neil Dudley interviews Ned LeDoux, a music artist and cowboy, who shares his unique perspective on life, music, and the values instilled in him from a young age. They discuss the importance of the cowboy attitude, lessons learned from family, the journey of songwriting, and the balance between original and cover songs. Ned also opens up about spirituality, coping with loss, and the challenges of performing, all while maintaining a deep connection to his roots and heritage. Here is the link to the song Stacy and Neil danced to for their first dance at their...
info_outline
#121 - Will Hale: Cowboy, Former Button, and Money Man
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
In this episode Neil talks to Will Hale, who grew up in Guthrie, Texas, in a cowboy community. Will shares how early work experiences on a ranch, including being treated like adults and learning through real-life tasks, shaped their work ethic and perspective. These lessons translated into a successful career in the financial sector, emphasizing the importance of hard work, dedication, and relatability. Will highlights how the principles of the cowboy way are universally applicable across various professions. Visit us at www.thecowboyperspective.com Topics 00:41 Growing Up in a Cowboy...
info_outline
#120 - Jimmy Wilson: The Art of Building Concord Stagecoaches
The Cowboy Perspective an exploration of grit, servant leadership, and business philosophy with high performers!
Neil interviews Jimmy Wilson from Paradise, Texas. Jimmy shares his unique journey of building Concord stagecoaches, a trade he learned from his father-in-law, JW Brown, who constructed 60 stagecoaches during his career. Jimmy discusses the craftsmanship involved, including his enjoyment of ironwork, and narrates the fascinating story of building a custom stagecoach for the Dallas Cowboys. He also reflects on the heritage of Western traditions and the influence of mentors. Links Visit us at Jimmy Wilson: Topics 00:00 Introduction to the Cowboy Perspective 00:25 Meet Jimmy...
info_outlineNeil, with co-host Kyle Johnson, welcome trainer Travis Dickinson, who starts each day in the gym and has 12–15 horses in training, mainly reined cow horses. Travis explains the three events—herd work, reining pattern, and fence work—and he and Kyle recount how they met when Kyle sought help learning reined cow horse after moving to California. Travis describes his background from construction and a strict, successful father to pursuing horse training, defines a “bridle horse” progression, and shares key training lessons about focus, circles, and knowing when to push or quit. The talk shifts to Travis’s addiction history, 12-step recovery, two years of sobriety, faith, gratitude-list routine, and the importance of supportive partners, patience, and maintaining success.
Links
Visit us online: https://thecowboyperspective.com/
Travis Dickinson on social media: @travisdickinson
Topics
02:23 Travis Daily Routine
03:10 What Is Reined Cow Horse
04:31 Kyle Finds a Mentor
06:28 First Impressions and Intensity
09:07 Training Mindset and Progress
11:14 Horses and Dogs Talk
13:38 Slow Down in the Arena
15:56 Construction Roots and Lessons
19:31 Cowboy Lifestyle Philosophy
21:33 Early Showing and College Detour
24:51 Dad Relationship and Sensitivity
26:23 Back to Horses for Real
27:55 Bridle Horse Explained
29:47 Apprenticeship and Getting Broke
31:45 Fixing Circles and Fundamentals
34:03 Applying Concepts Across Disciplines
35:36 How Trainers Keep Learning
36:53 Chasing Big Events
37:53 Favorite Mare Story
39:20 Training Breakthroughs
41:19 Snaffle Bit Costs
42:45 Hardest Colt Lessons
44:53 When to Push or Quit
48:33 Going Off the Rails
49:38 Family Roots and Shame
52:02 Treatment and Genetics
55:35 Sobriety and Boundaries
01:02:48 Self Worth and Success
01:09:12 Gratitude and Growth
01:10:40 Daily Gratitude Routine
01:12:00 Humility In Sobriety
01:14:07 Gratitude After Success
01:16:23 God Moments And Purpose
01:19:43 Manifestation And Mindset
01:27:24 Patience In The Process
01:32:56 Partnership And Support
01:40:38 Choosing The Right Partner
01:42:27 Final Thanks And Wrap