MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) A steady hand guides step by step. The process from the first training exercises to show time is one of dedicated and loving teaching.
Juan Mahut is the Master of Horse at the Myrtle Beach castle of Medieval Times. He says it’s about building confidence with the new animals
“If I’m nervous then he’s nervous,” Mahut said.
As challenges are faced, lessons are learned.
“Sometimes horses don’t want to do what you want but it’s for one reason, maybe sick sore or he never tried before,” Mahut said.
The process will take about two years before the new horses are ready for the show. The eventual majestic sit of a perfected perfomance continues to thrill fans at Medieval Times.
“In the show with him we are two its only one,” Mahut said.
A finished product once fostered in those first few steps. Juan says it’s like a human going to the gym. He is helping the horse build muscles and gain confidence.
They are lessons hidden away from the packed house of showtime yet vital instruction on the way to that ultimate goal in the bright spotlight.
“He understands really fast what I want,” Mahut said of the horses.ABOUT THE TWO NEW HORSES AT MEDIEVAL TIMES IN MYRTLE BEACHLirico and Manuel are the newest additions to the Medieval Times family in Myrtle Beach.Lirico is a 3 year old Andalusian that comes from the Chapel Creek Ranch in Sanger, Texas. The Andalusian stallions featured at Medieval Times are born, raised and retired at the 240 acre ranch that is owned and operated by Medieval Times.
Manuel is a 3 year old Friesian from the Netherlands. Manuel has joined the Castle team to understudy Xeros, the only other Friesian horse at the Castle. Xeros is 19 year old Friesian that is set to retire to Chapel Creek Ranch in the near future.“It will take about two years of training before the horses will be ready for the show” said Juan Lahut, Horse Trainer for Medieval Times.The relationship between the horses and trainers is a powerful one. The Master of the Horses spends years working with the royal horses, training them to stay true and strong in the most heated moments of battle. Each horse, no matter the breed, has its own personality. The Master of Horses works with their temperaments, helping the bashful to grow bolder and the wild to grow tamer. The Master of Horses uses these personalities to help pair the horses with the right rider.With the two new additional the Castle is honored to be home to a total of 23 horses.
