Smith Horsemanship began from a lifelong passion that started when Roan Smith was just five years old, spending holidays on a farm in South Africa. What began as fascination quickly grew into calling. Years later, when Roan found himself struggling with his own horse, that challenge became the turning point that led him to his first mentor, Theus Badenhorst. Under Theus’s guidance, Roan learned not only to understand horses, but to truly communicate with them. As his knowledge grew, Roan started helping others facing the same frustrations he once had. What began as a few lessons soon became something much bigger: a purpose. Teaching people how to train horses using the natural principles God placed in creation became the foundation of Smith Horsemanship. Our Philosophy: Everything we do is built on biblical principles. Roan believes that God designed nature with clear, consistent laws, and those laws apply to both people and horses. By understanding and honoring them, harmony and progress follow naturally. At Smith Horsemanship, we don’t believe there’s only one way to train. Every horse and human is different, and our job is to find the most practical, effective, and fair way forward. Compassion, patience, and wisdom matter more than dominance or ego. Experience and Growth: Roan has worked with all kinds of horses: wild, problem, young, and advanced. While competition never interested him (it feeds the ego more than the spirit), personal growth and transformation did. One of his hardest lessons was learning to unlearn, to let go of rigid thinking and stay open, patient, and teachable. Over time, Smith Horsemanship has grown into a brand with more than 50,000 followers across social platforms, reaching millions of viewers every month. The team has launched its own line of products, including saddles and apparel, and is now releasing an international online course to make quality horsemanship education accessible worldwide. The Academy: The Smith Horsemanship Academy started small, just two students, one being Roan’s younger brother. There were no fancy facilities, no arenas, just a round pen bought a week before classes began and a deep belief in what was being built. From that humble start, the Academy has grown into a respected training hub that continues to shape capable horsemen and women across South Africa. In the next decade, Roan envisions Smith Horsemanship expanding globally, offering certifications, international mentorships, and a world-class online platform that empowers aspiring trainers everywhere. Faith, Family & Mentorship: Behind the brand stands a team built on trust and shared purpose. Roan’s mother, Annatjie, has been a steady pillar, handling the financial side and helping manage operations from the start. His mentor, Theus Badenhorst, continues to play a major role in his development and now collaborates closely on media and production. Both have helped shape Smith Horsemanship into what it is today. Our Purpose: Smith Horsemanship exists to educate, transform, and build a lasting legacy. Roan’s mission is simple: to empower horse trainers everywhere through wisdom rooted in truth, guided by faith, and expressed through the incredible partnership between human and horse.