Keith Stewart’s journey with horses began in the breathtaking landscapes of Banff and Riding Mountain National Parks, where he was raised in a family that relied on horses as both a way of life and a source of joy. His father, Ed, was a Park Warden, and his mother, Cynthia, was a skilled dressage rider. This unique combination of Western and English riding provided Keith with a well-rounded foundation in horsemanship, blending practical mountain riding skills with the discipline and finesse of the show ring. Growing up in remote locations, Keith learned early on the importance of forming a deep partnership with horses—a lesson that has shaped his entire life and career.
Early Years: Riding and Learning in the Mountains
As a young boy, Keith spent countless days exploring the backcountry on horseback with his father and two brothers, Mark and Brett. These adventures were more than just rides; they were immersive lessons in trust, respect, and communication with horses. Keith’s mother further enriched his horsemanship education by introducing him to English riding, where he developed an appreciation for precision, balance, and the artistry of riding.
Training his own horses from a young age, Keith learned the value of patience and the importance of understanding a horse’s perspective. Living in isolated areas meant that horses were not just a tool but a trusted companion, reinforcing the need for a harmonious relationship. These early experiences laid the groundwork for Keith’s approach to horsemanship, centered on the idea of building a “herd-of-two” dynamic between horse and rider, where the human is a trusted leader guiding the partnership.
Horsemanship as a Lifelong Journey
While Keith’s early years were steeped in the practicalities of mountain riding and training horses, his teenage years introduced him to the competitive side of horsemanship. He competed in multiple rodeo events and eventually found his stride as a saddle bronc rider. Winning the Canadian Open Jr. Saddle Bronc Riding Championship at the 1980 Calgary Stampede was a highlight of this period and a testament to his dedication. However, while Keith’s rodeo career spanned 15 years, his true passion remained rooted in horsemanship and understanding the horse.
During this time, Keith began training colts and working with horses for the public. His natural talent for starting young horses came from his ability to connect with them and earn their trust, a skill that would define his career. As his interests evolved, Keith discovered a deep love for cutting horses, a discipline that allowed him to combine his competitive drive with his horsemanship philosophy.
The Transition to Cutting Horses
Keith’s journey into cutting began during a transformative winter in Texas, where he worked under Hall of Fame cutting horse trainer Larry Reeder. This experience ignited a lifelong passion for the sport and deepened Keith’s understanding of how to bring out the best in every horse. Over the years, Keith trained and showed numerous cutting horses, achieving notable success in the show pen. Some of his accomplishments include:
Winning the Reserve Championship for the 2000 Ltd. in both Canada and Alberta.
Qualifying for the Open Derby Finals at the Canadian Supreme in Red Deer.
Training and showing No Rey Jackson to a Canadian Championship in the $5,000 Novice Horse class in 2016.
Winning the Alberta Cutting Horses Association Open Title on Natalee Wood in 2017.
While Keith’s achievements in the cutting pen are significant, they represent just one facet of his commitment to horsemanship. For Keith, cutting is an extension of his philosophy—a way to collaborate with horses and bring out their natural abilities.
The Philosophy Behind Collaborative Horsemanship
Through decades of experience, Keith developed his unique training philosophy, Collaborative Horsemanship. This approach is built on the principle of working with the horse rather than against it. Keith believes that every horse is an individual with its own personality, instincts, and needs, and that training should be a partnership based on trust and mutual respect.
Collaborative Horsemanship emphasizes the importance of understanding how horses naturally think and respond to pressure. Keith’s methods focus on creating what he calls a “herd-of-two” dynamic, where the rider becomes a trusted leader and guide. By applying the principle of “making the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult,” Keith helps riders teach their horses to willingly choose the desired behaviour.
“Training isn’t something you do to a horse,” Keith often says. “It’s something you do with them. Training should be a collaboration, not a confrontation. When you collaborate with your horse, you’re building a partnership that benefits both of you.”
Keith’s philosophy also incorporates insights gained from a lifetime of learning. He has studied with many of the greats in horsemanship, including Ray Hunt, Martin Black, Bryan Neubert, Buck Brannaman, Curt & Tammy Pate & others. Rather than adhering to a single school of thought, Keith refers to his methodology as a sort of “horsemanship collage,” combining the best lessons from his mentors with his own discoveries and inviting his community to do the same.
Helping Riders Transform Their Partnerships
One of Keith’s greatest passions is helping riders who have lost their confidence—or never had it to begin with—transform their relationships with their horses. His methods are especially effective for riders working with dull, stubborn, or unwilling horses. By focusing on communication and trust, Keith teaches riders how to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth.
Keith’s approach avoids the use of harsher tools or confrontational methods. Instead, he empowers riders to achieve their goals through patience, understanding, and collaboration. The result is a safe, soft, and willing horse—and a more confident, capable rider.
Mini-Clinics and Online Learning
To make his teachings accessible to riders everywhere, Keith coined the term mini-clinics, a unique approach to teaching horsemanship in short, digestible, and easy-to-learn format. These bespoke mini-clinics are available through his online membership program, Building Trust, Not Tension: The CCU Club, where riders can access step-by-step guidance on a wide range of topics. From foundational groundwork to addressing specific challenges, Keith’s mini-clinics are designed to help riders of all levels build stronger, more fulfilling partnerships with their horses.
Through his mini-clinic system, Keith continues to share his passion for horsemanship and provide practical tools that empower riders to grow their skills and confidence.
Life at The Key Ranch
Today, Keith and his wife, Denice, live at The Key Ranch, located southeast of Longview, Alberta. Their ranch serves as a hub for horsemanship, hosting clinics, lessons, and events that bring riders together to learn and grow. Over the years, Keith has worked with riders of all levels, from beginners to seasoned competitors, helping them achieve their goals and strengthen their connection with their horses.
Keith’s two daughters, Shelby and Hailey, also grew up riding and competing, and Keith has enjoyed sharing his love of horses with them. He has introduced countless riders to the sport of cutting, mounting many young competitors on cutting horses during Alberta High School Rodeo events. For Keith, being an ambassador for the sport and helping others discover the joy of working with horses is one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
A Lifetime of Learning and Teaching
Keith’s commitment to horsemanship is driven by a deep belief in the value of collaboration and respect. He often quotes Buster Welch, saying, “The application is way more important than the method.” For Keith, how you approach horse training is just as important as what you do. He emphasizes the importance of giving horses the opportunity to learn, make mistakes, and find the right answer on their own.
“Well-trained horses are safe horses,” Keith says. “They live long, happy lives, being valued wherever the road takes them. Training is about setting them up for success long-term and giving them the tools they need to thrive, under your saddle or someone else’s."
Collaborative Horsemanship: A Meeting of Equine & Human Mind
Keith Stewart’s life with horses is a testament to his belief in collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. From his early days riding in the mountains to his success in the cutting pen, Keith has dedicated his career to understanding and honouring the horse. His work through Cowboy Campus University and The Key Ranch continues to inspire riders, helping them build confidence, overcome challenges, and create lasting partnerships with their horses.
Whether starting colts, training champions, or teaching riders how to connect with their equine partners, Keith’s focus remains the same: to honour the horse and help others experience the incredible transformation that comes from working with them. You can connect with Keith online at his website CowboyCampus.com where you’ll find a free mini-clinic and his blog, as well as on Instagram at @thecowboycampus