Historians from Audrain County will be in Warrenton to talk about the original “horse whisperer,” Tom Bass, who perfected his practice in Mexico, Mo.Bass is remembered as an influential Missourian. He was born in 1859 to a slave and a slave owner and became world famous for his horsemanship skills. He showed horses, rode and trained them. He displayed his equestrian skills before presidents. He represented Missouri at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. He was the first African-American to ride in the American Royal Horse Show.Bass died in 1934.Audrain County Historical Society members Lori Pratt and Tom Usnick 6 p.m. will give a presentation about Bass, Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Scenic Regional Library, 912 S. Highway 47, Warrenton. People can register online, in person at the library or call 636-456-3321.Pratt said Bass lived during a time when American transportation was by horse. Horses were part of the American lifestyle and economy.Horses and horsemanship skills were praised in society. Bass trained his show horses to dance and curtsy, and his horses set standards in judging. He had to pull at least one horse completely out of competitions because people stopped entering their horses in the shows where that horse was competing.“He really was the horse whispherer,” Pratt said. “He was a kind, gentle soul. He had a more humane way to treat animals. He never, ever used a whip. Never raised his voice.”Bass didn’t go to school, but his wife taught him enough math so that he wouldn’t get swindled when he purchased and sold horses.Without an education, too, he invented the “Bass Bit,” a more comfortable horse bit, Pratt said. Previous tools for the same purpose had inflicted pain. The Bass Bit design is still in use.Because of Bass, people came from around the world to Mexico to buy American Saddlebreds.“We were the (American Saddlebred horse) capital of the world. Tom Bass played a hand in making that the case,” Pratt said.Pratt said guests will see possessions once owned by Bass. They should expect a lively presentation. Books on the topic will be available for purchase.

Tom Bass