What is Natural Horsemanship?

To answer it plainly, it's about forming a natural relationship with your horse that utilizes communication on a level that the horse clearly understands. For centuries horsemen who are practiced in the art of speaking naturally to horses have found ways to work with them as partners, not as dictators. Natural Horsemanship is not a new trend, it has been in effect long before you or I were around.

Recently, as our society has trended towards the "natural" progression of living we have sought out new forms of communicating with animals. Take for example, Cesar Milan's television show "The Dog Whisperer" - a program that has honed in on the subtle, innate ways humans interact with one of the most common species. Mankind has long since domesticated the canine species, but only recently has it been popular for us to give consideration to the way we interact and communicate with them effectively bringing positive results. The same rings true for horses. With the millions of surplus horses flooding the U.S. market since the ban on horse slaughter, now is the time when we are seeing horses in desperate need of a new beginning. Those with problematic behavior now have a voice and it is our duty to listen and help them.

One of the most important aspects of NH is attitude. Projecting outwardly towards an animal, especially a prey species like the horse, you must learn to master the control it takes to remain persistently positive. Because horses tend to at times, to the lay person, act like dogs, they should never be treated like one. Having full understanding of the predator/prey relationship is vital to communicating with horses because we are perceived as predators.

Learning to also be assertive yet gentle while working with horses is a core characteristic of NH. Where most people fail in training their own horses is that they are either too gentle (they "love" their horses too much to be firm) or they are too firm (not providing the right release or escape from a form of pressure.) Finding this balance is difficult for most equestrians - it was likely not taught to us at the young age when most of us began riding. Most oftentimes we were lifted up on top of a horse - helmet on and crop in hand and told, "smack him in the rump if he stops at the fence!" Most of us never questioned why the horse stopped. Studying NH gives you a conceptual box full of useful tools that will aid in situations like this, and the thousands of others that most horse owners encounter.

By partaking in any NH program, it is your duty to yourself and your horse that you have a certain level of commitment to continuing your development as a Natural Horseman. This is not to be considered a "quick fix" for a horse with problems. It is a better way of living and working in harmony with your horse - to truly be a partner, not a passenger.

In most NH programs you will learn and apply steady forms of pressures to varying degrees and styles. This is aimed at teaching you to provide the correct reinforcement (negative/uncomfortable or positive/comfortable) to get a desired response. You will also have a better understanding of the horse's physical awareness. NH provides you answers to questions like, "what happens when I put my leg here?" and "why did he turn and do that when I came toward him?" Learning about the proper areas or zones of a horse's body will allow you a better understanding of their behavior.

Studying horses in groups will also enlighten you to the forms of games horses play with each other. Did you ever wonder why horses pin their ears momentarily at another horse then minutes later invite him back by their side? Horses interact with each other on a level that we have a difficult time understanding. Training yourself to enhance your overall feel for everything about them will aid in your discovery of this secret language.

Developing a 'play drive' with your horse will allow you to discover a whole new level of communication with him. He will finally look at you and think, "Wow! You finally get it!" Nothing is worse than walking into the barn to greet your beloved horse and have them give you that look like, "Oh, you again. Ugh, now we get to go work!" NH will provide you with knowledge that you crave to successfully mend the relationship with your horse and learn to interact with any horse on this evolutionary level.

Are you ready to take the steps to discovering your ability to be the leader every horse would like to be with? Contact us to begin your journey today!