| Natural Horsemanship is a method of training the horse | | | | approach him. There were no fences, corrals or |
| that derives its methods from the horse. By watching | | | | places to restrain a horse these shortcuts have placed |
| and observing the horse interacting naturally in the wild, | | | | man in a dominant role which can often lead to abuse |
| humans have been able to learn how the horse | | | | of a horse. |
| communicates. | | | | A trainer of Natural Horsemanship will talk to the horse |
| The horse communicates using body language. Natural | | | | with use of his own body in the way that horses |
| Horsemanship trainers have integrated this | | | | understand. A trainer will use specific eye |
| communication into their training method. By working | | | | communication, will know where and how to place his |
| with the horses own language trainers are better | | | | body so that the horse can understand what is being |
| equipped to understand and work with the horse. | | | | said. |
| Horses are big powerful animals. Knowing any way to | | | | Natural Horsemanship is based on trust and respect. |
| work in an effective positive manner can help trainers | | | | Man aims to become the horse's leader. In the wild the |
| immensely. If a trainer can learn to communicate on | | | | herd follows the leader and a trainer will develop the |
| the horse's level the horse will respond. Watching the | | | | same bond the horse has with a herd leader. There |
| horse for cues and signs helps the trainer to pace and | | | | are a number of trainers who have developed their |
| know when to move on to the next step. | | | | own take on this and have become names in the |
| I have always tried to get a sense of a horse's mood | | | | Natural Horsemanship circle. |
| as an individual when I am working with them. I use a | | | | If you are interested in learning the techniques and |
| combination of classic training methods and natural | | | | aims you can do some on-line research to find a |
| horsemanship. There is certainly much to be said about | | | | trainer near you. I honestly feel that hands on learning is |
| respecting a horse and working with them as against | | | | essential for Natural Horsemanship because you are |
| them. | | | | learning body language. A horse could look at you with |
| Traditional breaking in of horses forced the horse into | | | | a subtleness that could not be detected by a picture in |
| submitting to the handler. The horse's spirit and | | | | a book. |
| essence were usually broken and the horse became | | | | Whichever means you decide to learn you should also |
| a servant to man. Natural Horsemanship enrolls the | | | | consider how involved you would like to get. If you are |
| horses will. This method does not use force to | | | | training horses to sell them on and make money, you |
| domesticate and train the horse. The horse does not | | | | should consider your target market. |
| respond with fighting and panic against a human | | | | You certainly do not want to build a beautiful |
| handler. | | | | relationship on trust and respect only to have another |
| Trust is the key to horsemanship. In the days where | | | | person come along and use aggression because they |
| the lands were open and free, man had to gain the | | | | are not able to understand the horse's way of |
| trust of a horse in the wild before he could ever | | | | communication. |