We Make It Easy

I’ve heard lots of great things about this method of training, and I’m very interested to join the savvy club, but is it really as great as it appears to be? (I have trained in other ‘Natural’ horsemanship methods and found some of them to be dogmatic and downright abusive to the horse)…

The only draw back I’ve seen is people who only grasp half the concept and let their horses walk all over them, sometimes literally. As long as you realize it’s not about sweet talking them into every thing but communicating in a fashion they can understand it’s a great program. Good luck if you try it.

I am really dedicated to learning and riding horses bit my parent’s don’t have enough mioney to let me take lessons but i really want riding horses to become one of my hobbies along with soccer and swimming! Please answer this question with ways to let me ride or just be aroud horse!

How devoted are you, exactly? If you could reach an agreement with a stable owner to shovel manure, feed or groom their horses in return for lessons, would you do it? I did this for awhile and eventually got my own horse, a feisty two-year-old that I got to train, out of the deal… but if you aren’t willing to consider something like this, you’re probably just in a phase and your parents are right not to waste money on it.

Does anyone know of a place in or close to los angeles/san fernando valley that has unguided horseback trail rides? I know they are pretty rare these days but is there any place where you can go with a friend on a trail on your own? I’ve heard of places that guide you to a main trail then the horses know it and where to go from there.

Google search for some places.

I’m curious to see what people generally prefer: traditional horse training methods or new "natural horsemanship"? And why do you prefer it? Are you open to new ways of thinking or do you consider the information currently available to be sufficient?
I’m thrilled with the response to this question so far. I believe good horsemanship is about common sense and shouldn’t be labelled "traditional" or "natural". While I try to keep things natural, many "natural" methods are traditional. Natural horsemanship has been around for centuries. It’s great to see that people are open minded and think about the methods being used. Do any of you think their is a benefit to learning about current marketed natural horsemanship (Parelli, Lyons, Roberts, etc)?
I thank everyone for their awesome answers! I didn’t expect such a mature response and sure didn’t expect the general consenus to be so very similar.

All the answers were soo good.
Thanks so much, guys!!!

The techniques known as ‘natural horsemanship‘, ‘intelligent horsemanship’, and ‘horse whispering’ are considered a modern approach, but their roots go back many hundreds of years. It is only because we can now access, and share, much information that certain individuals have made business oportunities (and fortunes) by giving them a title.

Such techniques can be very useful in emphasising certain aspects of communication with horses, for example the use of body language and encouraging owners to question their ethics when training their horses. On the other hand, as with other methods (e.g. the classical school), when it becomes fashionable and popular, it can become another unquestioned dogma. The result is that one traditional dogma is replaced with another, which may be equally inadequate for improving how we teach or have to do with horses.

There is no right or wrong method, so long as it influenced by using informed and reasoned descisions, and takes the horses best interests in to account.

‘Thinking horsepersonship’ is what I follow! It is forever being adjusted as I learn more, and takes in to account the personality of the horse I am working with at the time. Anyone who believes that their method is the only valid one, and needs no further questioning, is of no use to the horse, and has no right to consider themselves a horseman (or person), whatever the title.

EDIT: It heartens me to read all the above answers, and to know I am in good company with regard to individuals who think for themselves, rather than just stick to one method like it’s a religion!

Like, whats a link to somewhere?

Im completely blanking on the name && stuff.

Like mentally challenged people get to ride and learn to work around horses.

Just handicapped riders. And the orginazation that supports them is NARHA(North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.

http://www.narha.org

I want to learn horse riding, I have been to AP riding Club but it is shut down. Do you know which club or institute is giving training in Horse riding in Hyderabad, India.

polo grounds in sec-bad or join NCC

My mom and I like to go horse back riding. We’ve gone on a few trail rides at some stables but they were pretty boring, Any one know of any cool places near Rochester New York?

Unfortunately Rochester sucks as far as horse back riding goes. I would suggest packing yours and your mothers little @$$’s and getting in the car and driving to Montana.

Clinton Anderson will be in Detroit on the 26th.
Pat Parelli will be in Madison, Wis. on the 12th & 13th.

I am thinking about learning to ride horses and I won’t be purchasing a horse but could sign up for lessons and then go riding in the country somewhere, to relax and be outdoors while doing something different and fun. I love horses, always have. They’re beautiful…but this could be a little scary. So, who is the HORSE EXPERT out there ?? What do you like about riding ? Any advice/tips ? Thanks…

I have been riding for over 20 years and I give lessons to children. I have 4 horses of my own, all jumpers and still show on the local circuits.
It can be a very expensive past time, so be prepared to shell out some money for quality lessons. You will also be required to purchase the proper gear (a helmet, boots with a heel and preferably a steel toe, and gloves are required of all of my students)
If all you want to do is go for an occassional stroll in the country, you can look for stables that offer guided trail rides instead of regular lessons. It will be much more cost efficient.

The breed of the horse doesn’t matter, its the temperament and the experience of the horse. I know some feisty cobs and some dopey thoroughbreds so I wouldn’t just go by stereotypes if your looking for a calm horse. What you need is a School Master, this is horse that knows it’s job inside out and is considered the safest type of horse. These are normally older horses that have been there, done that and got several t-shirts! They can teach a novice rider alot and are very good for building confidence. Good luck! x