Who here thinks Natural Horsemanship is a ‘joke’?
April 8th, 2010
Since finding out about natural horsemanship, I am so much happier with my horse and I can tell my horse is so much happier with me. She is so much fitter and so willing in everything she does.
Other horsey friends think I am crazy and that natural horsemanship is stupid and everyone that uses it’s methods are delusional.
I do not follow Parelli as I feel some of his methods are all a bit… obvious? but natural horsemanship makes so much sense to me.
I have a friend that whips her 5 year old for not trotting in an outline. She calls me crazy for doing natural horsemanship as it supposedly doesnt work, even though my 6 year old will rib bend without asking.
I understand completley that natural horsemanship is not for everyone but why are some people so against it? Surely after seeing the effects you should be atleast a little convinced?
All answers welcome…
Just interested in other’s views.
God Bless.
I agree that Parelli all seems a bit of a money making scheme.
however I cant agree that NH lets horses dominate over humans. It does the complete opposite.
If you are in to NH and am not sure about Parelli… Bruce Logan is an amazing horse man but not many people have heard of him as he keeps his head low.
He is the best rider I have ever come across and can change a horse in mintues. 
Sorry used wrong wording. NH does not mean the human can dominate over the horse… but they work as a partenership to keep eachother safe -like in the wild (hence the name NH).
I think some people are so against it because other people are so for it – if that makes any sense. Some people follow natural horsemanship methods, especially Parelli, with such rabid devotion that it almost becomes a cult. Almost every day I see a question on here that is something like ‘my horse has this dangerous behviour that could get me and anyone else around him killed’ and at least one answer will be ‘ just do Parelli with him.’ Some people seem to think it’s the solution to all horse problems everywhere with all horses which is really oversimplifying certain issues. As the old saying goes, "To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail." When others read that, they actually get a negative view of natural horsemanship, since to outsiders it looks like indoctrination.
I’m not against natual horsemanship or Parelli’s methods at all. What I am against is the abandonment of common sense.
April 8th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
dont know really
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April 8th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
natural horsemanship is just about understanding your horse and working as a team it is not stupid and if it works for you then great.
the person who whips there horse into an outline is cruel and her horse won’t be working correctly as its not allowed to.
keep up with your team work and enjoy you horse
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April 8th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
not me. I’ve seen the effects
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April 8th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I am totally for it.I’ve studied up on it and I can’t wait to try it with my horse,once I get him.Your friends won’t understand it until they have tryed it.
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April 8th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I can’t give you enough kudos to be brave enough to try natural horsemanship. I wish there were more people like you who are open to new schools of training. The equestrian world is still very very "old school" and many people through their own character flaws think animals are meant to be dominated, which as any horse owner can tell you never works human vs horse, horse always wins period end of discussion. Don’t get me started on your friend that hits her horse, trust me her horse will resent her and be ill behaved unless treated better. Anywho horses are extremely intelligent creatures capable of thought and problem solving. I personally am an advocate of natural horsemanship, Monty Roberts is the man, I have a greater connection with my horse now that I ever have and I know the bond we share is greater than any other owner who relies on "traditional" methods. For those who think you are crazy POO on them, your horse will be better trained, better behaved, and a better companion than any of theirs your friend included, just keep on with what you are doing especially if it works and don’t listen to those who are not open to at least try new things.
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Horse owner
April 8th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I do, for one- but not for the reasons you might think. Natural horsemanship is just an excuse to let horses get away with thinking they can dominate people- and I can’t stand Pat Parelli because he relies so heavily on "tricks" to get his horses to do things. There is a difference between discipline and abuse, and what Parelli and people like him do really falls somewhere on the borderline between the two. I think your friend has got some major issues with anger- that’s why she whips her horse, instead of taking the time to understand how her horse thinks and what his responses normally would be. Instead of getting some help from a PERSON in dealing with her anger, she takes it out on someone who least deserves it- her horse. That’s sad, it really is. It’s possible to tell a lot about a person by the way in which they treat those who cannot speak for themselves- and your friend is doing herself no favors by treating her horse in such a manner. Sooner or later, that horse is going to revolt, and rightly so- and when that happens, she’ll get hurt.
I have no problem with using old, well proven, classical methods to train a horse in sports like dressage- after all, they have been using such methods for over 600 years at the Spanish Riding School, and have never had a problem yet that I know of. But Parelli’s reliance on tricks and gimmicks bothers me, because in my mind, he’s letting the horse get away with thinking it can dominate and control people, instead of the other way around. There is, however, one true "horse whisperer" whom I really have a lot of respect for, namely, Monty Roberts. Roberts is a man who has clearly learned how to communicate with horses in their own non-verbal language, and it shows. There is NOTHING wrong with this, and in fact, I think he is actually a much better horseman than Parelli is, by far. I still have one of the original copies of Roberts’ book, and I review it from time to time, because I have seen with my own eyes how effective some of the "join up" techniques are. These methods are also unique in that they can be used with any horse, no matter what the animal’s history, and they do not change much over time, because the non verbal language they are based on doesn’t change either.
This is just my thinking on this…..
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Horse owner, horse professional turned medical coder, and a dressage enthusiast.
April 8th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
If it isn’t natural horsemanship, then it will be something else. Many people who bristle at the term are actually already practicing some of the methods, but haven’t labled them as NH. I think that anytime something challenges the status quo, this reaction is going to happen. think about it. If this works, and it is not what you’ve been doing, then you are either going to fight to protect what you are comfortable with, or feel that you’ve been doing something "wrong", which isn’t easy to accept. I think if the "right" and "wrong" is removed from the equation, and it can just be looked at as "a better way" it might be more palatable. If nothing else, if it can be accepted as "different" from what someone has done, but still valid, it will be a step forward. Stuff like this takes awhile to gain acceptance, and in the meantime it gets challenged. If you think about it, that’s a good thing. We should challenge things to be sure they’re valid.
You know it’s working for you, and that’s what matters.
Add….for the poster who thinks you can’t use NH to train dressage…yes, you can. You can use NH to train anything. NH isn’t what you think it is. I have trained with an olympic dressage trainer, world renowned, current USFD olympic trials judge. Nothing in NH differs from or is not used in her training, which I am intimately familiar with. I also trained 4 months with an NH trainer, who has worked with nationally recognized NH trainers. My horses are better for the NH influence in their training. the adherence to methods of training that require devices to replace intelligence in communication is closed minded and unfortunate. However, it is incorrect to indicate that true masters of horsemanship don’t both recognize and use NH methods in training of top level performance horses. Some do not call themselves NH trainers, but their minds are open and their methods ever adapting to new and better ways to achieve excellence, and NH is very much a part of that.
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NH fan
April 8th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Me! NH is a waste of time and money. The normal method works fine unless the trainer is abusive. Your friend should not be whipping her horse period. This is abuse and is probably why the horse isn’t doing so well.
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April 8th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Everyone has their own way of dealing with their animals, and nobody wants to be told their wrong. Whether it’s dogs, cats, horses, birds, or goldfish, everyone is very convinced that *their* way is the right way. It’s useless arguing, nobody ever listens. I’m a dog groomer, I deal with pet owners of every kind every day, I have a horse and deal with other owners/riders, and everyone has a unique method of handling the animals, and nobody is really interested in hearing about other ways. It has nothing to do with the method and how valid it is or is not- people tend to stick with what they first learned. Case in point: my sister and I agree on almost everything to do with animals. Our dog and cat care/training is word for word with one another. But she started her horseback riding at a snobby English show stable, and I started at a laid-back Western trail riding stable. And no amount of talking as gotten her out of buying expensive breeches and fancy boots and goofy helmets, dressage whips, etc. And no amount of her arguing with me will keep me from riding bareback in jeans. It’s just how we are, because it’s what we learned.
I don’t follow any specific trainer, I learned a lot from my friends with horses, and I just sort of carved my own path using the wisdom that I’ve heard that makes the most sense to me. So far it’s working just fine for me and my horse, so I’m going to keep at it.
As for "being convinced"- people are really good at denial. They see a horse that behaves and say, "oh, it’s just the horse, he has a good personality and had a good trainer, it’s not about the "natural horsemanship" at all". I get the same thing with my dogs I groom, "oh, your dog just behaves because he’s calmer than my dog, my dog is crazy and that’s why he won’t behave, it doesn’t matter how I trained him".
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April 8th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
It depends on what you would prefer. Some day I would like to try it. Sounds very rewarding.
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April 8th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
I think some people are so against it because other people are so for it – if that makes any sense. Some people follow natural horsemanship methods, especially Parelli, with such rabid devotion that it almost becomes a cult. Almost every day I see a question on here that is something like ‘my horse has this dangerous behviour that could get me and anyone else around him killed’ and at least one answer will be ‘ just do Parelli with him.’ Some people seem to think it’s the solution to all horse problems everywhere with all horses which is really oversimplifying certain issues. As the old saying goes, "To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail." When others read that, they actually get a negative view of natural horsemanship, since to outsiders it looks like indoctrination.
I’m not against natual horsemanship or Parelli’s methods at all. What I am against is the abandonment of common sense.
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April 8th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
I use Natural Horsemanship sometimes, like when starting colts or trying to figure out if something is wrong with the horse. I think its fun to do and it really makes you think in other terms.
I heard from someone, and this may not go well with others, but I heard that Natural Horsemanship is something that is so old, that its new again, with a different name. So it is something they used in the older days breaking horses.
So people who are ‘totally’ against it, have probably actually done something with it before.
I do not think people should spend hundreds to thousands of dollars buying other peoples’ kits, when it should be something that just comes to you when you are working with a horse. Don’t pressure them until they break, but work with them and find ways to cooperate with them.
Have fun and enjoy your horse that cooperates with you and wants to be with you.
Its hard to convince other people to open their mind and look past what they are doing wrong. That would be admitting they are wrong by hitting their horse. Eventually her horse will tire of it and rebel.
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RFD-TV (Dennis Reis) and own experiences
April 8th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
Hi
I am with you on saying that Natural horsemanship works.
Take my ex-race horse for instance, he would bolt, rear, bite, kick, pull back, he wouldn’t stand still at all, he broke 5 halters and 6 lead ropes. He was going to be turned in to dog food, then i got him, started natural horsemanship. and i am pretty sure that’s what saved his life. now after 3 years he is sooooooooooooooooo quiet, he doesn’t spook at anything at all, you can ride him bare back in a halter, and he is sooooooo light!! Natural horsemanship all the way!!
Love horses, love life and may the horse be with you
Savvy Sista
PS Don’t let any one change your mind about natural horsemanship. Only your horse can tell you how she feels, and from what you’ve written, i bet she thinks natural horsemanship is a plus!
Keep at it!! = )
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April 8th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Because they are stupid. I don’t do natural horsemanship but I strongly believe in the horses comfort coming FIRST. She doesn’t understand anything about the mechanics of riding. I’m surprised she even has a horse…none the less a 6 YEAR OLD!?
Just don’t worry about her, if she isn’t "acting like a sponge" and trying to absorb all the knowledge she can then it won’t last long. As soon as she gets interested in boys she’ll likely give up riding and if she doesn’t then after college she will.
:]
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SAMD
April 8th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Natural HorsemanShip may be expensive but is totally worth it. I love it, and thats how my pony has gotten so far.
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April 8th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
I probably should answer because I do not think Natural horsemanship is a joke. I cannot understand those who do not, and after asking some questions, I find that often their comments are not based so much on the theories of natural horsemanship, but against one specific trainer or set of trainers because of either mis-understanding what message they receive or because of personal perceptions.
I fail to understand, if a person truly understands the theories, how any person who’s not ‘mad’ (nuts, etc) can NOT think about and accept them.
Natural horsemanship is nothing more than understanding the horse’s nature and trying to communicate with the horse in as natural a mode as possible.
GaWaNi Ponyboy puts it well in his book "Horse, Follow Closely". Humans, he says, are ‘results’ based. He goes further to compare the Native American people with the Europeans, which really makes me think. He explains how the Native American peoples (which sound close to the Wiccan and early Celtic tribes) believed they were a part of nature. They didn’t feel themselves as controllers of nature or beings who’s lot it was to dominate the rest of earth’s creatures. They felt they were a part of it, they had a place in it along with all the creatures of the earth and the plants. They had a responsibility to work within it, leave it as good as or better than when they encountered it and ensure it’s safety and longevity long after they were gone. They truly believed the animals were their kin, and often thought of animals as important as their spouses, children and siblings. They hunted only what they needed for survival, took only what was needed and gave exuberant thanks to the soul of the animal they had to kill to survive as well as the Earth for the plants they took upon which to survive. The Europeans came along, brought the horse which the native peoples called "Holy Dog" and learned it’s nature and how it could help them live better thru traveling between places, hunting and everything they needed. It helped them bring down the Buffalo, their main source of food, more efficiently with less danger to both them and the buffalo. They lived WITH the horses, they didn’t keep them in an enclosure, but allowed them to roam free keeping each other safe – the horses and people learned what value each could give – for example, in the evening when the herd was out on the outskirts of the village grazing, the people could hear them whickering – noises of alarm they came to identify with threat of predators and the men would go scare off the Bear or Cougar to keep themselves and the horses safe. The people came to know the horse’s nature intimately from living right with them and therefore knew how to affect the horse’s willing partnership to meet their needs. This is the epitome of "natural horsemanship".
So it doesn’t surprise me that there are a vast majority of people who believe they have a right to dominate the horse physically, using mechanical means to control it to their own ends. Those are the people who’s horses would leave them in an instant if they had to chose in a tough situation. The people who’ve built relationships and become part of their horses trusted herd are the ones who don’t require artificial means of control or cueing. They can teach horses proper headset without tie downs or draw reins. They don’t rely upon pain to teach a horse to comply and for this they are rewarded greatly.
So I’ll disagree with you, the theories of working WITH an animal, any animal, ARE ‘for everyone’ whether they think so or not. Further, I’ll suggest to you that people who CAN understand another being to the extent a sound ‘natural’ horseman can are also able to understand other humans and interact with them more successfully than their domineering counterparts. Such people make better companions to other people whereas the people who wish to dominate are in life only for themselves, not another being or another human. Such people are why the world is in such a state today. Our American companies sell us health food that kills us, they lobby and use their money to suppress those who would teach us how to eat sensibly, they are the ones who tell us they’re the best choice as leaders not by virtue of what they’ve PROVEN they CAN or WILL do, but rather by slinging mud and telling you why the other guy won’t and why he’s bad. Switching your focus to what the other guy’s done rather than showing his own virtues. Our society is too much "me" and not enough "where do I fit in and what responsibility have I to making this place a better place for the coming children?"
So – forget about ‘those’ types of people. Don’t try to force them to your views. Show by example what you can do that they can’t – get to a show and whip the bejesus out of them because you can. So, natural horsemanship is a ‘joke’ huh? Then why does the biggest blue blooded race stable, Claiborne farm now employ a ‘cowboy’ to start
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April 8th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Whipping a horse into a frame is not training, it’s abuse. Allowing a horse to make mistakes as he learns is a positive learning experience. I am a classical rider and show USDF dressage and USEA Horse Trials. Horses need kindness, understanding and sometimes a firm and demanding, but NOT abusive, lead to help them provide the ideals their riders require.
A frightened horse is NEVER a safe horse! BTW I am in my late 50′s, still breaking and training and have been w. horses since I was 5! To date I am uninjured because I respect the lovely animals I work with.. I do not agree with all Parelli’s methods but his ideal of fun is fine.. Research Monty Roberts and Dennis Reis.. apply what works for your individual situation and the personality of your equine partner.. BHSAI
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April 8th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
I don’t use a ‘method’ I use what works. Some comes from natural horsemanship and so on, but I am never abusive. I’m not sure what your definition of ‘whipping’ is, but I am almost positive that you friend is not doing it according to my definition.
Whipping- a violent beating or flogging, especially one administered with a whip or the like in punishment, NOT a crop. Leaves a scratch or mark that indicates injury.
Yours may be similar but…it doesn’t sound like it.
I DO NOT take crap from my horses. If they are being rude, they will soon stop. I am not mean, just firm. You have to realize that they are bigger animals than us, and they don’t realize this sometimes. You also have to remember that if you don’t make sure they know your in charge. My horse can be very rude, they all can! I use a crop and spir on her. When we do gymnastics, sometimes she will try to trot through it. Then she’ll ignore my leg. So what do I do? Slap her hard behind the leg. I have broken crops on horses. But like I said, they are much bigger than us. They also have a higher pain tolerance if you didn’t notice…
My point is, once you have your horse well trained (in a human way), it really doesn’t matter how you did it. This whole natural horsemanship thing is a big debate in the horse world. I honestly think that the entire argument is pointless.
Happy riding!
-Nov
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Years of experience
April 9th, 2010 at 12:23 am
I think pat parelli is a joke! yes he gets his horses to do tricks and stuff, just like a cicus clown, "thats exactly what I think he is", BUT Monty Roberts is, as has already been said a totally different kettle of fish, he really is the man everyone should learn something from, and to spend many hours watching your horse whilst in the field and being just a horse can also teach you a lot, as for the whipper!, grab it and give her a short sharp shock and see if she wants to do anything for you, then ask her to think of it from her horses point! Georgie.
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April 9th, 2010 at 12:38 am
I dislike the Parelli and Monty Roberts publicity machines… ask Monty a question at one of his demos and the answer is, "Buy the book, it’s in there". He’s very good at what he does but like dog training, it’s all about training the owner/handler to understand the animal’s mentality and instinct in order to get the best out of it, with the least aggravation. If you learn something under the heading of ‘natural horsemanship’ and it works for you, don’t knock it, but equally, if conventional methods have produced a happy and relaxed horse capable of doing the job its owner wants, don’t knock that either. And if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.
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April 9th, 2010 at 1:06 am
I believe Natural Horsemanship is great, but people making specific programs/schemes goes against the nature of NH. Putting every single horse into a category or using the same methods on every horse isn’t natural. What’s natural is sitting on your fence, watching a herd, and learning things about how they interact, body language, and how they react to their environment. From what you learn with how horses behave with other horses, you can better suit your horse’s needs and what you can do to work with them, and not force them to do something they aren’t naturally inclined to do.
Making money off of horses you’ve never even seen is wrong. Because then who gets the credit for training the horse? Parelli, Lyons, Roberts, etc. Not the person who actually worked with the horse and was able to get their horse to do what they wanted them to do. Parelli knows jack $hit about you and your horse; all he sees is moneymoneymoney through you buying specific products that won’t really help you in the long run; honestly, who cares if you can get your horse to stand on a small platform? The only place I want to see that is the circus, and they certainly didn’t use Parelli to train them…
Anyways, I think there needs to be a clarification in the horse world about what Natural Horsemanship really means.
Most of these programs are geared towards people who are unable to learn about horses by studying them; honestly, if you can’t understand your horse by observing them in their own environment, you shouldn’t own a horse.
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April 9th, 2010 at 1:27 am
I 100% back it up. Love it to death I watch my trainer work with my Saddlbred awhile back when he was a danger to people and by 15 min kid you not I was on him and trotting around on the buckle of my reins. I DO NOT believe in whipping or spurring a horse and I do ride the most controversial discipline, saddleseat,
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April 9th, 2010 at 2:03 am
Everyone will have their opinion, I for one love Natural Horsemanship! It’s made such a difference in the horses at my barn. They actually enjoy their work now.
NH might not be something for everybody, and I respect that. I expect though, that while I respect their methods, they respect mine in return.
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April 9th, 2010 at 2:46 am
no, i believe in it, not whats in ‘fashion’ but proper NH .. a man i knew and worked with a lot was an old fella, who had never heard of monty roberts, he just done what he learnt over a life time with horses… yeah i believed in him a LOT, and he taught me lots of things, some are a bit random but they work!!! I watched 3 of his horses jump through a ring of fire for him.. (just one example) he has sadly died and his horse (well one of his horses, but his ‘baby’ ) ..went a bit mad with grief ..you would have to have seen it to believe it, ..
yeah i believe in NH!
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April 9th, 2010 at 3:02 am
No, I do not agree in Natural Horsemanship. I don’t wave around a "Carrot stick" and call it "Teaching them something." I don’t train "Tricks", my horse will not benefit from learning to bow or the Spanish Walk, She is not a darn trick horse! She is a work and pleasure horse, but if I drop her reins she will follow me as if I still had them. She is a friend, I did whats called "Earned her trust and I would like to think her love." I did not take a 6 month "program", I spent time with her learned her inside and out. What will a NH program do for me that I can’t do my self in a way that both me and my horse could benefit? Do you know why people use the "Common" method of training horses, maybe because it WORKS! If my horse or any I work with get out of line, you better bet I will put them back in that line, and very quickly. A horse that does not respect humans is not a horse worth a dime. I am not cruel to my horses but I demand respect I am "Boss Horse", I am not a chew toy, or a kicking post, or a tree to lean on.
I was not always against NH, in fact I thought it was great, but then I bought a book and me and a riding friend decided to give it a try. Within a week we hated it. We saw no improvement in riding or ground manners, we also saw our horses become "Snappy" not in the term of biting but they seemed to be less connected to us and seemed to loose some of there marbles. (My friends gelding who was not know to act up in the smallest way, bolted, bucked, and reared almost as soon as she got on him after 6 days of using NH. The vet came out, checked the saddle, bridle, his teeth, and everything was fine. I blame his behavior on the NH method.) This is my oppinion and if you want more info I will galdly give it to you.
I believe some people have luck with it, and incorperate some of my own NH when working with my horses, but no I dont think I would suggest someone to try it.
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Horse Lover
April 9th, 2010 at 3:13 am
I have issues with the people that use natural horsemanship. Everyone always wants you to buy all these expensive products that is supposed to help you train your horse, but it’s just a waste of money. And I agree with who ever said that people who use natural horsemanship think it’s the solution to everything. They always try to correct you with their training program. You can’t teach a dressage or jumping horse using natural horsemanship! Sure you can have hop over a barrel or trot in a circle, but that’s not teaching them proper training for that discipline. I also hate how NH and Parelli have people convinced that people who use bits/bridals, spurs, and crops are horse abusers. They are perfectly safe equipment to use. And yes, you can hurt a horse with them, but most people DON’T. I could go on for a while, but I’ll keep it short…
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April 9th, 2010 at 4:00 am
Its a joke! So some wanna be trainer flys into your home town, grabs a so called unbroke horse, and "Trains" it in 2 hours. Ask yourself this, after He gets on His plane, flys to another town, would you put your child or grandchild on that same horse? If you would, your an idiot also! These people are about making money, not weather you kid winds up in the E.R. or not! And no, I agree, you dont have to "Hit" your horse to train Him, you just reach and agreement! Geez………
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April 9th, 2010 at 4:38 am
I think the reason some people resent natural horsemanship so much is because they don’t really understand it. NH is simply communicating to the horse in a way it can understand. Some trainers such as Parelli will dress it up into much more but that is the basic meaning. I agree that Parelli’s techniques can be focused towards making money and putting on a show, but that doesn’t mean every trainer who uses NH is like that. Another misconception about NH is that it is all about sweet-talking your horse and letting your horse take control. Absolutely not. Like I said, it is only about communicating to your horse as if you too were a horse. For example, let’s say one day your horse bites you. So you stand there surprised for a moment, then grab your crop and whip your horse. Your horse has absolutely no idea why you’re punishing it. But let’s say your horse bites you and immediately you punch your horse as hard as you can in the fleshy part of their neck. It might seem like their is little difference in these reactions, but in the second one your horse can understand perfectly why it is being punished. If you watch horses in a field, you’ll see that if a youngster goes around bothering senior herd members by nipping at them the other herd members will respond by kicking them. Your fist feels just like a warning kick to your horse. They will understand that if they bite you, you will "kick" them and you also prove you are the dominant horse. However horses will never punish each other by picking up sticks in a field and smack each other with them.
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April 9th, 2010 at 4:58 am
I feel that a system or school is only as good as it’s practitoner.
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Any system of horse training that is not pursued with diligence and feeling is a joke….
April 9th, 2010 at 5:37 am
I don’t think natural horsemanship is a joke..if it was then who would be training the horses that have behavioural difficulties.
You should see a parelli!!
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April 9th, 2010 at 6:27 am
I agree with you – after purchasing some Natural horsemanship books by Monty Roberts and Richard Maxwell I decided to try them out on a youngster that Id been given to break…. I found the methods highly effective and everything the book predicted he’d do – he did!!!
I believe its better to have a strong bond with your horse instead of threatening him with a whip or something to force him do it.
My own horse had been broken and riding away well when I read up on natural horsemanship, but I still applied basic things to him and I find we developed an even closer bond, which I hadnt thought possible!
I do believe some things are totally money making – and some suggestions can even border on ridiculous – but overall yep – Im all for the natural stuff!!
xx
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April 9th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Th sceptics are usually the ones that either don’t understand it or have no real concept of it. But what works for one does not necessarily work for others. If it works for you and have got good results then good for you and carry on. I think it does work but you need to believe and the sceptics don’t.
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April 9th, 2010 at 6:56 am
I love Parelli, look how close his horses are to him! I also love natural horsemanship, and am trying to practise it with my horse.
Whats ridiculous about it, your learning to speak horse!
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April 9th, 2010 at 7:34 am
i think horsemanship is fantastic and amazing to watch some methods in action when the horse bonds with the rider horsemanship is brilliant it gives you confidence for horse and rider friendship trust and a better chance of being able to do things such as compete because if the horse trust you and you trust the horse you feel you can do anything in the world its wonderful and you can have a better life with your horse and feel as though you are giving it a wonderful life your friends obviously stupid and un-imaginative and small minded and shouldnt be riding horses
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April 9th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Some of it is some of it isn’t. It’s the same with alternative therapies. Some are complete nonsense and some work. It’s a case of separating the rubbish from the good stuff.
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April 9th, 2010 at 8:26 am
Natural horsemanship is not a gimmick, it is based on the fact that horses are herd animals and use body language to communicate with each other. Natural horsemanship teaches us to use this same body language to communicate with our horses so they will come to understand what we are asking for. The biggest thing that I’ve learned about and from natural horsemanship is that not every method works for every person. Take Parelli for instance, I personally have no use for any of his methods. I have taken some stuff from Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, and Monty Roberts. I take what I can use and ignore what I can not. I’ve also figured some stuff out for myself over the years. I’ve trained horses both ways, and the NH way has worked out better for me. My horses are very respectful, respond well with extremely light pressure, and everybody that I have trained for have been pleased with my work. I have yet to encounter a horse that this does not work on, even on horses that have been abused to the point of becoming violent. I’ve had great success with it, and will continue to use it until something better, and simpler comes along.
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18+ years experience training horses.
April 9th, 2010 at 8:37 am
People do not believe in it because they think that horses are stupid animals, tools, and only respond when their personality is beaten out of them.
As blunt as that sentence is, just one person say it isn’t true.
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April 9th, 2010 at 8:49 am
I think it’s good to a certain extent, for example i lunged my horse, and ever since she hasnt been naughty with me riidng her, it has definitely helped and if shes naughty again, muahahaa on the lunge again. only joking i’m not cruel.
breaking in foals into work is good for him with natural horsemanship because it helps them to have ‘manners’
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April 9th, 2010 at 9:30 am
i don’t know enough about it to be honest. i’ve never been on a yard that practises it myself but my friend has and i know it has really interested her. i’m very open to learning more about it although i could see me taking parts of NH and combining them with more traditional methods. i also have no problem with whips being used tho – of course i don’t accept people beating horses but i think, used correctly, theres nothing wrong with whips or spurs as aids.
also i like the IDEA of a partnership but i do think that the handler should be in charge – i do not mean they should terrorise or be completely domineering but i think (and i’m sure this is true of NH as well as the traditional training) that the human should be leader of the "herd".
as i said, i would be open and very interested in learning more about NH so that perhaps i could have a more informed opinion.
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horse trainer/riding instructor
April 9th, 2010 at 9:40 am
im a natural horsemanship behaviourist and trainer. natural horsemanship has good and bad points. bad-never shout or smack a horse. horse shouldn’t be hit or shouted at for no reason but when shouted at or smacked they then know they did some thing wrong, but before this ask your self why the horse did what it did, there prob is a good reason so smacking or shouting goes out the window. monty roberts is a better way. as you can use a giddy up rope to move the horse forward. every horse is different combining natural horsemanship, parrelli, monty roberts and the bhs using your in stinks works well
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April 9th, 2010 at 9:59 am
My problem with NH is many of the people preaching it and following it think it’s some new revelation. It’s not. It’s just "Horsemanship" Nothing natural about it. Does it help you understand your horse’s motivation for learning?
Sure it does.
But people have been able to understand horses for a long time. I don’t like the implication here that if you don’t actively buy into it, you’re some kind of abusive horse person. That’s just patently untrue. Well before any of the big name NH trainers came long, there were plenty of people who were incredibly successful at training horses without any abuse. Look at the entire tradition of the Spanish Riding school. Those horses are not abused, they are taught based on each horse’s temperment and ability to learn. THAT is horsemanship, training a horse within it’s abilities and comfort, using respect and compassion.
The ancient Greeks did it, why do we think that peoples who were dependent on horses for transportation didn’t love them and respect them as much as you or I do?
Alexander the Great and Bucephalus were one of those pairings, why are we so arrogant that we think only this generation of people studying this philosophy can possibly understand a horse?
Also I find it very hypocriticial to say that by keeping a horse, feeding it, riding it, grooming it and generally interacting with it over the course of years is anything like "natural" for a horse in the wild. It isn’t. Let’s just call a spade a spade, and say that people who are good with horses, who respect them, and who can train them are exhibiting Horsemanship. Regardless of what they term themselves.
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April 9th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Great to hear your view! I have done NHS for 2 years with my Cob. I had so many problems, some I caused, some my instructor caused e.t.c. but all of them were because of miscommunication. All my friends and family told me to sell him or shoot him except for 1. She introduced me to NHS when all else failed. I can’t believe the change, my dreams are slowly but surley coming true and this damaged horse is an even bigger dream. I use Parelli and agree that it’s quite a money making scheme now but it’s still cheaper than my old weekly riding lessons at £40 an hour and I make much better progress! I don’t mind people not using NHS but I hate it when they judge me and my horse for it. Seeing the change in my horse and others I believe it works for all if done correctly and with the persons heart in it. I think it will make life better for horses and people cos I know nothing better than the feeling of being with my now loving horse to pick me up when i’m down. I am going to be entering mine and my horse’s first show in a few weeks but as I will be riding in a hackamore and using my carrot stick I’m a bit nervous as feel I’ll be judged and so will my horse. I’m sad that I have to feel like this as I have no doubt that what I do is right but hey ho hopefully over time I’ll be more confident and less self concious.
Thanks for your view it’s refreshing to hear. XXX
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Parelli student and horse owner and working pupil.
March 4th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
I am a PNH student since last june, but i have competed since 2006, rode, handled horses for 11 years. I have done dressage, cross country, reining, team penning, trail riding, endurance and lots of show jumping and I must say that the current PNH prepares for all those. I have bought last june a 4 year old SWB show jumping trained; he is now almost 5 and we are able to perform some top level dressage movements, jumping courses, trail riding and reining figures all simply in halter. I believe i’m not ready yet to put the snaffle on as i think i will cause him problems. I have his mind, therefore i have his feet. With him i play, i excercise, i have fun and i travel. This i am greatful for to PNH. It has tought me in 4 weeks i trained what i hadn’t learned in 10 years about how a horse thinks, reacts and should be treated.(I never hurt or punish a horse for any reason, even in extreme occasions).I had the technical basis,and now added to that i have the behavioural/psychological basis. This leads me to four things:
-Compete with a relaxed horse who enjoys it
-Play with a horse who respects me as much as i do
-Be able to understand how to help a horse or human-with-horse in difficult situations
-How to get the best possible out of them
-And finally how to have fun safely, with my horse REALLY having fun too with no forcing of any sort.
When you take off the halter or bridle, you’re left with one thing. THE TRUTH.
And I LOVE the truth i discovered now.