March 16, 2010
Natural Horsemanship:
Just what EXACTLY about it is natural?
Well, here I go. I realize I am exposing myself to a tremendous amount of criticism, but something about the “natural horsemanship” theories, in general leave me shaking my head and asking “Why?” and “Really?”
Obviously, my discipline is dressage. This discipline being beyond centuries old, I am humored by the “new innovations” of the 21st century in regards to training horses. I will agree, there were many masters who by today’s standards would be considered cruel and not operating in the best interest of the horse. We have that in today’s world, on a very visible level, given our media exposure. We have also had through the centuries, masters who truly understood the language of the horse and used it to obtain a willing and reliable relationship with the equine.
In the mid 1980’s I purchased a book titled “The Body Language of Horses” authored by Tom Ainslee and Bonnie Ledbetter. It was early in my career, and the book was geared towards assisting handicappers on the track. For the most part, I dismissed it…..until I really began training my own horses.
The explanation regarding the herd dynamics has never left me, and as a result I have implemented some of my own techniques (which I ultimately found that others in the past have done as well with success) to establish my placement (as alpha mare) in my horse’s herd. I will tell you that I have been very successful in doing so, without needing to “join up” or “move my horses shoulder or haunches” to prove that I am dominant. More importantly, I have never needed to be aggressive in making my point. It’s great that you can do all of this “fun stuff” from the ground, but my goal is to establish a willing partnership, myself being the director from the horse’s back. I feel that it is imperative that the animal first is willing (submissive) and then trusts, and then is given direction in how to proceed to receive praise and approval. My belief is that we must give the animal time to do so, and that their compliance is not necessarily immediate and should never be based out of fear, only out of an understanding of his place in your herd.
Praise and approval is paramount in the training of the horse. In any discipline. How else will they know that they have pleased us? If they have determined that we are alpha, it is their desire to do so.
I contend that; when training a horse, repetition of sound techniques within a discipline allows the animal to learn and respond in a positive way, as long as the relationship between trainer and horse remains in an Alpha-trainer/horse submissive type of relationship. It is up to the rider/trainer to establish this relationship and maintain it. This does not need to be established in any truly aggressive manner.
And so, the Natural Horsemanship:
Being a” horsewoman” for over 40 years, my conclusion is that there is NOTHING natural about horsemanship. What would be natural is to turn your lovely equine companions out to open spaces and watch them roam and forage. Yeah, right. Ain’t gunna happen. They have now been domesticated for centuries. We no longer rely on them for our transportation, carting our goods, herding our cattle (out of complete necessity….apologize to those who still do, but most of us as horse owners do not) or helping us fight our wars. They are our pleasure, our indulgence and we are their stewards. If we truly want to establish a relationship with them, we MUST learn their language first and speak to them directly.
I am covering my ears, waiting for the fallout…
Happy Riding to all!
JW