Natural Horsemanship, Riding Lessons, Trail Riding

"Natural Horsemanship Lessons"

In a private or group setting I strive to teach students how to achieve a partnership with horses based on mutual trust, confidence, communication and respect. This program offers education that will encompass the whole horse and quite often the whole human. In addition to riding, this curriculum will cover subjects such as safety, ground work, barn chores, horse nutrition, hoof care, trailering horses, and tack. Students will learn about mental and emotional issues that have to do with horses, such as fear and confidence.

More about Natural Horsemanship

"If given a little thought, a little understanding, and a little common sense, the horse gives back in full measure. If the human can give 5%, the horse will come from the other side with 95%." Ray Hunt from www.rayhunt.com

"The thing that I am trying to bring out here is this feel and timing. I used to say all there is to it is feel, timing and balance. I still can't improve on those three words, but there is so much that goes on within that." Tom Dorrance from www.tomdorrance.com

"Rather than using human logic, a true Horseman approaches a horse with an attitude and communication techniques that make perfect sense to the horse. A horseman understands horse psychology, how horses think and behave, and is able to use this knowledge for relating to and developing a horse." Pat Parelli from www.parelli.com

"How it Works

If a person asks the horse to do something and presents the request with patient expectation while observing the horse carefully, the horse willingly exhibits his natural inclination and ability to search for a release of pressure. The person must wait and watch for the instant the horse exhibits the slightest physical or mental change in response to pressure. This change may be a tipped ear, a look in his eye that softens, an exhale or a shift of his weight from one foot to another. Any of these responses warrant the immediate release of pressure, wherever it is exerted.

If the horse is released from this pressure, on time and each time that he happens to hit the desired response, he will adjust his future responses in a way that requires less and less pressure to produce swifter and more accurate results. When this starts to happen, a bond between the person and the horse begins to form. This approach to the horse’s mind is an essential element of truly good horsemanship and will lead a horseman to the ultimate privilege--the experience of reciprocal feel with the horse.

I do not think it is possible for a horse to deeply trust a person without this approach. Without trust, it is not a matter of if, but when there will be a wreck. It is inevitable.

Reciprocal feel begins to develop when force and haste are replaced with patience and the release of pressure at the slightest acknowledgement of your intent (to move the feet, lower the feet, bend the body, stop the feet, whatever). That is how a horse learns to “feel of you” and that is how he learns to derive meaning from your physical touch or presence." by Leslie Desmond from www.lesliedesmond.com