| Natural horsemanship is a horse training method | | | | 4. Using body language to establish leadership |
| based on the built-in instincts, herd lifestyle and | | | | Now we can bring together some of the earlier |
| communication methods horses already use. | | | | points. In natural horsemanship the handler learns |
| Rather than use force, dominance, or intimidation, | | | | to use body language - rather than force or |
| natural horsemanship seeks to train the handler to | | | | intimidation - to establish a leadership position with |
| communicate with the horse in ways she naturally | | | | the horse. Instead of using pain and fear the |
| understands. In this article we'll review seven keys | | | | handler uses the same body language cues that |
| to understanding this horse training method. | | | | the alpha horse in a wild herd would use. The |
| 1. Horses are social animals that live in herds | | | | handler earns the confidence of the horse using |
| Hroses live in large groups in the wild called herds. | | | | cues the horse instinctively understands. The |
| So, like humans they're social creatures and how | | | | result is that the horse feels calm and safe. This |
| they interact is a huge component of their | | | | builds trust with the handler. |
| identity. And like human societies, horse societies | | | | 5. Train using pressure and release |
| have leaders. The herd has an alpha mare and | | | | In the old days, to train a horse to do something |
| stallion that the other horses follow. Each horse | | | | he'd be tied up with ropes or smacked with a a |
| knows his place in the pecking order, and of | | | | whip. Natural horsemanship uses a different |
| course it's often dynamic, with horses battling to | | | | approach based on positive reinforcement. In |
| move up in the herd. | | | | natural horsemanship pressure is used to ask the |
| 2. Horses are prey animals | | | | horse to do something. This is based on the fact |
| In the wild horses are eaten by other animals. As | | | | that horses learn from the release of pressure. If |
| a survival mechanism, horses have an escape or | | | | you want the horse to move his forehand over, |
| flee mentality at the slightest hint of danger. In | | | | pressure is applied as a cue for the requested |
| the world of the domesticated horse this built-in | | | | action. When the horse responds, the pressure is |
| save your skin by running emotion creates a lot | | | | released. |
| of problems, and a great deal of training making | | | | 6. Groundwork starts all training |
| horses safe to handle and ride is helping them | | | | Groundwork training is used to set up |
| think differently and be more confident. There is | | | | communication and establish our leadership with |
| also the fact that humans are predators. This | | | | the horse. This is partly for safety-its safer to |
| effects the way we look (eyes in front of the | | | | teach a horse the cues they need to respond to |
| head), the way we smell, and how we approach | | | | on the ground first, and then carry that over to |
| the horse (we instinctively walk directly up to | | | | the saddle. Some people think natural |
| them). Horses pick up these cues and recognize | | | | horsemanship is all about groundwork, but they're |
| us as predators. Part of the natural horsemanship | | | | mistaken. Groundwork is only about laying down a |
| training program is to recognize this and adapt to | | | | solid training foundation before going on to riding |
| it. | | | | the horse. |
| 3. Horses communicate through body language | | | | 7. Maintaining timing and consistency |
| Horses use many gestures to communicate. | | | | Success with natural horsemanship lies in |
| These include licking the lips, head position, speed | | | | consistency and timing. This involves knowing the |
| and distance of movement, body position, and ear | | | | right moment to release the pressure, soemthing |
| position. In natural horsemanship, the handler | | | | that comes about with practice and experience. |
| learns not only to recognize these cues from the | | | | Being consistent is important for helping your |
| horse, but to use his own body language to | | | | horse learn the right cues and to help him learn |
| communicate. | | | | quickly. |