I feel that the term “Natural Horsemanship” is over-used and even abused. As is the term “rescue.” These terms roll off the tongue with such ease, but folks rarely ponder the real meaning of them. Take the term “Natural Horsemanship,” let’s take a deeper look. Webster defines ‘NATURAL’ as: Fixed or determined by nature; belonging to native character; according to nature; essential; characteristic; innate; not artificial, foreign, assumed, put on or acquired. NATURE: The existing system of things; the personified sum and order of causes and effects; the established or regular course of things; usual order of events; a connection of cause and effect; conformity to that which is natural, as distinguished from that which is artificial, or forced. HORSEMANSHIP: The act or art of riding, and of training and managing horses. The two terms really do not go together, but we put them together to appease the masses. This phrase is actually an oxy-moron! ADAPT: To make suitable; to fit, or suit; to adjust; to alter so as to fit for a new use. In short, what we do with these horses is far from natural: it is not natural for horses to carry a rider, wear shoes, do a sliding stop, turn a barrel, back up, or live in a stall, (the list goes on…) but they adapt. They have to adapt to us more than we have to adapt to them. What we do with them is usually at our convenience. Conditioned response is a far more appropriate phrase. This is about cause & effect. Let’s consider again the definition of nature: a connection of cause & effect; Horsemanship: the act or art of riding, and of training & managing horses. So to maximize our horse/human relationship it is really about cause & effect, in other words conditioned response in the act or art of riding, training & managing horses. I’m frequently asked “What style of training do you use, which clinician do you follow or endorse? Do you use ‘Natural Horsemanship’ methods? My answer is always the same: I use MY methods, ones I have developed and used with success throughout a lifetime of interaction with horses and their owners. You can call it what you want, I sometimes call it ‘ADAPT-MANSHIP.” I have learned and continue to learn much from all types of horse people. Whether they are professional or casual horse owners, I have learned from every horse person I have ever met. The things I have learned may not have always been what to do, occasionally I have discovered what not to do. If you are open-minded and discerning, you can learn something from everyone, including novices or newbies. Another of my favorite question is “Have you been around horses all your life?” I reply “Not yet!.” In summation, it is this simple: BE CONSISTENT, PERSISTENT & INSISTENT. If you follow this formula, paying particular attention to the order, you cannot go wrong! I tell folks "He works for me, I don’t work for him. He is my employee and I am the employer." I remind my students frequently about 1%. Strive to get your horse to be 1% better today, not 20%, 10% or even 5%, but look for 1% improvement. If you can do this consistently, in 100 days, your horse will be 100%! That may help you to keep things in perspective. I also encourage them to set goals, large & small, vague or specific, then I give them specific tasks to perfect in order to achieve their goals. I don't believe that practice makes perfect, I believe that perfect practice makes perfect and that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. |
| A.D.A.P.T. The Ability Demonstrated in the Absence of Planning Thoroughly! |
| The more you ask for, expect & demand from your horse, the better he will get. |
| 'Natural Horsemanship' defined |
My Philosophy
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