What Is Natural Horsemanship Really?

To me, the word ‘Natural’ means something in its purest form, something that isn’t altered from the real thing in any way. Like pure spring water. To me ‘Natural Horsemanship’ is the handling of horses in the purest form possible. It is teaching horses in a way they understand. It is the building of a relationship with your horse that will be far better than doing it in any other way. Who doesn’t want a relationship with their horse, who doesn’t want their horse want to be with them; even when you don’t have treats or a feed bucket. Even when you go into the pasture with a halter in your hand, you want your horse to come to you. You want your horse to be a loyal partner who is glad to see you. You want your horse to want to come tom you.

‘Natural Horsemanship’ is a way of teaching horses that is natural to the horse, a way the horse understands. To be able to teach this way, which is safer and less stressful for us and the horse we first have to understand how the horse learn. Horsemanship begins on the ground with what is called ground work. Well, it should be called ‘ground play’ because that’s what horses like to do, play. There are 4 major things that are important to horses; safety, comfort, play and food. If a horse doesn’t feel safe he won’t be comfortable. He definitely won’t play or eat. Have you ever taken your horse to a different place and he won’t drink or eat for a while, that’s part of the feeling safe and comfortable.

Horses are natural born followers and want natural born leaders. We have to understand our horse first before we can be able to teach him, and they have to understand us. We have to break down that prey/predator barrier first. Horses aren’t afraid of predators; they are afraid of the predatory action. It is so hard for people not to have that predatory nature or action, it’s in our DNA. It is tough to control our emotions. But to get to the horse’s heart, we have to know our heart first and be able to control our emotions.

A horse can see through any mask; they can recognize anger, sadness, despondency, fear and despair, but they can also see and feel inner strength, calmness and happiness and they can also feel our energy if it is too high, and reacts or responds accordingly.

How does one teach a horse?  When teaching your horse you don’t need to have emotions such as anger, fear, tenseness, urgency and so on. Horses can pick up on all of our emotions even before we know we have them. We have to work to suppress every emotion we have, to teach the horse.

‘Natural Horsemanship’ takes more time but is the safer method for the handler/rider and the horse and is also more humane and in my opinion the best way of teaching horses.

I guess the best way to describe what ‘Natural Horsemanship’ is; it’s a method where we must think like the horse, not the human. It’s more than just techniques. It is an understanding. I can’t say that enough. We have to put the horse first, understand him before applying what we think we know or what we have been taught or told. We really have to get in the horse’s heart, get in his mind, not by force, but by invitation. We have to let the horse know we are there for him, as a good friend would let you know.

There is a lot more to this ‘Natural Horsemanship’ thing than what can be put into print. It is a feel, an experience that we have to feel and experience. The best way to begin is under the guidance and supervision of someone who has had this experience and has the ability to teach it and explain it to you to help you understand. It is way more than you will expect. When you feel it, you will know.