Natural horsemanship methods

JFTD said:
Oooh ooh can I tell the stories about you and your whip and hacking and meeting people? :D:D:D

I don't have to break his ribs to do dressage 'cos I learnt (from the DVD) how to make him go forwards without it I haven't got a "How to get your horse off your leg while hacking" DVD yet so I will still break them while hacking :D

You're not, by any chance hacking today, are you?
Click to expand...

you use a cattle prod dont you.... :D
 
In the works of Buck Branaman, 'there is nothing natural about horsemanship'.
I think the important thing is to listen to the feedback your horse gives you, and do what makes sense to you and your horse! Be as gentle as possible, but as firm as necessary!
 
Cant quote because I'm on my phone but yes jftd why not tell every one I'm sure they are still chatting about it :D.

I thought you were going soft on me then what am I going to do without my fellow rib breaker and pony beater :confused: :D
 
Havn't read all the replies but...

my pony wouldnt be here now if it wasn't for it.

I'd had her 4 years when we sent her to a NH centre for reschooling. We had had tremendous ups and downs whilst I had her (turned out to be pain, and once pain was fixed, she was so worried about things hurting that she still misbehaved).

We tried EVERYTHING - numerous back people, full vet checks, 2 saddles, teeth, more work, less work, more feed, less feed, regumite, eyes checked, 6 months off ect.

She was an extremely severe rearer, eventually ended up unrideable as as soon as you got on her, she would go up and up and up and up until falling over or you getting off.

Sent her away to normal people, she got sent back 2 weeks later after they broke their leg. Contacted a NH person who wanted someone specific to come see her. She did, and she found the problem. It was an old back injury for which her neck was compensating, as a result it was very tight and knotted. As soon as she started treating her, we could see that was a problem as she started rearing, biting and kicking (never tried to hurt us before).

After treatment, she went away to be reschooled. It wasn't a miracle cure. I got her back 3 months later (went there weekly to work with her), and she tried it on, every day. Every corner we turned out hacking, she'd rear, everytime I asked her to trot or canter in the school, she'd rear. BUT she was an extreme case as well.

Weekly lessons with a NH trainer, and now, 2 years on she's a normal horse. She hacks, she schools, has just begun lateral work and jumps. She is about 95% good, 5% tries it on but it has NEVER EVER been as bad or as dangerous as it was.

We had tried everything and she wasn't happy as a companion so if that hadn't worked, she'd be dead now so I reckon its worth a shot. I work at a top eventing yard and have no problem with more traditional methods, but they just don't work for her.

Plus - a lot of it, as in moving the horse when it naps ect is common sense and works just as well/better than beating it so..
 
Ahrena said:
Havn't read all the replies but...

my pony wouldnt be here now if it wasn't for it.

I'd had her 4 years when we sent her to a NH centre for reschooling. We had had tremendous ups and downs whilst I had her (turned out to be pain, and once pain was fixed, she was so worried about things hurting that she still misbehaved).

We tried EVERYTHING - numerous back people, full vet checks, 2 saddles, teeth, more work, less work, more feed, less feed, regumite, eyes checked, 6 months off ect.

She was an extremely severe rearer, eventually ended up unrideable as as soon as you got on her, she would go up and up and up and up until falling over or you getting off.

Sent her away to normal people, she got sent back 2 weeks later after they broke their leg. Contacted a NH person who wanted someone specific to come see her. She did, and she found the problem. It was an old back injury for which her neck was compensating, as a result it was very tight and knotted. As soon as she started treating her, we could see that was a problem as she started rearing, biting and kicking (never tried to hurt us before).

After treatment, she went away to be reschooled. It wasn't a miracle cure. I got her back 3 months later (went there weekly to work with her), and she tried it on, every day. Every corner we turned out hacking, she'd rear, everytime I asked her to trot or canter in the school, she'd rear. BUT she was an extreme case as well.

Weekly lessons with a NH trainer, and now, 2 years on she's a normal horse. She hacks, she schools, has just begun lateral work and jumps. She is about 95% good, 5% tries it on but it has NEVER EVER been as bad or as dangerous as it was.

We had tried everything and she wasn't happy as a companion so if that hadn't worked, she'd be dead now so I reckon its worth a shot. I work at a top eventing yard and have no problem with more traditional methods, but they just don't work for her.

Plus - a lot of it, as in moving the horse when it naps ect is common sense and works just as well/better than beating it so..
Click to expand...
That is a heartwarming story :) it is great to hear that you didn't give up on her and that she got the treatment she needed for the pain. :)
 
jhoward said:
you use a cattle prod dont you.... :D
Click to expand...

No but if he ignores my leg next time I try and go for a canter out in front, I may just try one!

dafthoss said:
Cant quote because I'm on my phone but yes jftd why not tell every one I'm sure they are still chatting about it :D.
Click to expand...

I'm waiting for the day when I hear it from the other point of view. I'll be chatting to one of these people and they'll start ranting "I saw this awful kid they saw beatnig up their poor little yellow pony - smashing its ribs and whacking it and swearing all because it didn't move quick enough / wouldn't go through a ditch / spooked :eek:

"Mind you, there was also a time I saw a little grey pony shoved alongside a red phone box while its owner talked on the phone... That was odd :confused:" :D

I took Fergles through the ditch on the far corner of the hay field today - I'm quite proud of his little self :o
 
J Howard I need a cattle prod :D

Yep that will be what's going round but hopefully by then he will have his yellow hair back not his funny grey so they won't recognize us. Not found that ditch will have a nosey some time, you say through I guess you mean through in the same speshul way they both managed last time?
 
Faracat said:
One of mine is mean. :( She teases me and calls me names.

On a serious note, she will lash out if you correct her and she thinks that she's right and you're wrong, which happens every nown and again. EG, I ask her to steady (and I asked her nicely) as I don't really want to canter down the road, particually as I was on foot at the time. She says 'sod off I want to go fast'. I correct again and she complies but lets her frustration be known by kicking out a leg.

She's only ever had fantastic handlers and has never been beaten. I was talking to a friend about her the other day and they were saying that she's the sort of horse that would really scare a novice. I couldn't disagree. When you're grooming etc.. she is actually the sweetest horse ever and she will do what you ask with gusto in regards to her training. You must however, correct her straight away if she tests the rules or you're stuffed.
Click to expand...

She isn't Nitty's secret twin is she? This is my filly to a T.
 
dafthoss said:
J Howard I need a cattle prod :D

Yep that will be what's going round but hopefully by then he will have his yellow hair back not his funny grey so they won't recognize us. Not found that ditch will have a nosey some time, you say through I guess you mean through in the same speshul way they both managed last time?
Click to expand...

It's the diagonally opposite corner to the entrance... I didn't give him the option of jumping as there were a few low branches I didn't want to get in the face, so he had to go through - which is fine by me, I don't expect him to launch over them :o
 
I believe that 'natural horsemanship' is such a huge umbrella that you cannot take one part of it that you disagree with and call it all aload of rubbish. It is about finding out what works for you and your horse, try lots of different things, see what he likes or doesn't like, just enjoy being together. I wouldn't use join up on a horse I had a trusting relationship with, as i don't see a need to send them away. I believe you should try to see things from the horses point of view, I do not believe a horse is 'mean' he just reacts to the situation. We have this way of humanising everything, this is good behaviour this is bad behaviour, but the horse doesn't think like this, a lot of 'naughty' behaviour can often be a horse trying to tell us something- bucking rearing etc is the horses only way of telling us its saddle/bit is hurting them - so listen to your horse and what he is trying to tell you!

Most of all just have fun! There is nothing wrong with being aware of the dangers of being around a horse, and there needs to be boundaries. Being confident as has been previously stated is so important though.

Also there is no need to bop a horse imo, when he gets bargy ask yourself first why is he being bargy - find the cause of the problem instead of battling with the effect, if after all you cannot, just work on building respect with your horse, using groundwork can do wonders! I do not use one approach but pull everything I like from different methods, just learn as much as you can. Watch Dvds, read books, you can learn so much from them, but it is great if you can have someone there too to guide you! The more time you spend with your horse the more you will trust him!!

Good luck and enjoy, horses are such amazing creatures!!
 
diamondrockharvey said:
In the works of Buck Branaman, 'there is nothing natural about horsemanship'.
I think the important thing is to listen to the feedback your horse gives you, and do what makes sense to you and your horse! Be as gentle as possible, but as firm as necessary!
Click to expand...

totally agree .... but even all who agree they like that principle will differ in defitions of what "firm" means :rolleyes: :D


also despite him saying buck brannaman is one of the most respected horsemen in "natural horsemanship" circles ;)
 
drift91 said:
I believe that 'natural horsemanship' is such a huge umbrella that you cannot take one part of it that you disagree with and call it all aload of rubbish. It is about finding out what works for you and your horse, try lots of different things, see what he likes or doesn't like, just enjoy being together. I wouldn't use join up on a horse I had a trusting relationship with, as i don't see a need to send them away. I believe you should try to see things from the horses point of view, I do not believe a horse is 'mean' he just reacts to the situation. We have this way of humanising everything, this is good behaviour this is bad behaviour, but the horse doesn't think like this, a lot of 'naughty' behaviour can often be a horse trying to tell us something- bucking rearing etc is the horses only way of telling us its saddle/bit is hurting them - so listen to your horse and what he is trying to tell you!

Most of all just have fun! There is nothing wrong with being aware of the dangers of being around a horse, and there needs to be boundaries. Being confident as has been previously stated is so important though.

Also there is no need to bop a horse imo, when he gets bargy ask yourself first why is he being bargy - find the cause of the problem instead of battling with the effect, if after all you cannot, just work on building respect with your horse, using groundwork can do wonders! I do not use one approach but pull everything I like from different methods, just learn as much as you can. Watch Dvds, read books, you can learn so much from them, but it is great if you can have someone there too to guide you! The more time you spend with your horse the more you will trust him!!

Good luck and enjoy, horses are such amazing creatures!!
Click to expand...
totally agree! :)
 
jesstickle said:
She isn't Nitty's secret twin is she? This is my filly to a T.
Click to expand...

They've both had awful injuries too. Was Nitty a 2008 foal? The stars and planets must have been in some awful alignement.. oh lordy, she's driven me to astrology mumbo-jumbo.
faint2.gif




Shilasdair said:
Unless your horse is a git. In which case the less you will trust him, and the more trips to A & E you will enjoy.
S :D
Click to expand...

Very wise words Shil. :D
 
Faracat said:
They've both had awful injuries too. Was Nitty a 2008 foal? The stars and planets must have been in some awful alignement.. oh lordy, she's driven me to astrology mumbo-jumbo.
faint2.gif
Click to expand...

She is as well! Mad stuff! Or of course, just coincidence. :D

I love my floofy, mostly cuddly but sometimes very opinionated little monkey. ahhhh. I am all soft over her. She still has to be told off when she is bad though or she'd be 'orrid. The speed those legs come wanging out at you is really quite impressive. And she's a good aim to boot :eek:
 
Natural horsemanship can mean anything nowerdays, so many folk have got into this subject with books, DVD's, clinic's and courses.

Some people claim to have invented it, others say they are just passing on what they have learned.

"When people think of natural horsemanship that could mean a lot of things. It isn't natural for a horse to be around people, and it's not natural for a person to be sitting on him either. When we use these words we speak about what's natural for the horse to do within his own boundaries" - Bill Dorrance

An interesting quote from Bill Dorrance, one of the founders of the Natural Horsemanship movement, though I doubt he would be all that comfortable as being thought of as such.

If you choose to go down this route, you best be consistent in what you learn and what you want from your horse.

If you take on Natural Horsemanship and develop your 'feel' you will find that there are few limits to what you can achieve with any horse.

Trying too many methods lead to confusion for both human and horse, get to understand one and be excellent at it.

I don't think it's a good idea to go back to traditional methods once you have used natural methods on a horse. I think it is better to pass the horse on to another person who uses and is accomplished at Natural Horsemanship methods rather than try to retrain it, it doesn't work in the majority of cases and the horse suffers.

Thousands of people use 'Natural Horsemanship' methods in the UK, and there are some fantastic results.

Best of luck with it if you do decide to take it up.
 
/\ /\ /\

Nice post!

I have just read Bill Dorrance's book 'True Horsemanship Through Feel' and it is full of great sayings, tips and exercises. He is often overlooked I feel in favour of his brother Tom or other practitioners but it's definitely a book worth having!
 
Pale Rider said:
Natural horsemanship can mean anything nowerdays, so many folk have got into this subject with books, DVD's, clinic's and courses.

Some people claim to have invented it, others say they are just passing on what they have learned.

"When people think of natural horsemanship that could mean a lot of things. It isn't natural for a horse to be around people, and it's not natural for a person to be sitting on him either. When we use these words we speak about what's natural for the horse to do within his own boundaries" - Bill Dorrance

An interesting quote from Bill Dorrance, one of the founders of the Natural Horsemanship movement, though I doubt he would be all that comfortable as being thought of as such.

If you choose to go down this route, you best be consistent in what you learn and what you want from your horse.

If you take on Natural Horsemanship and develop your 'feel' you will find that there are few limits to what you can achieve with any horse.

Trying too many methods lead to confusion for both human and horse, get to understand one and be excellent at it.

I don't think it's a good idea to go back to traditional methods once you have used natural methods on a horse. I think it is better to pass the horse on to another person who uses and is accomplished at Natural Horsemanship methods rather than try to retrain it, it doesn't work in the majority of cases and the horse suffers.

Thousands of people use 'Natural Horsemanship' methods in the UK, and there are some fantastic results.

Best of luck with it if you do decide to take it up.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much, I had not heard of Bill Dorrance before, so I will be sure to pursue his books :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top