Natural Horsemanship Training Explained

Natural Horsemanship Training Explained CAPPY JACKSON The history and philosophy behind natural horsemanship and what it means for you and your horse A Note From The Editor

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Visit MyHorseDaily.com Equine Network/Not to be reprinted/All rights reserved/www.MyHorseDaily.com The introduction of “natural” horsemanship was hailed as a new era for the relationship between equine and human. Here, two horsemen-turned- authors take a look at the philosophy driving this popular trend.

Adapted from a story by Jennifer Forsberg Meyer

ver the past de- Background cade, the term The term “natural horseman- “natural horsemanship” was reportedly coined by ship” has become Pat Parelli, one of a group of part of everyday innovative trainers and clini- equestrian jargon. cians who owe much of their OBut what exactly does the term knowledge to a modern-day mean, what is involved in its cowboy named Tom Dorrance practice, and what is the differ- (see sidebar), who believed that ence between that and tradi- non-coercive techniques that tional horsemanship? consider the horse’s point of According to behaviorist/ view are the most humane and veterinarian Robert M. Miller, the most effective. originator of imprint train- Dorrance’s influence, espe- ing for newborn foals, and cially through his protégé, Ray Rick Lamb, a horse lover and Hunt, can be traced to virtu- equestrian radio program ally every corner of the natural host, it’s the trend toward horsemanship movement. gentler, “horse-centric” tech- Others counted as founding fig- niques that characterizes this ures include Dorrance’s brother “natural” approach, which is Bill, as well as Parelli, Monty believed to benefit both horse Roberts, Richard Shrake and and rider. John Lyons. Is this an entirely new This growing number of concept? Well, yes and no. like-minded clinicians—most In their book The Revolution of them gifted teachers and en- in Horsemanship and What trepreneurs—“spread the word” It Means to Mankind (The From left: Rick Lamb and Robert through clinics, demonstra- Lyons Press), Miller and Miller, co-authors of The Revolution in tions, magazine articles and vid- Lamb maintain that many Horsemanship and What It Means to eos. Throughout the 1980s, their natural horsemanship tech- Mankind, believe that natural horseman- message spread among cowboys, niques date to antiquity, with ship benefits both horse and rider. ranchers and the horse-owning the teachings of Simon of public at large. Athens, Xenophon, Alexander the generations, there were horse “whisper- The current wave of trainers and Great, Antoine de Pluvinel, William ers” the likes of Denton Offutt, John clinicians in this vein includes Clinton Cavendish, and Francois Robichon dela Solomon Rarey, Kell B. Jeffery and Anderson, Buck Brannaman, Craig

H&R file p h o t os Gueriniere, among others. In successive Monte Foreman to carry the banner. Cameron, Peter Campbell, Leslie

3 Equine Network/Not to be reprinted/All rights reserved/www.MyHorseDaily.com Visit MyHorseDaily.com Above: A rider attending a Julie Goodnight clin- ic learns some of the basics of natural horsemanship. Right: Clinician Clinton Anderson befriends a young prospect during a “Road to the Horse” competition.

Desmond, Bryan Neubert, Linda Parelli, Julie Goodnight, GaWaNi Pony Boy, Chris Cox, Mark Rashid, Stacy Westfall and Dennis Reis, among many others.

Why Now? Some skeptics have argued that nothing humans do with a horse is truly natural, in the strictest sense. They contend that humans’ inborn nature generally prompts us to use coercion as a first— rather than last—resort. On the rare oc- casion in history when an enlightened individual took a gentler approach to horse handling, the results were sometimes looked upon as anything but nat-

ural. Case in point: the itinerant Italian K I M D OUG L AS TT OM: BO heidi ny l an d. Top :

44 Visit MyHorseDaily.com Equine Network/Not to be reprinted/All rights reserved/www.MyHorseDaily.com ›› Urbanization changed Americans’ attitudes toward animals, to the point where horses became viewed less as objects and more as companions, and violence towards them became less acceptable.

›› Women (who tend to me more nurtur- ing and less aggressive than men) came to be involved with horses in growing numbers—even outnumbering men.

›› Horsemanship became a recreational interest rather than a necessary life skill, making one’s relationship with the horse the most prized benefit to many.

Countering the Naysayers Among the criticisms routinely leveled at the natural horsemanship phenomenon is the contention that it’s all “flash”— that is to say, marketing and promotion. “On the contrary,” Miller and Lamb argue in their book, “marketing only brings attention to a product, and poor products cannot stand the scrutiny. “Indeed, the demand for education has resulted in vastly improved sys- tems of communicating timeless principles of horse psychology and horse handling, enabling ordinary horsemen to achieve extraordinary results with their horses in greater numbers than history has ever known.” Do clinicians seek to make money sharing their techniques? Certainly, but this isn’t a bad thing, the authors contend. “As an industry,” they write, “natural horsemanship has a comfort- able life of its own, a secure and sizable niche within the larger equine industry. As clinician Stacy Westfall illustrates, exercises in natural horsemanship can take many forms. It feeds the hopes and dreams of countless backyard horsemen, and an increas- horse trainer whose work with his trick ›› Behavior emerged as a field of study, ing number of serious competitors. All horse Mauraco reportedly prompted making it more likely that humans would are more than happy to pay for the God-fearing peasants in 17th-century examine how a horse’s mind works. sustenance. The product is that good. Arles, France, to burn him for being in Everybody wins.” collusion with the devil. ›› The populace became better educat- So why the popularity now? Within ed, and interested in learning yet more. ‘Different’ vs. Right or Wrong the last 100 years, according to Miller When shopping for a natural horse- and Lamb, the following factors have ›› Modern technology vastly speeded manship clinician, it’s important to re-

H&R file p h o t converged: and facilitated the sharing of ideas. member that different clinicians might

Adapted from a story by Judy Reynolds

Editor’s Note: Tom Dorrance passed away in June 2003 at the age of 93, but his philosophies are carried on by many of today’s natural horsemanship trainers and clinicians.

Some called him a guru and a Zen master, and no wonder. Even in his 80s, Tom Dorrance had an uncanny ability to read a horse and divine what he needed and when. But Dorrance shunned such labels, simply saying, “Everything I learned, I learned from the horse.” He was too modest. For more than a quarter century, Dorrance was at the head of a quiet revolution in horse handling. His philosophy of “true unity and willing communication,” built on an acceptance of the mind, body and spirit of the horse, had found an enthusiastic audience among equestrians frustrated with more traditional approaches to horse- One of the original “horse whisperers,” the late Tom Dorrance spent much of his life helping human relationships. His disciples—including Ray people get in tune with their horses. Hunt and Buck Brannaman—spread the gospel in clinics from coast to coast. The morning Laddie and I arrived, Dorrance impossible to fit into the how-to mode of today’s was talking with five visitors about a string trick. equine literature, these principles can be mad- Westwind Ranch It had four steps, and if you missed even one, dening. And, I must admit, they turned my “train- The steady stream of horse trailers bouncing you couldn’t complete it (a concept Dorrance ing program” completely on its head. But they down the road to Westwind Ranch attested to often relates to horse handling). This trick re- changed my relationship with horses forever, as the undiminished appeal of Tom Dorrance’s quired attention and dexterity, and it could make they have for countless others who learned from ideas and methods. One bright fall day I was someone feel like an idiot. Not that this was its Dorrance or his followers. part of the procession, with my 9-year-old intention. Dorrance loved brainteasers, maybe Here are a few of Dorrance’s principles: Thoroughbred, Laddie, in tow. because he loved to see people try to figure We needed help. Laddie had spent three years things out—including their horses. Establish mutual respect. At one time or on the racetrack and could be explosive. He liked “If people figure a thing out for themselves, another, most of us have been told that the horse to bolt. He traveled heavily on the forehand and maybe it’ll stick with them awhile,” he said. must respect us. In trying to win that respect, I would hang onto my hands at the canter. I had have often been counseled to “make” the horse trouble getting his attention at times and often felt A New Way of Thinking do what I want him to do, and the quicker, the frustrated and vulnerable while riding him. I soon learned that taking a “lesson” from better. Very few people concern themselves with Previously, I had sought the advice of an Dorrance involved more deduction than instruc- earning the horse’s respect. Dorrance did. His excellent hunter/jumper trainer and a talented tion. A few spare observations were often are the definition of respect was based on an under- dressage rider. Laddie’s dramatic tendency only clues you were given in trying to figure out standing of the horse’s perceptions, motivations to bolt had led both to recommend a double- the how, what and why of a situation. and preferences. It requires reading the horse, twisted wire snaffle. Though this bit offered more Nonetheless, in my week at Westwind, I noting the look in his eye and position of his control, I knew it did not address the fundamen- gradually learned some of the basic principles ears, so that at any given moment your response tal problem, whatever that was. Safety was still underpinning what Dorrance called true unity will be appropriate. And it means that everything out of reach. I decided that if I had to ride Laddie and willing communication between horse is done slowly, quietly and carefully.

in such a severe bit, I’d rather not ride at all. and rider. Because they are amorphous and “It’s very important to be able to present cappy jackson

6 Visit MyHorseDaily.com Equine Network/Not to be reprinted/All rights reserved/www.MyHorseDaily.com use different approaches and techniques of us overlook. Tiny details, he said, when added to achieve the same result. They are up, can provide a clear picture of bigger issues not necessarily better or worse, and any down the road. “By solving the little things, you comparisons, as Miller and Lamb point might avoid bigger problems later on.” out, are analogous to saying to a car For example, saddling and bridling a horse dealer, “Tell me why I should buy your was an exercise in total awareness when done Chevy instead of that Ford across the under his watchful eye. “If the horse stands street.” In short, the choice comes down quietly for bridling, saddling and mounting, to personal preference. then you have some communication going on,” Despite all the choices out there, he said. To put on the bridle, Dorrance turned resistance to natural horsemanship Laddie’s head slightly toward him. Every time persists among some longtime horse the horse began turning away, Dorrance gently industry insiders. As Lamb explains, bent him back, sometimes pressing his right many people still don’t understand hand up where the throat meets the jaw to the principles that undergird natural relax him. horsemanship. The same goes for saddling. The horse was to “Some think it’s just all-gentle, all- stand absolutely still, without grinding his teeth, the-time, but that’s not accurate,” he According to Dorrance, simple exercises like shaking his head or fidgeting. If at any point he says. “A natural horseman will get after mounting provide opportunities for working became agitated, Dorrance stopped everything a horse to insist on compliance, but the on communication. and settled him down before proceeding. difference is he’ll always give the horse As for the mounting, Dorrance preferred a chance first to respond to a gentle yourself to the horse in a way that is acceptable getting on from a fence or block, because it’s request—one that the horse can easily to him,” he said. easier for both horse and rider. The horse could understand.” In Dorrance’s view, respect also meant see- be encouraged, with the reins over his head, to ing to a horse’s needs, from making sure he has move up closer to the rider. Dorrance advised ‘Natural’ vs. Traditional enough hay and water to adjusting his tack for a little lift on the inside rein as the rider swings Natural horsemanship seems here to maximum comfort. his leg over the saddle, which will help the horse stay, with related tie-ins to new kinds of keep from moving off. If he steps away as you equipment, hoof care, health care, alter- Work with a horse’s instincts, not against mount, that small beginning could lead to much native therapies and equine nutrition. them. “People don’t always take into consider- more dangerous moves. But accepting natural methods needn’t ation the way the horse looks at the safety issue,” All these details require a tremendous mean turning one’s back on traditional Dorrance said. “They force the horse into situa- amount of attention, but Dorrance believed they horsemanship. tions where he doesn’t feel safe, at the same time are the foundation for willing communication. As Miller and Lamb write, the expecting him to learn something new.” “It’s like the string trick,” he said. “If you’re hav- phenomenal popularity of natural The horse’s instinct to flee when con- ing trouble on step number two, you won’t get horsemanship occasionally results in fronted with a perceived threat is a prime to step number three. And if you don’t clear up a disturbing disdain among new con- example. Dorrance did not try to push a horse problems at step number three, you’ll have to verts towards anything that smacks of toward the source of his fright. A spook was wait for step number four.” “tradition”: sometimes met by turning Laddie to face the Dorrance understood fully what so many of object and, at the same time, allowing him us only pay lip service to: the fact that we can- In their zeal, [beginning students to move away from it. The purpose: to build not “make” a horse do anything. We can ask a of natural horsemanship] sometimes the horse’s confidence that the rider will not horse, but we can’t make him. Not only is the alienate other horsemen who have confine him beside the perceived danger and horse 1,000 pounds heavier than a person, but not yet been converted. This is a nor- to let the horse assess the danger so he can also his persona is the living expression of free- mal stage in the process of resetting learn to feel safe. dom and independence. the mind to see the world from the “For lack of a better word, I’ve taken to call- horse’s point of view. But it is a tran- Use your powers of observation to make ev- ing this the horse’s spirit,” Dorrance said. “The sitional stage … ery experience count. Working with Dorrance older I get, the more I have come to believe that Traditions–even new ones such as was intense, because he was constantly noticing this aspect of the horse is the most important natural horsemanship–must always

C H AR LE S BROOKS so many seemingly insignificant things that many and the most overlooked.” be considered on their own merits … for instance, traditional Western

7 Equine Network/Not to be reprinted/All rights reserved/www.MyHorseDaily.com Visit MyHorseDaily.com Clinician Linda Parelli works to establish communication and mutual respect—two fundamentals of natural horsemanship—with a young trainee.

riding gets its share of criticism for its traditional horsemanship, as practiced The Bigger Picture use of curb bits. But natural horse- by the average rider, is a commit- Ultimately, Miller and Lamb insist that manship does not preclude the use ment to seeing the world through the this revolution has the potential to im- of curb bits. Remember Xenophon’s horse’s eyes, to understanding what prove human beings, as well. “[It] is a lesson from so many centuries ago: motivates him and to making him a test to prove that we humans can use Even the harshest bit may be made partner rather than a servant. This is our power of reason to displace our ani- light by the rider’s hands. Any bit the philosophical part, the horseman’s mal instincts, and to have an amicable can be used cruelly and any bit mindset. When the natural, empa- relationship with another individual, can be used humanely. The entire thetic mindset is present, traditional no matter how different that individual California vaquero system of bridling methods take on a different flavor. is from us,” they write. “We can avoid is calculated to produce a horse that They are applied with more sensitiv- the use of force, eliminate conflict, and can be controlled with a very light ity. The hands don’t yank on that establish a mutually beneficial relation- touch on a curb bit. There is noth- curb bit; they change an angle slightly ship if we know how.”

ing inconsistent there with natural or squeeze gently, and no one knows The process involves re-inventing T URA L H ORS E MANS HI P horsemanship … in any approach except the horse and rider… when the ourselves, not just as horsemen, but also to horsemanship, we must consider horse’s point of view is important to as human beings. “This new person,” both its philosophical basis and its the horseman, traditional and natural write the authors, “observes, remem-

practical application. horsemanship are not so far apart as bers and compares. He listens more ELLI NA T R E SY PAR

What has often been missing in they first appear. and talks less. He takes responsibility COUR

8 Visit MyHorseDaily.com Equine Network/Not to be reprinted/All rights reserved/www.MyHorseDaily.com rather than assigning blame. He controls his emotions. He becomes aware of his body language. He commits himself to acting justly. He cultivates patience. He forgives. And, of course, he places the wants and needs of another living creature ahead of his own.” The authors point out that if we, the ultimate preda- tor, can change ourselves enough to establish mutually beneficial relationships with horses, the ultimate prey species, then we should be able to do the same for our own species—to the benefit of humankind:

Who among us would not agree that the world would be a better place if our leadership was benevolent, our purposes clear, our intentions honor- Though their techniques may differ, natural horsemanship proponents such as John Lyons (top) able, our behavior consistent, and our

H&R FILE P H O T OS and Leslie Desmond (above) all seek a conflict-free relationship between horse and rider. relationships empathetic? ….

9 Equine Network/Not to be reprinted/All rights reserved/www.MyHorseDaily.com Visit MyHorseDaily.com Natural horsemanship is here to stay, with clinicians like Chris Cox actively spreading the word about horse-friendly training and riding. H&R FILE P H O T

We all know there is something calling as humans. Perhaps that is the us—about reaching that potential. different and special about horses. But real importance of this revolution in perhaps it is really that there is some- horsemanship. The Revolution in Horsemanship and thing different and special about us What It Means to Mankind is available when we’re with them. We recognize in And, if so, perhaps natural horse- from HorseBooksEtc. at http://horsebooks the horse a means to reach our highest manship is a clarion call to all of etc.com.

• Visit MyHorseDaily.com for Credits daily articles on all things horses. Natural Horsemanship Training Explained: The history and philosophy behind natural horsemanship and what it • Subscribe to MyHorse Daily means for you and your horse and weekly e-newsletters, This report is brought to you by the editors of EquiSearch.com, Horse&Rider magazine and EQUUS free how-to videos, tips and magazine. much more.

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