Natural Horsemanship: Providing Comfort for the Horse
By Susan Brown
By Susan Brown
Natural Horsemanship Training employs a formula of PRESSURE—HORSE’S RESPONSE—RELEASE OF PRESSURE in every aspect of riding and training our horses. Through repetition, they discover that certain actions will cause the pressure to go away, so they will begin to perform those actions to get relief from the pressure. This communication system will create a soft, willing, loving and happy horse.
First… We Train the Brain
Teach the horse to “give to you”, to accept you, with his brain. Our training program begins with moving the hip away using the lead rope, and when the horse faces you, you relieve all pressure. This conditions him to find comfort by looking at you. As you progress through this step-
Next… Find the “Holes”
We use ground work exercises in order to find where the horse is lacking comfort or respect, and try to fill those “holes” in his emotional makeup. If he is worried about getting back to the herd, find comfort for him by having him face you, as above. Teach the “head down” cue. John Lyons will tell you that lowering a horse’s head actually causes him to relax. Teach him to respect your space. A horse will find comfort in knowing his boundaries and learning respect. Under saddle, if he is nervous in a corner of the arena, ride into it, get off, and just stand there with him for 15 minutes, doing nothing. Make a phone call. Get back on, and ride away. As you continue to find comfort for him when he needs it, he will gain confidence and trust in you.
Provide Consistent Leadership
A rewarding job is challenging and successful. The higher the expectations you have of your horse, the happier he will be, and his job starts the moment you put a halter on him. Don’t ever let his eye pass your shoulder when you lead him. Under saddle, don’t ever let him cut the corner in the arena after you asked him to move into it. Always ask nicely with light pressure the first time, then tell with uncomfortable pressure the second time, not letting up until he gets it right. This way, he will decide to do it off the light pressure BEFORE the discomfort occurs. As he gets better, make your cues lighter and lighter.
Let Him Make Choices
Instead of pulling his nose around with the rein to turn him, apply pressure to his mouth with the rein, and wait for him to turn his nose on his own, then release the pressure. You’ll be amazed at how sensitive and obedient your horse will become. Instead of pushing him over on the crossties, apply increasing pressure and cluck until he decides to move over. Allow him to make mistakes. If he doesn’t make mistakes, you can’t teach him the correct behavior.
These philosophies sound great, but what do I actually DO to achieve them?
Ride With Pleasure employs a step-by-step instruction program, based on Chris Cox’ training program, as well as some of Susan’s own unique techniques, that will teach you specific exercises to help you achieve leadership skills, confidence, assertiveness and understanding of the horse’s point of view. You will gain an education that will last you a lifetime!
We use ground work exercises in order to find where the horse is lacking comfort or respect, and try to fill those “holes” in his emotional makeup. If he is worried about getting back to the herd, find comfort for him by having him face you, as above. Teach the “head down” cue. John Lyons will tell you that lowering a horse’s head actually causes him to relax. Teach him to respect your space. A horse will find comfort in knowing his boundaries and learning respect. Under saddle, if he is nervous in a corner of the arena, ride into it, get off, and just stand there with him for 15 minutes, doing nothing. Make a phone call. Get back on, and ride away. As you continue to find comfort for him when he needs it, he will gain confidence and trust in you.
Provide Consistent Leadership
A rewarding job is challenging and successful. The higher the expectations you have of your horse, the happier he will be, and his job starts the moment you put a halter on him. Don’t ever let his eye pass your shoulder when you lead him. Under saddle, don’t ever let him cut the corner in the arena after you asked him to move into it. Always ask nicely with light pressure the first time, then tell with uncomfortable pressure the second time, not letting up until he gets it right. This way, he will decide to do it off the light pressure BEFORE the discomfort occurs. As he gets better, make your cues lighter and lighter.
Let Him Make Choices
Instead of pulling his nose around with the rein to turn him, apply pressure to his mouth with the rein, and wait for him to turn his nose on his own, then release the pressure. You’ll be amazed at how sensitive and obedient your horse will become. Instead of pushing him over on the crossties, apply increasing pressure and cluck until he decides to move over. Allow him to make mistakes. If he doesn’t make mistakes, you can’t teach him the correct behavior.
These philosophies sound great, but what do I actually DO to achieve them?
Ride With Pleasure employs a step-
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