Facts#
Fact#1. Horses are prey animals
They are naturally afraid of human beings because we are predators. Many horses are truly and deeply afraid, they live in this state constantly and their self preservation actions are often labeled disobediences such as bucking, rearing, bolting, biting, kicking, being hard to catch, pulling back, refusing to load into trailers or other small spaces like race barriers and roping boxes. etc
Horses are prey animals they think completely differently from us.
Learn to look at things from the horse’s point of view.
The first step is for you to start looking at things from the horse’s point of view. In order to do this you’ll need to understand horse psychology, how horses think. Horses don’t think about anything the same way we do.
Fact#2. If you always do what you’ve always done you’ll always get what you’ve gotten.
Don’t underestimate the power of this statement! One of the hardest things you are going to be exposed to is having to let go of your old habits and techniques that you learned and used before getting into natural horsemanship.
Traditional horsemanship teaches us to blame the horse for his resistances.
Remember that traditional horsemanship is based on the premise that the horse has to be trained and is responsible for the development of numerous torturous and restraining devices designed to control and force the horse to submit.
Cause your idea to become the horse’s idea but listen to the horse’s idea first.
Natural horsemanship comes from exactly the opposite corner. Instead of force we use psychology. The whole secret is to cause the horse to think it is his idea and that he never questions or hesitates at our requests. If you don’t think this is possible watch the video “Do More with Your Horse…Naturally” and see how relaxed, willing and connected those horses are to their humans in a completely exposed environment.
Fact#3 Variety is the spice of life but consistency is a good teacher. Too much variety lacks consistency and too much consistency is down right boring!
Horses and people both learn best when they are on a program and when it is fun or stimulating. To do things here and there will not effect a significant change. Some of the things we are going to set for you to do will involve repetition over a period of time – 4 days, 7 days or even a few months. This doesn’t necessarily mean every day ( which will be a relief to those of you that can’t get to your horse every day) but it will mean for example, that the next four or seven times you are with your horse you must repeat this process.
To develop habits and change behaviour. You can’t do it occasionally. You need to follow a program.
Fact#4 Imagination is even more important than knowledge.
Einstein said it and we live by it! Without imagination you’ll get stuck in the mud. And that’s where modern horsemanship is right now. It’s been a hundred years since horses have set any new race speed records. Its been seventy years since the height jumping record has been broken. Dressage is not getting better. Neither is cow-working, barrel racing, polo… you name it. In fact people are not even tapping 25% of what a horse is capable of giving as a partner because they do not behave as partners in the true sense of the word. With heads strapped down, mouth tied shut, harsh bits, spurs and whips, with boring, rigorous and forceful training regimes, how can you expect this noble animal to be enthusiastic about partnering up?
Get ready for accessing the horse’s mind and spirit, his friendship and willingness to give, for throwing away those cruel devices which are just symbols of the increasing gap between horse and human. Get ready for imaginative approaches to developing your skills as well as your Horse’s mind, emotions and physique.
Horses love to play, if he is recreation for you how can you become recreation for your horse?
Horses love to play. We just have to learn how to play with them and then use it constructively towards whatever we want to do with them.. work, breed, play or win.
This program is about becoming much more than a good rider, it’s about becoming a horseman. This is someone who is savvy with horses, on the ground: with and without a rope on the horse’s back: with and without a saddle, with and without reins.
Riding is nothing more than the mere act of not falling off. Learn to become much more than a good rider.
Get soaked with SAVVY.
