I though that it was called NATURAL Horsemanship?

Question

I have been watching these shows on RFDtv on natural horsemanship techniques and how to "strengthen the relationship with your horse". Yes, I'll admit, what I see these guys doing is something that I could never IMAGINE to get my horse to do now, but their ways of accomplishing it seem so fake and mean. I've seen people like Clinton Anderson, Craig Cameron, and a few others get on tv, act like they just got on the horse for the first time that day, and they made the horse do "this" and "that" by just doing these "simple easy steps". Yet, the entire time I watch this I'm looking at the horse and they're huffing and puffing and look miserable. I've only seen one person that can show you how to accomplish the same thing, more even, only do it in a kind way that looks fun for both horse and owner. Pat Parelli. He is playing GAMES with the horses, and you can even SEE how they would build a trusting relationship. Are there other clinitions out there who, like Pat, aren't down right fake?

Answer 1

first RFDtv is entertaining but remember to take it with a grain of salt.trainers like parelli,anderson and cameron send out people who work for them to evaluate a horse before it is even trailered to the show so they know how the horse is going to react before they even see it enter the arena,there have been some horror stories from horse owners who have let some of these trainers use their horses for a show and some of the horses had to be retrained after they were allowed to go home due to mental stress and some physical injuries.if you would like to read about a good training method and trainer who is not into making a ton of money look up Richard Shrake,he is very intelligent and mixes old ways with new ways of training.a good trainer always has an open mind  in looking for a way to learn from a horse.

Answer 2

I was fortunate in that my introduction to natural horsemanship came from a trainer who has worked with these trainers professionally, and she uses combinations of the techniques they use. She began with the Parellis and branched out from there.  I believe there are good methods coming from most you've named, and some other good trainers out there as well.  Anything that does the job while fostering trust and partnership is worth doing when it comes to horse training. I will say there were moments when I know my Arab was miserable, like when he had to adapt to being on a plastic tarp, and he didn't want to.  But it quickly passed, and he understood that he was not hurt, and he got over his silly fear and benefitted from the lesson.  He was never abused in the process, but he had to do it before he was going to finish his work that day.  In one session, he learned to walk and trot on it, stand quietly on it, forget about it enough to do pivots and yields on it, and nicely be led on 3 feet of dangling lead all over it.  He never feared it again after that one session.  But he did snort and pitch some mini fits in the beginning.  I believe he is safer not only for riding, but he is safer to himself when he learns to calm himself and get over things like this.

I agree with john r....Richard Shrake is one of the best, although he does make money on his videos as well.

Answer 3

RFDtv has some strange stuff on it. I wouldnt try any of it ever but thats me. Like the previous post said: Monty Roberts does it best and doesnt claim that "anyone" can do it.

I dont liek Clintion AT ALL. I was watching RFDtv and he was working with a really pushy horse. It was all over the handler during feed time. The guy pulled out something that looked like a lunge whip and when the horse got near him is the pen (at feed time) Clinton laid the lash across his back. The horse was like "@&$^%!!" and stood shaking in the corner till the guy left. He finally went to the food after Clinton drove away. That was his method of retraining the horse.

Pat is better but he sets people up to ruin horses (and kill themselves) by saying anyone can do it. Cause they just cant.

Answer 4

The only guy I've heard of that actually does "natural" horsemanship is Monty Roberts. I knew that Clinton and Parelli existed, I've just doubted their methods because to me they seem to be in it for the money. Monty will work with horses that have been badly "damaged" by people; a few have been hurt so badly that they go so far as to attack people. As far as I know, none of the other guys would even think about doing that.

Monty's got a few books out, I've got 2 of them. He calls his method Join-up, because it's more like asking your horse to be in a partnership with you. I'd recomend checking him out. Unfortunately I don't know what RFDtv is, so I wouldn't be able to tell you if he was on there.