Kind-of-a-Poll: Favorite Natural Horsemanship Method?
Hey! I would like to do some natural horsemanship with my horses, but cannot decide which method to choose. So can you just answer these questions:
1) Which was your favorite method?
2) Why?
3) How quickly did you see results (not really concerned about speed of it, but just wondering)?
4) How much did it cost? We are on a budget and probably can't spend much more than $50.
Thanks!
Oh, and links to websites would be great!
Update:@ linda- I don't know. Did they? If so, then excuse me for asking this.
Comments
1 - Monty Roberts or Kelly Marks
2 - Uses common sense
3 - Even if I don't plan to join up and just want to loose school, my pony tries to join up. Worked well with my first pony who was 75% evil about 90% of the time
4 - Not a thing. As long as you understand what you need to achieve and how to do it, it's very easy. Also Kelly Marks has a FB page and a website called Intelligent Horsemanship (neither her or Monty ever call it natural horsemanship - natural horsemanship would be watching them in the wild from a distance and not doing anything to interfere.) I think she also has a YouTube channel - there are plenty of videos out there, but make sure they are demonstrating Monty's method.
You don't need a Dually halter, but if you have a bargy horse or a bad loader that you're trying to work with then a controller headcollar is very similar to a Dually halter if you don't have the money for one. Other than that, all you need is a lunge line and a round pen or a school you can section off easily using large jumps and just hope your horse doesn't decide it's a Grade A showjumper!
Whatever you choose to do, stay clear of Parelli - results are minimal and it is just a money making scheme. When it first started, they cared about horses, but not any more - just look at what they did to Catwalk, a showjumper at the Whitaker's yard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gf7w_1ifus
1. The Common Sense Method
2. Anyone with half a brain and experience with horses can do it.
3. Results come as quick as the horse is capable of learning.
4. Here's the best part! It's absolutely free! None of that paying a ridiculous amount of money to so-called natural horsemen who don't accomplish anything with your horse, no more paying $120 to move up a level or buying a ridiculous amount of equipment you could get at any farm store for the fifth of the price. All you need is a little bit of common sense!
There are many natural horsemanship teachers in the public arena these days. I have been to clinics with Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson and Dennis Reis. I prefer Parelli and Anderson out of these three. I have seen educational material from Chris Cox and Julie Goodnight and others and there are some similarities among the trainers but some distinct differences as well. Some will concentrate on different disciplines in their training, such as cutting cow horses. Parelli, Anderson and Reis all concentrate on the basics, putting a basic foundation on your horse and being safe with horses. I started with Parelli group at least 15 years ago. I am not familiar with recent changes in their programs as I have not been to a clinic or training session in a very long time. I had great success and continue to use the methods in my everyday life. My trainers were amazing and I am still in touch with my trainer on occasion as we are great friends and she is the most amazing horse woman I have ever met. She is a loving and caring and extremely intelligent woman and can handle any problem with any horse and remain cool and calm and successful. Results cannot be judged in length of time. It is different with each person and the situation. It took a lot of time for me as I had a very very difficult and dangerous horse. I could not take him to clinics as he was deemed too dangerous to come and be with 11 other people and their horses so I had to have private sessions. The cost was very expensive but for me, it was worth it and I do not have any regrets about spending the money. It was a great learning experience for me and helped my boy beyond belief, and that is what is important. Your $50 will not get you very far with any of the NH trainers unfortunately so I don't know what to suggest. I have seen other posters say that there are some sessions with Clinton Anderson posted on the internet but I am not familiar with this.
You have to learn the language of the horse. You have to learn body language. You have to learn to control yourself in the most dangerous of situations. You have to stay calm when you have a horse towering above you on the end of a lead rope with fire coming from his nostrils. It is not easy and it is especially not easy without a teacher. You have to develop feel, timing and balance with the horses. You have to know when to ask and when to release. Again, it is not just common sense. It is much more difficult than that and having common sense will not teach you the vast amount of material you need to know if you are going to be successful. There are a lot of people out there that failed after attending some educational clinics. It is not for everyone as not everyone will be able to understand the methods and perform the tasks successfully. It is worth it if you want to take the time to do it correctly. Just pick someone you like and go for it. good luck with your efforts.
1. Clinton Anderson's Method
2. He is very simple to understand and gets straight to the point
3. Very quickly, my filly started to trust/respect me more within a month
4. Uh....I got the fundamentals kit for $400- I'm a member so I got a discount...
downunderhorsemanship.com is his website.
Did not someone under a different alias ask a very similar question under "horse racing"?