Just wondering

[Kylie Chamberlain]

I've red alot of books about natural horsemanship and I like the idea of it.
I was just wondering if anyone here had had any experience with it?
Does it work?
I would be interested in starting my horse with natural horsemanship, but i don't want to waste time doing it if it's pointless

[Speedy]

I've done some Parelli with my mare - not loads as we can't do anything at the mo. But when we get join-up it's fantastic. I run around the arena with her right behind me (loose). If I stop, turn and run the other way, so does she. If I go over a jump, so does she. It's wonderful knowing that your horse actually wants to be with you and it builds trust. I haven't done join-up in the Monty Roberts way (ie. chasing her on a circle until she licks and chews etc) as we only have an outdoor arena and the fence is the perfect size for her to jump!! If I chased her away, I'd worry that she'd jump out, but with Parelli it's not so forceful.

[MadWoman]

I'm very much in two minds about this: I think you should be joined up, but not necessarily go through the process of join up, if that makes sense. For example, my horse will follow me around the school and over jumps, will happily jump and legyield in just a headcollar and behaves generally as if he is joined up, yet I have never sent him away or used any specific techniques such as Parelli or join-up with him; this has developed naturally over the time I have had him. I would never send him away now, as it would seem a betrayal - why would he be driven out of the herd when he has done nothing wrong?

Yes, join-up would be very useful in some cases, but not, I believe, when you already have a good relationship with your horse.

[B W]

You have already established that relationship and trust with your horse but not everyone has. From what I've learned, the driving away part is what a boss mare does in the pasture. The two horses will fuss with each other and the boss mare will "tell" the other that she's the boss. The other horse will "submit" and look to that horse for leadership and protection. If something happens in the pasture and the boss mare is not bothered by it neither will the other horses. But if the boss mare runs the others know they better go with her because something is wrong. The same with a human. If you establish that relationship with your horse they will look to you for protection. If there is something that is frightning to your horse and you are not bothered by it the horse won't be either. Yesterday I watched a join up. This mare is deathly afraid of this donkey at the barn. (I am too) After join up with the young girl that was working with her, the donkey came over to the round pen. Ariel would look at the donkey and then at the young girl as if to say "Is everything okay". It was amazing. She did not spook or anything like I had seen her do last weekend. Some see this as punishment but it is never done in that way with a good outcome. It is done with calmness and gentleness.

[belle]

I have joined up naturally with my horses, that is to say, I have never actually done join up but found it was already there.

I do use some natural horsemanship things, I take parts from everything, including monty roberts methods and TTeam for example.

[lamprellsarah]

for me monty roberts methid didn't work with my mare she got got frustrated and annoyed, i think she did partly trust me because the day after i got her we went though quiete an ordeal with fireworks night and i always thought that we had a bit of a bond after that!!
i find other methods like parrelli best for her, as she is a calm farily willing horse anyway, but insecure, so she needs reassurance not pressure!!

[Dizzy]

I think Natural Horsemanship is the best way to bond with your horse, but you must think carefully about the route to take. I have never joined up in the sending away that MR describes, but I have joined up with my horse where she trusts my judgement and will follow me anywhere.

To me its picking out the methods that suit your situation. Like Madwoman I would feel like a total traitor if I sent my horse away from me. Our trust in each other has always been very strong, I was there when she was born. She's always been a very confident horse, which hasn't always gone in my favour, but is fantastic when we're both of the same mind.

I think NH is finding a way to get your horse to respond willingly, without force. Sometimes as I've found its not always easy, horses are individuals and some can ask alot of questions. Its your method of answering them that counts.

Lesley

[Tia]

I agree with what a lot of people have already said.

I do use natural horsemanship bits with my horses, but not from any one teacher in particular. I think different things work with different horses.

One of my three horses and I have a very special bond, so we have a brilliant relationship, but I haven't had to do any sort of join up, yet she will follow me.

I think the best thing is to take the bits from each set of beliefs which work for you and your horse.

[ros]

Just on the subject of round-pen join-up, I was lucky enough to meet Michael Peace at Heather's the other day, and he said something rather interesting.

Someone had visited him - can't remember exactly who it was, but it was someone who either used round pens himself or had seen quite a few other people's. Passing by Michael's, he said something along the lines of "got yourself a new round-pen?" and expressed surprise when Michael said no, he's had it for several years. Apparently all the other pens the chap had seen were bashed and tattered with lots of dents and bars kicked out! So I just wonder exactly what DOES go on when people send their horses to some of the "natural horsemen" out there?

[Sapphire]

I agree ros, sometimes it's not always smooth going!! I think it can be dangerous for the handler if the horse reacts in a negative way, if you can't steady the horse and you can't get out swiftly, you need to become religious very quick!!!!! Or you could climb out!!:D You have to be able to judge a horses character, join up isn't always the way to further your relationship with your equine friend.

[squid_is_ace]

i ahve never tried it!

[K&K]

where can i find info about natural horsemanship? i'd like to try it with my new horse, to form a bond.

[lamprellsarah]

urr well the internet is a great place, but then there are loads of books it really depends whose route or even all of them you want to take, and how you want to go about it!!

[Ikon]

K&K,
THere are quite a few sites but good ones are;
http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/
http://www.parelli.com/Main%20Pages/articles.htm
http://www.visi.com/~jbly/equine/methods/seven_games/

Also the book 'Natural Horse-man-ship' is a good read and worth buying (I couldn't find it at any book stores or horse stores so I keep on renewing it at the Library. lol)

This book would put you along the right lines to completing 'level 1'

[Mazpup]

I think if you already have that bond with your horse without having to "join up" thats great, but I think the idea of those methods id to try and use "horse language" so your horse is more understanding of what you're trying to do.

[Wally]

Most folk don't get to work with truly wild horses, we do!

Never the hand of man upon them, then BAM, dragged from the hill and expected to be co-operative.

No bond with people at all, they see us as a threat. This is where you need to see how a horse will interpret your body language.

Most horses will have been used to people from an early age, they may have had bad handling or little input, but will be used to people and made their decesion as to whether they are to be trusted or not. Anybody with empathy, common sense and a bit of knowledge can get the trust of a horse.

I feel once you have earned the trust of a horse whether it be through common sense handling or positive reward or "joint up" the Monty way or just the fact that the horse has no reason to distrust you, you will learn what your particular horse is tuned to.


I have learned that when dealing with truly wild ponies force is the worst possible way to get anywhere. Body language plays a big part, kind handling plays a big part, but I don't think you need carrot sticks, fancy rope halters, round pens, etc. to be able to train a horse to do what you want a natural way.

I read a lot of these book and can honestly say that there is nothing really new in any of them.

[Mossy]

Amen to that Wally
I see the ponies who have come off the moor. some are bright eyed bushy tailed and happy in their work. Others are not. There are three Dartmoor farmers and local horse breakers [ I have chosen the word deliberately] round us and I would not entrust any of them with a nappy pin.

[Debutante]

An elderly instructor I know said he thinks the Monty Roberts system is 'complete crap'. A little harsh I'd say! :eek: What I think he really means though is that a lot of starting & training a horse is just common sense. Like Wally said, "there's nothing really new" about any of these 'techiques'.
Personally, I think it sounds wonderful and interesting but haven't yet had the chance to experience or observe it firsthand.

[Showjumper]

Natural Horsemanship is the best thing.

[horsequeen]

natural horsemanship is not crazy. whipping, force, and harsh treatment IS crazy.

the method may not work for everyone, but some horses communicate with it. I take Eric Clarke natural horsemanship sessions every two weeks on a lesson horse, and it makes you a better, calmer, and more patient rider! i've formed a bond between my horse. it isn't instant, but when it's there, you know it!

i recommend it to everyone. i also reccomend monty roberts' biography and autobiographies.

[katyptaty]

Whether people think it tosh or not, NH is now much more in people's awareness in the UK which cannot be a bad thing. So whether we agree or disagree with certain methods, only good can come from more people being aware of the horse mind and how to interact with them more effectively.

I started with Monty Roberts methods 3 years ago (certainly wasn't an officionado but it helped me start a bond with my new horse) and have since been incorporating different techniques that i have come across over the years, ditching parts that weren't of use to me or didn't necessarily work with my horse (I now feel a little uncomfortable 'sending him away' for no reason).

Michael Peace is fantastic, certain parts of Parelli (not the ridden part though - didn't suit), Heather Moffat for sympathetic riding, Tanya Larrigan for free schooling and voice training, Clicker training/positive reinforcement for shaping good behaviour, TTouch etc.... all great stuff.

I have a great rapport with my horse now. He comes up the field at a whistle, stands at his stable door when it's open, never naps, walks past scarey things with a word from me, respects my personal space, free schools on a 20m circle in a 60m school, will wait before he eats his food i.e. doesn't rush into the stable to get at it but wait patiently until I have finished with his rugs, feet etc and will walk beside me without leadrope etc.... still cheeky with it, but there you go!

If you haven't yet tried anything, buy a few of the horse magazines which give a good explantion to many techniques or look into all of the above mentioned by doing a search on the net. Positive reinforcement (i.e. if they won't load giving them positive feedback if they make the SLIGHTEST movement in the right direction instead of telling them they are bad when they move back) - is a really good and easy place to start and something that many of us don't think of as being effective.

........ and what's most important - have fun! building a real rapport with your horse is a very rewarding, fun experience.

Kate