Here are some of the training approaches done by both the “natural” and the “traditional” trainers. One of the ways of desensitizing a horse to human contact using the “natural” method is simply being around the animal. This allows the horse to see that the human is not going to hurt him. The way that a trainer following the “traditional” method would do it is by going straight into trying to bridle, halter or saddle him. However, this is more aggressive and does not give the horse a chance to understand.
Rubbing the horse all over with a hand is a way to desensitize the horse to touch. Another way would be by using a tarp, ropes or other objects. The problem with this last approach is that it is not as personal and is too sudden an idea for a young horse to grasp. Human touch should be compared to a mare rubbing her foal. Later, after the foal is familiar to the human touch, smell, sound and presence, then the objects can be applied.
A fair approach to teaching a horse a new skill is to use pressure. In the herd, horses use pressure and release to move or communicate with each other. Horses can sense a message from an eye or from a level of energy. The idea of using pressure is to let the horse find the right answer.
If, say, a horse is being taught to turn his head in the direction the trainer wants, a good trainer would put some pressure on it until the horse turns his head then releases. The release is what teaches the horse to give into the cue. A less sensitive trainer may jerk the head around or continue to apply the pressure when the horse responds.
The whole idea behind the “natural” horsemanship is that the human tries to work the horse by using the equine language (Lamb 44). There is a common belief among trainers that states that what may seem slow to you may not seem slow to the horse. The method also applies that it is a good idea to break lessons into steps and into smaller steps if need be.
The trainer should know some of the signals that horses give in their equine language. When a horse understands who is dominant, the head will go down. This also shows that the horse is relaxed. If a horse is afraid or does not understand what is being asked, the head will go up. This prepares the horse to take flight when in danger. A soft look in the eye can help the trainer know that the horse is relaxed. The tail muscles near the rump will soften too. Tightness in the tail muscles is another signal of tenseness. An ear turned toward the trainer shows that the horse is paying attention. The horse may go through the motions of chewing when being trained or ridden. This tells the dominant horse that he understands who is in charge or that a signal is understood (Neubert). Horses view humans as another horse and it is important to use the equine language as much as possible to improve the relationship between horse and human.
The “traditional” horsemanship is counter to the “natural” horsemanship. The main reason that methods changed was due to the need of the horse in the human’s life. The horse was needed a hundred years ago but now they are used for pleasure and competition. Since the modern-day life style does not require a horse for transportation most people have a better understanding of “natural” horsemanship.
When a horse is trained and ridden in the correct manner, both rider and horse benefit from this activity. Humans and horses have known each other for thousands of years. Some activities that horses are used for are riding therapy, pleasure riding, hunting, competitions and farm work. It is important to be educated about horses and the methods to work with them. A good trainer will understand how to positively impact a horse’s life. A good horseman should understand how a relationship built out of trust is more effective than a relationship built out of fear. Another factor that should be taken into account is that horses are flight animals. During training, the horse will function at the human’s level of skill. However, that may reverse to the point of the human needing to work at the horse’s level and creating a balance is vital for a good training session. If a person who wants to work with a horse desires to make positive progress with the horse they need to take these factors into consideration. |