What is Natural Horsemanship ?

 

Natural horsemanship is neither a new concept nor a modern practice.  Xenophone (431-355 BC), the Greek horse trainer, is generally recognised as being the father of natural horse training.  His treatise ‘On Horsemanship’ has influenced many trainers and owners in the way they keep and train their horses.

Many of the well-known practitioners of natural horsemanship come from the USA:  Tom and Bill Dorrance, Ray Hunt, John Lyons, Clinton Anderson, Buck Brannaman, Monty Roberts, and Pat Parelli.  However, here in France, there are also many people who have trained under these people and who are now recognised as professionals in their own right.  Some have simply observed and studied horses and developed their own method of natural horsemanship.  Among them are Elisabeth de Corbigny, Eric Flachaire, Nicolas Blondeau, Laure Bousquet, Bruno Montheuus, Thierry Dhaussy, Donald Newe and of course La Cense who started with Pat Parelli’s method but has since evolved to meet the demands of the public in France.  Most of these people are English speakers which is very useful if your French is limited!

Natural horsemanship aims to understand and work with the horse rather than training him by force and domination.  People like Monty Roberts and Pat Parelli with their business acumen have succeeded in reaching the general public in Europe rather than just professionals.  There are many books, DVDs, videos and websites available which can be studied at home.

Gaining confidence by trust and not fear is the aim of all who practise natural horsemanship, so that horse and rider may work together in harmony rather than discord.

Xenophon of Athens, was a soldier, mercenary, and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates. He is known for his writings on the history of his own times, preserving the sayings of Socrates, and the life of ancient Greece.

Xenophon is often cited as being the original "horse whisperer", having advocated sympathetic horsemanship in his "On Horsemanship".