What Does It Mean To Go "Natural"?

If you're a woman and you say you're going to "go natural" it most likely means you're going to let your hair return to its natural color. If you're on a beach in Spain it could mean you are going to leave your bikini behind and go for a truly all-over tan. If you're a horse owner, however, that is making the plan to "go natural" it means that you are going to attempt to give your horse a style of life as near as possible to that of its wild ancestors.

Granted, "natural" only goes so far. And, your horses will thank you for knowing where the lines are. While it sounds romantic and idyllic to think of your horse roaming free across the range, common sense should remind you that the death rate of wild horses is far higher than that of our domesticated horses. Horses in the wild have the constant threat of predators, injuries and illnesses with no caring owner to keep them safe, and when injury or illness does occur, to help nurse them back to health. Only a handful of foals born in the wild make it to adulthood yet foals born to domesticated mares have a very good chance of living to be a ripe old age. Old horses in the wild are targets for predators and illness, yet most people who own horses know the value of a tried and true teenager (or older) and give them the respect and extra care that they deserve. It is not uncommon for a well-loved horse to spend 40 years or more with a caring owner. Few wild horses become teenagers.

All that is true, but there is still much to be said for a natural lifestyle for horses. A horse that is trained using natural horsemanship methods. Horsemanship is the "relationSHIP between HORSE and MAN. It should not be a quest for dominance, it should not be a harsh breaking session that ends with a horse allowing a human to sit on him simply because he was dominated. There is a huge difference in 'breaking' a horse and 'training' it. A well-trained horse, trained using humane natural horsemanship methods will allow a human on his back because he feels that they are partners. Equals.

If you've spent a lifetime in horses, using methods taught to you by "old timers" to "break" your horses, it will likely take you some time to realize the difference. I would suggest that the first thing you should do before you attempt this natual lifestyle is to attend a seminar with Pat and Linda Parelli, Clinton Anderson, Monty Roberts, Linda Tellington-Jones or any of the other wonderful trainers that can open up your eyes (and your mind) to the differences in being a partner with your horse, and being simply an owner. These trainers can train you to understand body language, both yours and your horse. Learn how to use your own body language to give signals to your horse of what you expect from him. And learn your horse's body language to realize what he thinks, sees and feels. Once your eyes have been opened, you will literally ache to watch most people with their horses, knowing the mistakes they are making for which their horses will inevitably suffer.

I attended a Parelli weekend in Jacksonville, Florida last year, and I learned more about horses in those two days than I had learned in an entire lifetime (50 years and counting). A few months ago I went to a Clinton Anderson clinic in Georgia and learned still more. I personally am more attuned to Pat and Linda Parelli, but I believe that to be the best you can be, you can take away something from any natural horsemanship clinic or seminar that you can attend. Learn from the best, pick and choose that which will work best for you and your horse, and be amazed at the difference you'll quickly see in your horse's attitude.

It is sad to realize how much we humans are geared to act as a predator towards a horse. No matter how evolved the species is, horses will forever go through their life as a prey animal. Generations and ages of evolution for the horse created a species that is sensitive and highly attuned to every action, smell and sound around him. In ages past, only the horses that were wary and overly-sensitive managed to survive and breed. Their offspring carried these traits and soon it became simply ingrained in the DNA of the horse to be super-aware of everything that goes on around them.

Let's say you just bought a horse about which you know nothing other than perhaps its pedigree, color and name. You brought it to your home and turned it loose in a paddock. The next morning you go out to see it, and what is the first thing you do? You go through a gate or climb the fence and enter his space. Without asking permission. Would you do that to a new neighbor? No, you'd stand at their front door and ask for permission to enter their home. If the horse shows his disapproval at your action by running or walking away from you, what is your reaction? You likely will walk or run towards him. Probably holding out your hand with a tasty treat To a horse's eye however, you are stalking him, much as a cougar or wildcat stalked his ancestors. So, he runs faster. You try to corner him. He gets away. And you both end up angry and frustrated.

Next time, try the following. Walk quietly to the paddock and stand for a while outside the fence. If you have a treat for him, show him. If he comes straight over to the fence, give him the treat without asking him to share his space any further. If he shows interest in you, you can enter the paddock, quietly and slowly. If he walks away, find something to do. Pick up a water bucket, examine the nails in the boards, check the tautness of the fence. Anything except look at the horse. Soon, you'll likely feel hot breath as he walks up behind you. Again, don't enter his space without his permission. Once he gives it, then you two can begin getting to know each other.

Just as it would be rude to enter a neighbor's home and immedately start bossing her around and asking her to perform for you, it's rude to enter a horse's space, snap a lead on him and immediately start giving him instructions.

After you've given him some treats, rubbed his favorite spots (or searched for them, if this is a new horse) and made him comfortable with you being in his space, snap on a lead line and walk slowly away. If the horse doesn't follow, turn around and face him. Pull slowly on the lead, putting gentle pressure. As soon as he takes a step towards you, RELEASE the pressure immediately. If this is an untrained horse and this is likely a new experience for him, be lavish with your praise, and keep your admonishments for bad behavior to a minimum.

What you've just done is to take the first steps towards understanding what natural horsemanship is all about. Understanding a horse's feelings, and learning how to share your own with him in return. Learn to use your body language for both good and bad. Soon your horse will know when you are pleased or displeased by his actions without a harsh word having to be uttered. He will learn to watch for small signals that ask him for action, and you two will begin a long happy journey together, working as a team. True Horse-Man-RelationShip.

We have owned several rescue horses in the past that came to us because previous owners had abused them so badly that they were now believed to be beyond hope as riding horses. Most of them were victims of people who were too much cowboy and not enough man. Men (and women) who believed that you have to be dominant to be able to maintain respect from their horses. Owners who believed that to spare the rod would spoil the horse. In the end creating horses that had a severe mistrust of humans (who could blame them?) and who were considered lost causes. Most were headed to certain death or worse.

In almost all cases, as soon as we allowed the horse to just be a horse for a while, then started sharing his space only after he invited us in, and then after we'd gained his trust began slowly introducing training in a positive manner, we ended up with a horse that could be placed in a forever home with no problems.

Once you've begun the natural training process, you'll find yourself wanting to provide everything for your horse as naturally as possible. From his feed and diet supplements to his hoofcare. Since the dawn of their time, nature has provided everything a horse needed to survive. The least we can do is work with Mother Nature instead of against her!