{"id":4616,"date":"2014-07-23T12:39:59","date_gmt":"2014-07-23T02:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"\/?p=4616"},"modified":"2026-08-10T11:57:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T01:57:34","slug":"can-learn-better-horsemanship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalhorseworld.com\/stage\/can-learn-better-horsemanship\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can I learn Better Horsemanship?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"LynnActonBookWhatHorsesReallyWant\"
This book is a great place to start. Click the image for more info.\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Become a student of the horse first. Learn to observe, learn to read horse body language<\/a>, and then listen to what your horse is trying to tell you.<\/p>\n

Always ask yourself<\/strong> are you doing this FOR the horse or TO the horse.<\/p>\n

Read a lot<\/strong> (especially the books listed here<\/a>),\u00a0watch as many videos as you can, listen to podcasts, and check out lots of websites.<\/p>\n

Go to as many clinics, courses, and workshops<\/strong> as an observer\/fence sitter\/auditor to find an instructor or clinician that you are happy to learn from. Then when your horse is ready and comfortable with traveling, take your horse to their clinics as often as possible. This post on How To Choose Your Teacher<\/a> by Karen Rohlf is a great guide.<\/p>\n

Follow a program of study<\/strong> until you are accomplished and have something to offer a horse, but don’t get stuck on one method – look at many – they all have something to offer (see list of study programs below).<\/p>\n

Get private lessons<\/strong> when you get stuck, or to keep you on track.<\/p>\n

Join like-minded friends<\/strong> or a group who can support your learning and provide a different environment to play\/study in.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Listen to your horse first – don’t be too goal-oriented<\/strong> – don’t seek awards\/levels at your horse’s expense. Make sure your horse is physically and emotionally ready for any progress in their training.<\/p>\n

Getting started on your horsemanship journey<\/strong><\/h1>\n

So, you\u2019ve made the decision to look into this \u2018natural horsemanship\u2019 way of training horses\u2026 but where do you start?
\nThere is a huge amount of information available now and accessing it online is so easy.
\nDo a search on Horsemanship and you will find over a million pages and references to a vast array of information and horsemen, all offering similar types of methods based on horse psychology.<\/p>\n

While there is a new awareness that to get along better with horses, we must know how they think, their social structure in nature and what language they use, there are still many different and varying ways to \u2018communicate\u2019 with horses.<\/p>\n

Some horsemen (that includes women too) put more emphasis on control and domination than on forming a partnership, so the style of learning you will be attracted to will depend on your attitude to the horse.
\nDo you see your horse as a willing partner, taking into account his\/her moods and emotions, or do you see your horse as recreation for you, or even as a means to obtaining status by winning competitions?<\/p>\n

Learning Styles<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Angelie&Yamuna\"
Learning horsemanship can start at an early age.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Whatever is most important to you will influence the method<\/strong> of learning\/teaching you will be attracted to along with the way information is available and presented. Whoever you choose as a mentor and\/or instructor, will most likely have some sort of system to follow.<\/p>\n

We have multiple ways of absorbing information so choose what works best for you.<\/p>\n

We all learn a little from either reading, seeing, hearing, or participating in learning activities, but each individual will take in more information from one or two of those sources. If you know how you learn best then spend more time studying that way. For example, some people learn a lot from reading so\u2026 read lots of books, articles, and as much information you can get your hands on.<\/p>\n

Others may learn more from watching, so videos, DVDs and observing clinics are a good choice, and then there are those who learn best by doing \u2013 getting hands-on help, so participating in clinics and lesson is ideal for them.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019ve identified your preferred learning source, do some research to find out where you can access the information you want. The internet is an obvious starting place to search for clinicians\/instructors in your area, online courses, support groups (including discussion groups) videos & DVDs, or books written on horsemanship.<\/p>\n

Then immerse yourself in learning by buying those books, ordering a DVD or that home study program, and better still, attending a clinic.
\nDoing all three is better still as even if you do learn best by participating, you will still need some reference material to fall back on when you\u2019re at home, alone with your horse again.<\/p>\n

Physical immersion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Try to get involved if there\u2019s a local study group, then join and go to as many events as possible. Buy or borrow as many DVDs as you can lay your hands on, subscribe to newsletters, and find clinic organizers who can help you get into a starting out clinic.<\/p>\n

Even if there isn’t one being held at a suitable level for you right away, attend higher-level clinics to get an idea of where you are aiming.
\nIf the clinician or instructor has a home study program or DVDs then get those so you can continue to learn after they have gone.<\/p>\n

Have lessons & goals<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Find out if there is a local instructor who follows their methods so you can get help if needed. By being involved in a program that has achievement levels, you can be motivated to stay on track and keep moving toward the goals you set.
\nIf there is no achievement program or you don\u2019t want to participate in one, then write a list of all the things you\u2019d like to improve with your horse and yourself and find out what you need to do.<\/p>\n

Re-write that list as positive things you’d like to achieve and review it every now and then to remind yourself.
\nIt helps to have friends or family who are supportive so share your dreams and find someone to join you on the journey. Even if it\u2019s just a discussion group member who shares your passion, having someone to talk things over with and share the highs and lows of your journey will be essential.<\/p>\n

Share with like-minded people<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"MelissaGuestFriendsLightRider\"<\/a>Stick to sharing your journey only with those who support you and are positive about what you are trying to learn. If you fall into the trap of defending yourself or trying to justify what you are doing to non-believers, the negative energy will drag you down.<\/p>\n

Some people will feel threatened by your new skills or interest in something different and will try to undermine your beliefs, so spend more time with positive people and just be polite without trying to push your newfound skills or information onto them.
\nOften, our enthusiasm for wanting to \u2018show others a better way\u2019 is not understood or seen as a threat.<\/p>\n

Rather than trying to tell people what you think is best, just become a great example and they will see, then ask when they get curious.
\nAs a result, they may be more open-minded about what you tell them and could actually become interested too.<\/p>\n

Choose your best partner<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Select the (horse) you wish to share your learning journey with carefully.
\nMany people look for better ways to train their horses because they have problems that either they have caused or that the horse came with.<\/p>\n

If those issues or problems are too dangerous for someone of your skill level to solve, then enlist help to determine if your horse should spend time with someone more experienced first.
\nOr, find out from a reputable instructor, what small steps you could do to work through the issues safely.<\/p>\n

\"Cynthia<\/a>
Cynthia & Manny in 2005. He was my best teacher. Click to read what I learned from him.\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You may need to take more time and also learn some more skills with another easier horse before you are ready to tackle a true \u2018problem horse\u2019.
\nIn fact, if you can learn some skills with a horse who has been naturally educated, your progress will accelerate by many times.<\/p>\n

You can also learn skills by simulation – something many clinicians use to help a student to first learn a particular feel or technique.
\nFind another person who is happy to have you use them as a horse – that way your horses won’t have to suffer your mistakes and the person can give you accurate feedback.
\nThen you will be more prepared to work with a horse that knows nothing at all or has issues.
\nTry not to put yourself into a situation where it\u2019s \u2018the blind leading the blind\u2019 or \u2018green horse \u2013 green rider\u2019.<\/p>\n

One of my favorite sayings is \u2018(Experienced) Riders teach horses and (Experienced) Horses teach riders\u2019.
\nAbove all, enjoy the journey and be prepared to \u2018take the time it takes\u2019.<\/p>\n

Home study programs and online courses available worldwide<\/strong><\/h3>\n

These are some of the horsemanship teachers I recommend that have accessible online study courses.<\/p>\n