Most riding schools focus on just that ……..riding. But in the world of a Horseman this is only one-fourth of the skills and knowledge we need to become safe and skillful with horses.

Horses are more that just a riding animal. They are an attitude on four feet. They also have instincts, thoughts and emotions about people and this determines how they will respond or react, positively or negatively.

Unconsciously, people can trigger survival instincts in a horse and the consequences are great. A horse will do anything to escape if he perceives that his survival is threatened, and because we aren't traditionally taught how a horse thinks, the bolting, rearing, striking, bucking, kicking and biting is labelled a vice, when in fact it's a sure sign of self-defence, or of domination and disrespect.

Horses are herd animals who have a strong need for social order. They will do battle to find out who is the strongest, fastest, quickest and bravest. And once the alpha horse has been established, the dominance games go on until the pecking order is established all the way down the line. And don't think it stops there! When people come into the picture, and the horse gets over his fear, he will play these same dominance games with them.

• It is a philosophy that teaches you to become so good with horses, that even horses will think you're brilliant!
• It works through an understanding of the laws of nature.
• It is communication through understanding and psychology rather than force, fear and intimidation.
• It considers the horse's point of view.
• It means no need for artificial aids for restraint.
• It teaches you to be a 'natural' with horses and to think like a human.
• Natural Horsemanship has become a strong philosophical direction for horse people all over the world…..because it works.
  
  
  Understanding horse psychology is a big key to becoming skillful. When you understand that survival, comfort and play are important to horses (and in that order), and you learn to read their body language, understand their games and needs and play those games with them, you get to enter a very special zone. The zone of true horsemanship.......