Natural Horsemanship or Holistic Horsemanship
Princess
I grew up on ponies and horses. After I got married my husband and I moved to the city and raised our family, it was only supposed to be 3-4 years, but it turned out to be almost 30 years before we made it back out to the country. In all that time I never lost my love (aka obsession) for horses. We all decided that we wanted to rescue a couple from the slaughter pipeline…not exactly the kind of horses I grew up with, but I looked forward to the challenge and reward of them.
Before my horses got here I was studying a lot of natural horsemanship methods, videos from well known clinicians as well as mustang makeover videos. One thing they all have in common is they want to run a horse around a round pen until they ‘join up.” That doesn’t work so well when you don’t have a round pen to work them in, and to be honest, I felt like some of those people take it a bit too far. Some videos made me feel downright sick to my stomach watching how they were so quick to hit the horse. I’m really glad that I don’t have a round pen yet, it forced me to look for other options, and it’s opened my eyes to a whole other way of doing things than what I grew up with.
Monarch
What I found was a more harmonious approach, one that valued trust, respect, and connection…building a relationship. Holistic horsemanship, that’s what I was looking for anyway, gaining a safe partner. And it turns out it’s exactly what I needed with my essentially unhandled, drafty ex-rodeo bronc gelding that came with a tremendous amount of trust debt that I have to work towards paying off. You can read Monarch’s story here. My second horse is a young Thoroughbred type mare, 5-6 years old, and exposed to a couple different stallions. She’s halter-broke, sensitive, unconfident, and can be a nervous wreck sometimes…nice one moment, acting like a spoiled princess the next, so that’s what I named her, Princess.
Every horse is different, every person is different, and every situation is different, but there are so many trainers out there that offer just a little different approach, if you take the time to do some research you will find someone who’s approach works for you. Personally, I feel like I can take something away from all of them, even if I don’t agree with everything they say or do. You have to find your own style, but the more tools you have in your toolbox the easier it will be. Keep in mind that we often times need to put as much work into ourselves as we do our horses, and some trainer’s courses offer that as well.
Holistic horsemanship means the whole horse, that includes bodywork, hoof care, and nutrition as well as training. Stress and tightness can lead to pain, lameness and what looks like bad conformation, and behavioral issues. If you have problems with your horse have a vet rule out physical problems or ulcers, and do some form of energy or massage body work.
Trainers / Courses (not listed in any particular order, nor is it complete. Most have a YouTube channel you can check them out on, or podcasts.)
TRT Method Tristan Tucker’s Self Management System for confident, relaxed horses
Tao of Horsemanship with Caroline Beste
Reach Out To Horses with Anna Twinney
Freedom Based Training, and Taming Wild movies, with Elsa Sinclair
Dr. Maria Katsamanis Creating Magic with Your Horse
Mark Langley Calm Connected Horsemanship
Neil Davies Fear Free Horse Training
Jini Patel Thompson’s Listen To Your Horse
Warwick Schiller – Learn How To Create A Relaxed, Connected, and Skilled Equine Partner
Bodywork
Jim Masterson Method
TellingtonTTouch
Holistic Horse Works
Chiropractic, Massage, Cranial Sacral, Barefoot, Speak Horse – search YouTube videos