Gentle Horsemanship Rooted in the West Takes Hold Across the Nation

[Blackaxe]

Gone are the days when the only way to get a horse to take a saddle was for a cocky, young man to jump on the animal's back and hold on until the horse gave up.

"I feel I can get so much more from the horse the more ... I understand about how his inner feelings are and how his mind works," said Schaack, Haythorn's horse trainer, who sees some 900 horses throughout the year.

First brought to the attention of the American public with the 1998 Hollywood film "The Horse Whisperer", this gentle form of horse training rooted in the West has slowly become the standard.

Over the last decade, it has grown to influence just about every discipline of horse training, including the toney world of English-style riding and the subtle precision of show horses.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBCY5ZDHWD.html

[burrowowl]

1. About time

Queen Elizabeth now uses a technique from a fellow, I forget his name, who trained mustangs by observing how mares looked at young colts and displined them among other things.

[Arugula Latte]

7. This man has done a great service for horses

As I understand it, the man himself was treated brutally by his own father. What a wonderful thing that he did not emulate his father, but instead turned to gentleness and actually came up with a more efficient way to train horses.

I used to have a horse and I wish these techniques were known when I was in my riding days.

[BrotherBuzz]

13. Monty Roberts

He was also the adviser for Robert Redford's movie 'Horse Whisperer'. I believe his techniques are real and they do work but Monty has a dark side and a tendency towards self promotion that goes over the edge at times. His book is a good read but I've talked with horse people who know and have worked with him that admit he's an odd duck. I believe his problems stem from a childhood filled with abuse but there may be more to his problems. Fraud & Deceit - Breach of Contract - Animal Abuse - Negligence & Personal Injury? You decide:

http://citizensforjustice.org/monty/

[Merlin]

2. Thanks Blackaxe. Very interesting.

I remember when I first realized horses are like people. It was a real eye-opener.

[Racenut20]

3. I can see Gene Autry now

After a wild mustang roundup, sitting on the top rail of the corral fence listening to the stallions discussing their inner feelings with him.

[rooboy]

4. Now all we need to do is find a horse who can whisper to George... n/t

[AndyTiedye]

15. Nope. George is Afraid of Horses

[radwriter0555]

5. gosh, startling revelation that living beings respond better to kindness

than brutality!

Glad the horse world has caught up to what most of us already knew.

I used a "horse whisperer" technique on my dog... she's a shelter dog, and a notorious runner -- if that door got open, BAM, she was gone and has lead many a folk on a mile long run.

So one time, I just ignored her. Stood at the street, turned my back on her, didn't call her, and bounced her tennis ball. She was SHOCKED.

Came up to see what I was doing after less than 2 minutes, and I took her collar and walked her back in the door.

No punishment for her of course. Makes no sense to beat her for coming home, right?

Now if she slips out, we just leave the front door open, bounce her tennis ball and she comes back in a few seconds.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. Now if folks would just translate this info

to the way they treat each other...

[Runcible Spoon]

6. I'm glad what we have always known is catching in the

mainstream. I've worked with a lot of abused horses, who were victims of "breaking". We've always taught "making" a horse, not "breaking". As a result, you are rewarded with the most satisfying partnership imaginable.

[Desertrose]

8. Thats how I broke my filly 30+ years ago...

and its how I work with ALL animals.

we just went slow with the blankets & saddle and putting weight on her....have talked to every horse I've ever owned...my first one I swear I could read her mind...saved our collective asses on more than one occasion! :evilgrin:

God, what is it with Americans and power & controlling every damn situation.
Dominance, dominance, dominance.
stupid, stupid, stupid.

For me, treating animals as equal living beings and working WITH them has been better all around.

Peace & :loveya:
DR

[JPJones]

9. I've found that the best way to break a horse

is to bomb/bulldoze the stalls of horses related to a horse that acts up.

[Lefta Dissenter]

10. That would be funny

if it weren't so sad and true... :(

And back to the horsey note: We're working with our third off-the-track thoroughbred now. They don't even know how to be around other horses, let alone people.

[TiredTexan]

14. Oh, that's not the way to do it.

You should be bombing and bulldozing the stables of horses you claim are related to the offender, but really aren't.

[mithnanthy]

11. Finally!

It has always brought me to tears the way horses had been "trained". This is the best news I've heard in a long time....again proving the theory "What goes around..Comes around". It's all about respect.

[Tellurian]

16. Bush makes horses uncomfortable.

Thats why they don't like him.
They sense his violence and inhumanity.

It's fight or flight with them.
Because they are a prey animal,
and have a keen instinct for predators.

[BrotherBuzz]

18. Horses make Bush* uncomfortable

I read about Shrub's only experience with a horse... He was in his thirties and the steed got away from him. He fell off backwards, catching his foot in the stirrup. As the horse raced along, George was dragged kicking and screaming behind it, banging his head as he fought desperately for control. It was evidently touch and go for a moment, and Shrub's very life was on the line. Just when it appeared he'd be killed if he didn't work his foot loose, the K-mart manager stepped outside and pulled the plug, sparing Shrub's life.


(Thanks journeyman!)

[Tellurian]

19. I fell for that story, hook, line and hooves, B B..

You're good....errrr, baad. :hi:

[Classical_Liberal]

17. It is called "Natural Horsemanship" it started with Tom

Dorrance, an Australian named Maurice Jeffrey's. Monty is among their MANY disciples, including John Lyons, Richard Shrake, Pat Parrelli, and many others.