Natural horsemanship

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A human approaches a semi-wild horse in a non-threatening stance Camargue naturally approached 1a.jpg
A human approaches a semi-wild horse in a non-threatening stance

Natural horsemanship is a collective term for a variety of horse training techniques which have seen rapid growth in popularity since the 1980s. [1] [2] The techniques vary in their precise tenets but generally share principles of "a kinder and gentler cowboy" [3] to develop a rapport with horses, [4] using methods said to be derived from observation of the natural behavior of free-roaming horses [5] and rejecting abusive training methods. [1]

Contents

Natural horsemanship practitioners often describe the approach as being a radical departure from "traditional" techniques, which are often portrayed as being based in the use of unnecessary force. [1] Users and practitioners tend to relate benefits both in relation to the quasi-scientific narrative of the ethology of horse behavior, viewing the horse as "other", but also to the idea of an anthropomorphic partnership. [6] High-profile practitioners of natural horsemanship such as Monty Roberts and Pat Parelli market their methods and equipment extensively through books, television appearances, live shows and other media. [1] The natural horsemanship movement is controversial in the mainstream equestrian community, with criticism leveled at practitioners on a number of levels, while natural horsemanship advocates in turn are highly critical of more traditional methods. [7] Natural horsemanship promoters face criticism that their techniques are not "new" and are classical concepts that are simply renamed or repackaged in order to be able to sell products and merchandise. [8]

History

The idea of working in sympathy with a horse in order to obtain cooperation is not new, with documented instances as far back as the two part treatise On Horsemanship by Xenophon (c. 430 – 354 BCE), which amongst other points, emphasized operant conditioning and emphasized reassurance over punishment. [1] Later classical dressage practitioners such as Antoine de Pluvinel (1555–1620 CE) and François Robichon de La Guérinière (1688–1751) also emphasized gentle techniques. However, gentle training methods have always had to compete with harsher methods, which often appear to obtain faster, but less predictable results. In particular, the cowboy tradition of the American west, where the economics of needing to break large numbers of semi-feral horses in a short period of time led to the development of a number of harsh training methods that the natural horsemanship movement specifically has set out to replace.

The modern natural horsemanship movement, though not originally described as such, developed primarily in the United States Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain states, where the "buckaroo" or vaquero-style cowboy tradition was the strongest. Brothers Tom and Bill Dorrance were early modern practitioners, who had background in the Great Basin buckaroo tradition. They had a particularly strong influence on Ray Hunt, who in turn became a significant influence upon Buck Brannaman. Many practitioners claim influence from the Dorrance brothers and Hunt, some having trained directly with these individuals. Other practitioners, such as Pat Parelli, came from the rodeo world. [9]

In Europe a number of variations are practiced that developed independently of the American model, influenced by Spanish or Hungarian horsemanship traditions as well as the teachings of Classical dressage. Some include work rooted in the use of human body language to communicate effectively to the horse. [10] [11]

The growth in the modern acceptance of the techniques (and the growth in marketing of them) has been increasing since the 1970s, with initial slow growth accelerating through the 1980s and 1990s. [6]

Nomenclature

The term "horse whispering" dates to nineteenth century Europe when an Irish horseman, Daniel "Horse-Whisperer" Sullivan (d. 1810), made a name for himself in England by rehabilitating horses that had become vicious and intractable due to abuse or accidental trauma. [12] [13] John Solomon Rarey, a nineteenth century American trainer, was summoned to Windsor Castle in 1852 by Queen Victoria to demonstrate his Rarey technique on her wildest horses. [14] Some natural horsemanship practitioners do not use the term "horse whisperer" to describe themselves, [15] and some horse trainers dislike the "horse whispering" moniker to the extent that they openly ask that the term not be applied to them. [16]

"Natural horsemanship" is a more recent term, originating in the western United States, and not coming into popular use until around 1985. [2] Its origin is widely attributed within the movement to Pat Parelli, who wrote a book using the phrase in the title. [17] [18] The term became linked to "horse whispering" in the 1990s, when the popularity of Nicholas Evans' book The Horse Whisperer , and the later Robert Redford film of the same name, promoted popular awareness of natural horsemanship. [1] However, some trainers linked to the movement, such as Mark Rashid and Tom Moates, have stated their discomfort with the term "natural horsemanship." [17] [19]

The movement has led many people in the horse industry to question "traditional" practices and to look at learning theory and equitation science to better understand horse behavior. [20]

Within the Natural Horsemanship movement, the phrases "traditional" or "traditional methods" generally refer to brutal methods of horse-breaking that trained horses by dominating the horse and breaking its spirit. [21] Some of these techniques are attributable to simple human failings such as ignorance or machismo. [22] Others were derived from certain types of military training that insisted upon complete submission and learned helplessness from the horse, with misbehavior attributed to deliberate acts by the horse instead of a reaction to pain or fear of the handler. [20] Still others were attributed to equipment and methods used on rodeo horses in the speed events such as calf roping and barrel racing. [9] : 141–142 

However, some practitioners of more classical training methods take issue with the characterization of "traditional" methods of training as "inhumane", [23] noting that gentle techniques have always existed. [24] Some natural horsemanship advocates acknowledge that there are "traditional" techniques that can be used in a humane manner, even suggesting that multiple styles can be used together in a complementary fashion. [25]

Common theories

Techniques and precise theories vary between practitioners of natural horsemanship, but the central theme is that they advocate training and handling techniques which they assert are kind and gentle. [6] Part of the premise of natural horsemanship is that teaching through pain and fear does not result in the type of relationship that benefits both horse and handler. [26]

Like almost all horse training, the principal teaching aid is the use of operant conditioning to reinforce desired behaviours. The most common conditioning method is the use of pressure and release, with physical pressure being applied until the horse complies, or tries to comply, at which point the pressure is released as a negative reinforcement to the action. [26] Punishment by physical force is rarely used in natural horsemanship, and many practitioners caution against the misuse of aids such as whips. [26]

Many techniques focus on the extensive use of ground handling to build rapport and mutual understanding with the horse. Methods include the use of leading and suppling exercises, and training the horse on a lunge line or loose lead in a round pen.

Most natural horsemanship practitioners advocate use of a type of rope halter that has a thinner noseband and heavy heel knot reminiscent of a bosal style hackamore for groundwork, [27] and, for some, riding. [28] Usually use of a 12 to 14 feet (3.7 to 4.3 m) lead rope is promoted, which doubles as a lead line and a short longe line. [29] Some, though not all, practitioners work horses bridleless, or consider bridleless work to represent the culmination of their training. Once a horse is under saddle, most practitioners advocate use of either a loose-ring or a full cheek style snaffle bit, and rope reins that include slobber straps and a lead rope section on the left side characteristic of a hackamore's mecate, sometimes called a "McCarty outfit." All practitioners emphasize that communication should be possible through light or minimal rein contact with the horse's mouth, encouraging primary use of weight and leg aids. Natural horsemanship and riding disciplines that emphasize steady, light contact are not incompatible, however. One practitioner has suggested that use of a patented design of bitless bridle can create more effective control of the horse, and solve other problems related to bitting. [30] However, the benefits of a bitless bridle have been questioned in light of recent studies showing that the cross-under design puts significant pressure on the poll and under the chin, while soft tissues such as the tongue are actually better suited to handling pressure from a rider's hands than hard tissues like the nose bone and the palate, though bitless designs may still be suitable for horses with mouth injuries. [31]

Efficacy

A 2009 small-scale study of the efficacy of natural horsemanship techniques compared to "traditional" exercises indicated that natural horsemanship exercises could be more efficient at improving the human–horse relationship and reduce stress on the horse during training without compromising technical performance. [32] [33] A 2012 study, however, questioned some types of round pen training on the grounds that pressure-release methods do not enhance horse-human interaction (as remote-controlled cars were used to elicit similar responses) but actually control the horse through fear and for that reason may be less humane than originally thought. [34]

Criticism

The natural horsemanship movement has been criticized from a number of angles. The first criticism is that claims of natural horsemanship being something new and different are wholly unfounded, that similar methods have been around for a very long time. [35] Some practitioners, particularly in classical dressage and other English riding disciplines, consider much of the movement to simply be the application of humane methods of classical horsemanship that have been practiced for centuries. [24] However, many natural horsemanship practitioners acknowledge that they did not invent natural horsemanship and credit earlier work in humane horse-handling techniques.[ citation needed ]

Another common concern is that the movement has been promoted with too much hype and marketing. In particular, there are concerns that stories of near-miraculous results can mislead beginners to believe that they can accomplish miracles with their horses with little effort, education, or experience in horse training. [36] A related concern is that practitioners rename common pieces of horse equipment and then sell their branded versions for premium prices. [37] Some trainers view the use of particular brands or styles of common equipment as having more to do with personal preference than anything else. [2] Others view certain tools as unneeded or prone to misuse. [38] Practitioners counter that the equipment that they sell, such as rigid sticks and yachting-braid rope, have distinct characteristics that lend themselves to natural horsemanship training.[ citation needed ]

In particular, the characterization of traditional methods of training as inhumane does not accurately describe classic training methods. [23] Though some critics acknowledge that some historical techniques were not always gentle, they point out that gentle techniques have always existed as well. [24] Others express concern that natural horsemanship fails as a complete method of horse training. [39]

Other trainers point out that the very act of catching and training horses is not "natural" at all, that nothing people do with horses is actually "natural" to the horse. [2] [17] [24] Other authors such as Lawrence Scanlan suggest that "Domestication [of the horse] was a natural consequence... for those.. who were more curious, less territorial, less aggressive, more dependent [and] better able to deflect human aggression through submission". [40]

Overuse of negative reinforcement in any training method to increase rates of desired behaviors can produce anxiety and stress in the horse until the aversive stimulus or "pressure" is released. [41] Failure of the horse to emit the desired behavior, or failure of the trainer to relieve the pressure after a correct performance, will only prolong this stress.

See also

Related Research Articles

Tack is equipment or accessories equipped on horses and other equines in the course of their use as domesticated animals. This equipment includes such items as saddles, stirrups, bridles, halters, reins, bits, and harnesses. Equipping a horse is often referred to as tacking up, and involves putting the tack equipment on the horse. A room to store such equipment, usually near or in a stable, is a tack room.

<i>The Horse Whisperer</i> (film) 1998 film by Robert Redford

The Horse Whisperer is a 1998 American neo-western drama film directed by and starring Robert Redford, based on the 1995 novel The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. Redford plays the title role, a talented trainer with a remarkable gift for understanding horses, who is hired to help an injured teenager and her horse back to health following a tragic accident.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Classical dressage</span>

Classical dressage evolved from cavalry movements and training for the battlefield, and has since developed into the competitive dressage seen today. Classical riding is the art of riding in harmony with, rather than against, the horse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridle</span> Piece of equipment used to direct a horse

A bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit. It provides additional control and communication through rein pressure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noseband</span> Horse tack

A noseband is the part of a horse's bridle that encircles the nose and jaw of the horse. In English riding, where the noseband is separately attached to its own headstall or crownpiece, held independently of the bit, it is often called a cavesson or caveson noseband. In other styles of riding, a simple noseband is sometimes attached directly to the same headstall as the bit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horse training</span> Methods of teaching behaviors to horses

Horse training refers to a variety of practices that teach horses to perform certain behaviors when commanded to do so by humans. Horses are trained to be manageable by humans for everyday care as well as for equestrian activities, ranging anywhere from equine sports such as horse racing, dressage, or jumping, to therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hackamore</span>

A hackamore is a type of animal headgear which does not have a bit. Instead, it has a special type of noseband that works on pressure-points on the face, nose, and chin. Hackamores are most often seen in western riding and other styles of riding derived from Spanish traditions, and are occasionally seen in some English riding disciplines such as show jumping and in the stadium phase of eventing. Various hackamore designs are also popular for endurance riding. While usually used to start young horses, hackamores are often seen on mature horses with dental issues that would make the use of a bit painful, and on horses with mouth- or tongue-injuries that would be aggravated by a bit. Some riders also like to use them in the winter to avoid putting a frozen metal bit into a horse's mouth. In the Charro tradition of Mexico, the jáquima and bozal substituted for the serrated iron cavesson used in Spain for training horses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mechanical hackamore</span> Variety of bitless horse headgear

A mechanical hackamore is a piece of horse tack that is a type of bitless headgear for horses where the reins connect to shanks placed between a noseband and a curb chain. Other names include "hackamore bit", "brockamore", "English hackamore", "nose bridle" and "German hackamore". Certain designs have been called "Blair's Pattern" and the "W. S. Bitless Pelham".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">François Baucher</span>

A "baucher" is also a type of bit, named after the man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buck Brannaman</span>

Dan M. "Buck" Brannaman is an American horse trainer and a leading clinician with a philosophy of handling horses based on classical concepts from the vaquero tradition; working with the horse's nature, using an understanding of how horses think and communicate to train the horse to accept humans and work confidently and responsively with them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bit (horse)</span> Horse equipment that fits in the mouth and is used to direct the horse

The bit is an item of a horse's tack. It usually refers to the assembly of components that contacts and controls the horse's mouth, and includes the shanks, rings, cheekpads and mullen, all described here below, but it also sometimes simply refers to the mullen, the piece that fits inside the horse's mouth. The mullen extends across the horse's mouth and rests on the bars, the region between the incisors and molars where there are no teeth. The bit is located on the horse's head by the headstall, and which has itself several components to allow the most comfortable adjustment of bit location and control.

Parelli Natural Horsemanship is a program of natural horsemanship, founded in 1981 by Pat Parelli. The program is headquartered in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Brothers and horsemen William "Bill" Dorrance and Tom Dorrance are considered among the founders of the modern natural horsemanship movement. Born and raised on an Oregon cattle ranch with a background in the Great Basin "Buckaroo" tradition, they promoted natural, gentle methods of horse training, emphasizing "feel" of the horse and observation of its responses to the handler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bitless bridle</span> Type of horse equipment

A bitless bridle is a general term describing a wide range of headgear for horses or other animals that controls the animal without using a bit. Direction control may also be via a noseband or cavesson, if one is used. The term hackamore is the most historically accurate word for most common forms of bitless headgear. However, some modern bitless designs of horse headgear lack the heavy noseband of a true hackamore and instead use straps that tighten around a horse's head to apply pressure in various ways. These are often specifically patented and marketed as "bitless bridles", usually referencing a particular type of headgear known as the cross-under, though other designs are sometimes also given similar names.

Pat Parelli is an American horse trainer who practices natural horsemanship and founded the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossary of equestrian terms</span> List of definitions of terms and concepts related to horses

This is a basic glossary of equestrian terms that includes both technical terminology and jargon developed over the centuries for horses and other equidae, as well as various horse-related concepts. Where noted, some terms are used only in American English (US), only in British English (UK), or are regional to a particular part of the world, such as Australia (AU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert M. Miller</span> American veterinarian and equine behaviorist (born 1927)

Robert M. Miller is an equine behaviorist and veterinarian, best recognized for his system of training newborn foals known as imprint training. Miller is also one of the early adopters and promoters of Natural horsemanship. His work is often referred to by natural horsemanship clinicians. He has served as a judge in the annual Road to the Horse competition, and also is a co-founder of the "Light Hands Horsemanship" concept and annual clinic.

John Lyons is an American horse trainer in the field of natural horsemanship. Lyons has been presenting training clinics and horsemanship symposia since 1980, has written several books on horses and horse training, and is the founder of John Lyons' Perfect Horse magazine. He lives and works out of Parachute, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Dunning</span> American horse trainer

Al Dunning is an American horse trainer specializing in western performance horses. He has trained multiple world champions in reining, cutting, working cow horse, halter, and all-around. His most famous horse was Expensive Hobby. He was inducted into the Arizona Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethological halter</span> Working halter for horses, often of cord

An ethological halter, sometimes called an American halter or a knotted halter, is a working halter for horses, generally made of cord. Invented in the United States by horse whisperers inspired by the vaquero bosal, it spread to Europe in the 2000s, with the wave of interest in natural horsemanship. The tool was adopted by well-known riders, in particular Michel Robert.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Birke, Lynda (1 July 2007). ""Learning to Speak Horse": The Culture of "Natural Horsemanship"" (PDF). Society & Animals. 15 (3): 217–239. doi:10.1163/156853007X217177. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 14, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rashid, Mark (2008). "All things Natural". Markrashid.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  3. ↑ Chapman, Carol (January 20, 2013). "Horse Sense" . Texas Monthly . Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  4. ↑ Miller, Robert M; Lamb, Richard A; Lamb, Rick; Downs, Hugh (2005). "The Revolution in Horsemanship". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lyon's Press. 216 (8): 1232–3. PMID   10767957.
  5. ↑ Kinsey, Mike; Denison, Jennifer (2008). "Chapter 1: The Start 'em Right Evolution". Backcountry Basics: Your Guide to Solving Common Problems on the Trail. Western Horseman Publishing. ISBN   978-0-911647-84-6.
  6. 1 2 3 Birke, Lynda (1 April 2008). "Talking about Horses: Control and Freedom in the World of "Natural Horsemanship"". Society & Animals. 16 (2): 107–126. doi:10.1163/156853008x291417 . Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Kirk, Amanda (2009). Outdoor Careers. Infobase Publishing. p. 38. ISBN   978-0816076277.
  8. ↑ Hofstetter, Angela Dawn (2009). Lyrical Beasts: Equine Metaphors of Race, Class, and Gender in Contemporary Hollywood Cinema (Dissertation Abstracts International, 70-05A). Bloomington: Indiana University. pp. 100–104. ISBN   9781109166705.
  9. 1 2 Miller, Robert M; Lamb, Richard A; Lamb, Rick; Downs, Hugh (2005). "The Revolution in Horsemanship". Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lyon's Press. 216 (8): 1232–3. PMID   10767957.
  10. ↑ Hempfling, Klaus Ferdinand. Dancing With Horses
  11. ↑ Sárffy, Tamás. "Appalossa Ranch". Appalossa Ranch Home Page. Archived from the original on 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2010-09-06.
  12. ↑ Tachyhippodamia, Willis J. Powell, p. iv
  13. ↑ Twiss, Henry F. (1927). "Mallow and some Mallow men". Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. Chapter. The Society. VII: 7.
  14. ↑ New York Daily Tribune, January 7, 1861, p. 3.
  15. ↑ "Horse Sense". Monty Roberts.
  16. ↑ "Karon helps racehorses romp home with a new lease of life". Fife Today.
  17. 1 2 3 Moates, Tom (21 March 2009). "The Myth of Natural Horsemanship | Eclectic Horseman Magazine". Eclectic Horseman Magazine. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
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  19. ↑ Rashid, Mark. "Natural Horsemanship". Archived from the original on 2015-07-03.
  20. 1 2 McGreevy, Paul D. (November 2007). "The advent of equitation science" (PDF). The Veterinary Journal. 174 (3): 492–500. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2006.09.008. PMID   17157542. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
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  22. ↑ Meyer, Jennifer Forsberg. "Horse Training or Abuse?". Horse & Rider. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  23. 1 2 Davis, Karen Leigh (2005). Deciphering dressage (1st ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: Howell Book House. ISBN   0-7645-7820-0 . Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Julie (March 16, 2010). "Natural Horsemanship: Just what EXACTLY about it is natural?". Thoughtful Dressage. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  25. ↑ Jones, Vicki (August 7, 2015). "Natural Horsemanship versus Traditional Horse Training". Naylor Blog. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  26. 1 2 3 Lyons, John; Browning, Sinclair (1991). Lyons On Horses . Doubleday. ISBN   978-0-385-41398-5.
  27. ↑ "Halter". Parelli Shop. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  28. ↑ "Hackamore". Parelli Shop. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  29. ↑ "Leads and Longe Lines". Rope Horse Tack. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  30. ↑ Cook, W Robert. "Pathophysiology of bit control in the horse" (PDF). Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.
  31. ↑ Lesté-Lasserre, Christa (April 13, 2012). "Researcher Evaluates Bit, Rein Interaction with Equine Mouth". The Horse.
  32. ↑ Fureixa, Carole; Pagèsb, Magali; Bona, Richard; Lassalle, Jean-Michel; Kuntzc, Philippe; Gonzalez, Georges (2009). "A preliminary study of the effects of handling type on horses' emotional reactivity and the human–horse relationship". Behavioural Processes. 82 (2): 202–210. doi:10.1016/j.beproc.2009.06.012. PMID   19591910. S2CID   13132325.
  33. ↑ Visser, E. Kathalijne; VanDierendonck, Machteld; Ellis, Andrea D; Rijksen, Charlotte; Van Reenen, Cornelis G (2009). "A comparison of sympathetic and conventional training methods on responses to initial horse training". The Veterinary Journal. 181 (1): 48–52. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.03.009. PMID   19375363.
  34. ↑ University of Sydney (July 13, 2012). "Researchers urge rethink of 'Monty Roberts' horse training method". Phys.org. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  35. ↑ "Charles Willhelm". RFD-TV. Archived from the original on 2007-06-09. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  36. ↑ Davis, Karen Leigh. "Natural Horsemanship :: Types of Horsemanship". Everything.com. Archived from the original on 2009-10-14. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  37. ↑ EoR (June 3, 2006). "Unnatural Horsemanship 3". The Second Sight. Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  38. ↑ "Burning the flag may not be such a bad idea…". Fugly Horse of the Day. 2009-05-06. Archived from the original on 2012-03-08. Retrieved 2010-09-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  39. ↑ Abbot, Julie. "Racinet Remembered". 48. Horses for Life. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved June 28, 2010.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  40. ↑ Scanlan, Lawrence (2001). Wild About Horses: Our Timeless Passion for the Horse . New York : Perennial. ISBN   978-0-06-093114-8.
  41. ↑ Sidman, M. (2001) Coercion and its fallout Boston: Authors Cooperative

Sources

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