Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

I usually don't post to ride camp, just lurk and chuckle.  The recent 
postings concerning natural horsemanship have motivated me to post some 
of my thoughts.  

I have been involved in endurance riding for (gasp) 40 years.  During 
this time I have started somewhere around twenty horses.  My horses 
turned out light and responsive, and I came to think of myself as a 
competent horseman.  Two years ago I was diagnosed as having a brain 
tumor.  After successful surgery I was not physically the same as before 
The thing I wanted more than anything else was to be able to work with 
my horses again.  I had a 6 year old Karahty son that I had ridden twice 
before my hospitalization  When I was to the point that I was able to 
get out to the barn again, it was quite obvious that I wasn't up to 
continuing from the point I had left off with him.  I started looking 
for a trainer to send him to.  After meeting with a half dozen or so 
trainers I didn't find anyone that I felt I wanted to trust him to.  

I had heard of Parelli but didn't know much about him or his program.  I 
ordered his level one course thinking that I might be able to do some 
ground work.  It opened up a whole new window in my relationship with 
horses.  I have been working my way through the PNH lessons for over a 
year now and can honestly say that I have learned more about horses 
during this time that the previous 30 years.  There are no new 
horsemanship techniques invented. It just takes basic horseman ship 
techniques that respect the dignity of the horse and teaches them in 
easy to follow lessons.

 I don't mean this to be a commercial for Parelli, there are many 
others teaching the same horsemanship philosophy.  What I do want to say 
is that this type of training really works.  Most all the horse problems 
that are discussed on Ride Camp can be solved by going back and teaching 
the basics, both to the horse and to the rider.  If you have satellite 
TV, you can see many of the well known trainers free on RFD  TV every 
night.  Watch them, and if you resonate with one particular trainer, go 
with his program.  You will surprise yourself.

Phil Gardner      

   


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