Conventional vs Natural Training Methods

Nikki Salo · Grand Prix

Conventional vs Natural Training Methods

Marlene · Advanced

The first horse I ever "trained" was so long ago I'd never heard of "natural" or "conventional", in fact I knew zip about training and not much about riding. Nor did the horse, a two year old skinny filly who wouldn't let anyone stay on her (duh, wonder why eh?). Nevertheless, against my better judgement her owner (a vet I worked for after school), kept bugging me to try her. I did have plenty of experience around other animals and I think he saw something in the way they responded. I figured she would dump me too, and that would be the end of the discussion. For reasons I did not understand at the time, she didn't dump me,(which would have been simple since I couldn't afford a saddle), and we just kept riding the rest of the summer. I had no plan except to ride her often, take it easy, and work her past whatever little glitches came up. This is what I have done with my current Arab gelding as well, who had a lot more issues as an adult than she had as a baby. I don't think Arabs respond well to heavy handed approaches. These two were both skittish, but his problems were more ingrained. I think he'd had bad fitting saddles, and maybe some insensitive treatment when he acted out. At any rate, my slow but non-methodical approach, just taking each day as it is, and working with what we've got seems to have worked. Following some plan is probably good for most people, as long as the plan doesn't become more important than what the horse is trying to tell you. I really think the horse is your best guide, if he's not cooperating, there's a reason, and you have to work gently but firmly to get them working with you and for you. i don't know if that is Natural horsemanship or not. The closest method I've seen on the web since is referred to as "Hybrid horsemanship". I'd call it the Goldilocks method, not too hard, not too soft.

-- Edited by Marlene on Thursday 8th of December 2011 02:25:46 PM

barnfrog · Advanced

Traditional training methods (aka 'classical' training) IS based upon the nature of the horse. It is the most methodical approach to the horse! The NH is usually a copy of, a part of, traditional training with some 'legislated game' rather than watching the horse and creating what they need at a given time. At this point in my life I have started/develops 1000s of horses, a methodical approach works the easiest, and it works the best when the handler/rider has good equitation/timing and a CLEAR METHODOLOGY which keeps the end point always in mind.

I dont get what a 'combo' of methods is. Methodical training is methodical training...from holding/walking/picking up feet of a foal to work in hand to ridden work up to piaffe/jumping of an experienced horse. Do we need things like free lunging in a round pen? Not really. Do we need proper (uphill) balance for the easiest training? For sure.

The worst of all de jour methods (imho): The concept of preciptious flexion (aka giving the bit) rather than meeting the hand and develop longitiudinal flexion through lateral flexability.

Jackie Cochran · Advanced

Well said Barnfrog!

Goatgirl · Advanced

well said Barnfrog indeed.

What I object to with the Natural Horsemanship thing is that is has become HUGE business - Parelli -whatever else he is - he is a brilliant businessman...- (I am not a fan) - systematic, patient, - like building a house with brick - training that moves at the pace the horse 'dictates' - horses let you know when they are ready for the next step - sometimes moving back a step or two - gets my two thumbs up everytime...- if you move forward in a way that each step builds upon itself - the idea of a person getting on - is just another step - just another day...-but always always listening to the horse...