What 'natural horsemanship' means to me

He's been a cowboy all of his life and I do not think he has still figured out how to jump on the 'Natural Horsemanship' bandwagon. His methods work very well, but he is really crude and his horses show the same lack of finesse that he shows ever time his interacts with them.

I have watched him twice in person -- about 3 years apart. The first time at the Oklahoma Horse Fair (I had a stallion there on the 'Stallion Alley'), and he was REALLY crude and there was NO finesse. It was pretty bad. Three years later, he was better, but still had a long way to go. 'Precession' is not his middle name.

I was not impressed. Agree with your assessment.

Tiny - oh how the clinicians impress when they take an untouched 2 yr old and ride it by the third day. We used to brush them up, sack them out a little then saddle up and get on. The colt was allowed to meander or stand with no interference. What we did learn from this was if after three or four days the colt had offered no resistance we knew then we were riding a bomb. Sure enough, there'd be one great explosion of bucking. We just let it happen and then it was done. Trainers taking on spoiled horses would make better tv.

I can almost agree with the no touch theory. I know people touch horses way more than horses want to be touched. I winch when I see people give those pats of praise that about knock the horse over.
I have two yearling that I never give treats to. They are all over me. I try not to pet them. They crowd, nuzzle, walk across the pasture to see what I am doing. They drag my lead rope, bucket, brush or what ever around. They get in and out of the trailer, tack room or barn office if the door is even cracked. I am usually trying to chase them off. They act like spoiled brats but I have done nothing to reward their invasive behavior. I think I need to take them to the round pen and teach them some respect. They do not have it now. I have to whop them on the back with a feed sack to get them out of the barn office when they invite them selves in. Perhaps they want a cup of coffee?

I can stand with my Gracie talking away to my friends and she seems so happy, like she is really listening to our conversation. It warms my heart. So yes I do agree I believe there is a sense of peace happening.

Franknbeans, almost all my groundwork was done at liberty either in the pasture or paddock with both gates open. (it's in my pasture). If he couldn't take the pressure he was allowed to leave. He rarely went very far and when I brought him back he'd try his heart out. Spending a lot of time in a round pen doesn't expose the horse to what we'll one day expose him to and it could get um....interesting.

Love the post Cherie. Makes a lot of sense to me and I have always had those thought processes when it comes to horses. I wish I was able to utilize and understand more.

If you ever need a helping hand at your place, sign me up. I would love to learn a few things (or a lot) from you. ;)