What is a Natural Horsemanship Clinic and Should I do One?

Published on May 1, 2012 in Natural Horsemanship. Closed Tags: , , .

The increasing popularity of Natural Horsemanship Clinics has come from two primary factors. The first is a new and greater demand for equine knowledge. Over 50% of the population is now baby boomers with more leisure time. People who were never around horses as kids are now discovering the joy of connecting with and/or owning a horse for the first time in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. They didn’t grow up around horses and they need guidance. The second factor are the unequivocal benefits of Natural Horsemanship, its programs, its teachers and its methods.

The participants in my clinics come from all levels and all disciplines. New horse owners, 3rd level dressage riders, show jumpers, trail riders, even equine therapists. There are Belgian Drafts, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, Ponies, Arabians, Mules and Mustangs. Horses are ridden in every conceivable saddle; Hunter Seat, Dressage, Western, Cutting, Eventing and Barrel Racing. Some ride Bareback.

Most problems people have in horseback riding, whether English or Western, are not with their riding; they’re with the quality of the relationship they have with their horse. Any successful relationship whether with horse or human must be based on mutual love, trust and respect. All relationship problems begin when any one of these is missing. One way to improve your relationship and establish all three of these qualities is with the methods of Natural Horsemanship.

Natural Horsemanship begins by teaching us horse psychology. This gives us the knowledge of how and why our horse thinks and feels about everything in his world. This provides us with the understanding and the explanations as to why our horse sometimes resists our requests. Without this knowledge we don’t know if our horse is resisting because of fear, disrespect, misunderstanding or pain. How can we help our horse and improve our relationship, if we don’t know what he’s trying to tell us?

How a horse thinks and feels is always expressed physically in his body language (i.e. ear pining, kicking, biting, licking & chewing, bucking etc.). Body language is how horses communicate with other horses and if we are going to truly communicate with horses, we must learn and use their language.

Learning his language we immediately know what our horse is saying to us with his physical behavior. Then we can appropriately respond whether we’re on the ground or on his back. When we respond appropriately our horse realizes we understand what he’s trying to tell us. Then he begins to trust us, respect us and eventually look to us as his leader.

Without this knowledge of what and why our horse thinks and feels, the only way we can interpret our horses’ behavior is by guessing, assuming, or asking our friends. Often this can be frustrating, providing many different answers that are very often confusing or wrong. Without offering the right response, we are unable to effectively communicate and thus correct and eliminate the undesirable behavior of our horse.

Build Your Relationship on the Ground

Build Your Relationship on the Ground. Photo courtesy Tim Hayes.

The goal of all horse/human relationships is a positive willing partnership with the horse happily accepting his human as his leader. Traditional horsemanship focuses on riding with physical communication between human and horse. Natural horsemanship teaches how to communicate with the horse not only physically but  mentally and emotionally, first on the ground (which is more natural and understandable for the horse) and then on his back. If my horse isn’t responding to me with willingness and respect on the ground then I need to ask myself is he truly responding to me when we ride or is he deciding to accommodate me just to get it over with?

Have you ever ridden very well in a show and then, as you led your horse back to the barn, been pulled around as he keeps diving for grass? Have you ridden your horse on a trail or in a ring when he suddenly spooks or becomes anxious and nothing you do seems to calm him down to his or your satisfaction? Knowing that you and your horse love each other, have you ever wondered why he/she can be so difficult at times?  Many of the men and women who come to my clinics and classes come with these and many other similar questions.

There are thousands of excellent professionals who teach horseback riding in every possible discipline: Jumping, Dressage, Trail Riding, Polo, Barrel Racing and Reining. However what is so often missing is the necessary mental and emotional understanding necessary for a quality relationship. Becoming your horses leader naturally is always achieved most effectively when begun on the ground…horses don’t ride other horses. Create a relationship of mutual love, trust, respect and understanding before you sit on his back. When you get your relationship right with your horse, he’ll always give you his best performance because he’s already given you his heart.

Be Your Horses Leader on His Back

Be Your Horses Leader on His Back. Photo courtesy Tim Hayes.

Sometimes instead of asking, “how is my riding?” a better question to ask is “how is my relationship?” When it comes to my horse, these are my priorities: Do I always feel safe, am I having fun, am I achieving my goals, does my horse respond to me as his leader? If not, I asked myself what do I need to do to have me and my horse become safer, calmer, more confident, more respectful and more fun to ride. The answer to this question I believe is not about working on my riding; it’s about working on myself and in turn the quality of my relationship with my horse.

Presently my clinics and classes cover 10 basic topics of Natural horsemanship and finish with a program for the future.  The 10 topics covered in my clinics are effective for any discipline whether English or Western. They are: 1. Principals of Natural horsemanship; including horse time vs. human time and horse fear vs. human fear. 2. Communicating with your horse in his own (body) language. 3. Safety – learning the tools and techniques that need to be perfect 100% of the time. 4. Groundwork (Horseplay) that establishes love, trust and respect. 5. Gentleness vs. Firmness. Which one, how much and when? 6. Natural saddling skills. 7. Transferring natural communication with your horse from the ground to his back. 8. The natural principles & methods of GO/WHOA/TURN/STOP/BACK. 9. Natural Riding skills: Focus, Feel, Timing and Balance.10. How to execute an emergency stop.

©Tim Hayes 2012
Natural Horsemanship articles by Tim Hayes are at: www.hayesisforhorses.com

For clinics, classes or private sessions contact Tim at:
tim@hayesisforhorses.com or 1-800-959-3101

Getting Hurt by Gentle Horses

Published on April 2, 2012 in Natural Horsemanship. 0 Comments Tags: , .

If you’re alive, at sometime in your life you will most likely get hurt. If you interact with horses consistently you are not only likely to get hurt, you are choosing to participate in an activity that can be life threatening. This is also true with skiing and many other fun activities. However, with every activity other than horses, you will never be injured because your “equipment” spooked. If we eliminate playing Frisbee with our dog, horses are the only animals we partner with in an athletic event. The unfortunate reality is that most humans are accidentally injured interacting with gentle horses they love. The most common cause of horse related injuries is a combination of:

1. Lack of knowledge

2. Lack of communication skills 

3. Treating a horse like a big pet

A Gentle Horse Acting Naturally - photo courtesy Tim Hayes

1. Lack of knowledge

In the early years of my journey with horses I was extremely lucky to survive serious injury in spite of my beginners lack of knowledge. Not knowing how or where to stand around horses caused me on more than one occasion to have my foot stepped on  (i.e. big toe turns purple then black). A more serious example occurred with me showing off to a friend what I thought was the correct way to stand at an open stall door and get a horse to turn and face me. Not knowing the size of a horse’s natural physical comfort zone, as I demonstrated my “skill”, the horse kicked out with his two hind feet…both with shoes. One caught me on my left elbow the other in the most humiliating location a man can be kicked. I was lifted into the air and thrown five feet out into the aisle. Thankfully I completely healed and recovered. In retrospect I had a dangerous lack of knowledge. I should have asked more questions, been more careful and never made assumptions.

2. Lack of communication

My early lack of knowing how to naturally communicate with horses also resulted in my share of dangerous misunderstandings. When I was young and first starting out, much of my equine knowledge had come from watching television. During one trail ride I decided to ask my horse to canter. I took my long western reins and just like in the movies I spanked his butt. Not like in the movies he bucked me off (communicated his desire for me to leave) and in turn the hard dirt trail spanked my butt

3. Treating a horse like a big pet

When I first fell in love with horses, like most people, it was almost impossible for me to be close and not touch them. I wanted to rub, hug and pet them like big teddy bears. I didn’t know that horses naturally bite each other as a means of communicating their dominance. physically Since they’re all similar in weight (approx.1000lbs.) and strength, their bites and kicks usually don’t cause serious injury to each other. With humans however it can be dangerous.

For a while I would let them rub their heads on me, lick me or nibble my shirt just like a big puppy. That was up until one bit down on my thumb and bit my arm so hard he drew blood. As with lack of knowledge and communication, touching and or treating a horse like a big pet is a common set-up for injuries, sometimes very serious ones.

Natural Horsemanship teaches us what’s natural for the horse. How the horse experiences the world and responds to it. If I can communicate to him in his language, if I can understand how he sees, thinks and feels, then as the late Tom Dorrance use to say, I can “offer him the best deal possible”. I can help him if he gets frightened, frustrated or willful. I can reassure and allow him to keep his dignity, earning his trust and his respect. I can become his leader because he wants me to be his leader. This is why groundwork is so important. It replicates how horses communicate naturally with each other. It’s how they establish who will be the leader.

Natural Horsemanship is about creating a relationship based on communicating with my horse not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. If I expect my horse to let me ride him I must be in control in order for both of us to stay safe. Then if he’s happy and goes too fast, I can speak to him physically to help him slow down. If he’s afraid I can communicate with him emotionally to help him relax. If he’s disrespectful I can communicate with him mentally to help him have a better attitude.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BIT

1. A Bit of Knowlege

When my horse gets afraid and spooks I get anxious.
When I get anxious, I make my horse anxious.
When my spooky horse gets anxious everything becomes more dangerous.
Horses are only afraid of one thing—being eaten by predator animals.
There is nothing that can eat my horse where he lives or where we ride.
With this knowledge I never have to be afraid when my horse spooks.
With this knowledge I can stay relaxed and always reassure him.
He will relax; reaffirm his trust in me as his brave leader.
I have helped both of us from getting hurt.

2. A Bit of Communication

When my horse is overcome with fear he will run.
To survive he will use the instinctual/“right side” of his brain which releases adrenaline.
While in this state, he cannot think nor can I communicate with him.
Physically pulling harder on the bit will cause him pain.
The pain will only confirm to him that he’s still not safe. He’ll run faster.
To communicate I need to do something that will cause him to use the thinking/“left side” of his brain in order to respond to me.
For a horse to cross over one hind leg in front of the other hind leg he needs to use the thinking/left side of his brain. This is called “disengagement of his hindquarters”.

Getting him to disengage his hindquarters will cause his brain to switch from his fear driven/out of control right side to his thinking/responsive left side.

The release of survival adrenaline from his right side will subside as will his fear. He will begin to calm down. His focus and attention will shift back to me. I’ll pet and reassure him. We are both safe.

3. A Bit of Boundaries

All good relationships have good boundaries.
Humans and horses both have physical boundaries called comfort zones.
Entering one’s comfort zone and being accepted with total safety requires love, trust and respect.
If I allow my horse close to me and treat him like a big pet, he’ll treat me like a friendly horse.
Horses always play dominance games with each other to establish a pecking order (who’s the leader).
Most horses are about 7ft. long, 5ft. high and weigh 1000 pounds or more.
They bite, bump, kick, swing their heads, and push each other around.
The horse that moves the other horse away first is the winner and becomes the leader.
Being of equal size allows them to physically interact this way and not get seriously hurt.
Being a human of unequal size and interacting with my horse like a pet, I can get seriously hurt.
Before I allow my horse into my personal space, appropriate physical intimacy rules must be established.
I must teach him and he must learn that he can only enter my space when invited. He must physically respect me and never treat me like another horse.

These are only 3 of many Natural Horsemanship Bits. But these 3 Bits will help create gentle horses that are truly safe and gentle for people.

© Tim Hayes 2012
Natural Horsemanship articles by Tim Hayes are at: www.hayesisforhorses.com   
For Clinics, Classes or Private Sessions
Contact Tim at: tim@hayesisforhorses.com or 800-959-3101

Horses in Winter

Published on February 2, 2012 in Natural Horsemanship. Closed Tags: , .

"Winter Ride", photo courtesy of Tim Hayes

Winter can bring the doldrums even to our horses. In their natural environment, the air gets colder, the ground gets harder, food gets scarcer and predators get hungrier. Like us, sometimes they just don’t have the same ”Spring”in their step.

For humans living in the northeast, the winter months can often bring “cabin fever”. Little or no riding, frozen ground, house bound from snow and ice, short days and long cold nights. We worry about falling out of shape or losing some of the wonderful progress we made with our horse during the summer. Sometimes we feel frustrated or sorry for ourselves.

What if we stop thinking about ourselves and think about our horse. Is he feeling sorry for himself because we’re not riding him? Is he worried that he might lose his edge performing piaffes or flying lead changes? Probably not. But is my relationship with my horse just physical? Do I think of my horse only when I think about riding him? What does my horse miss in the winter months?

Natural horsemanship reminds me to look at every situation as if I were a horse. If I’m a domestic horse and I’m boarded at a good size stable with other horses, chances are I won’t be turned out as much as I would want. If there’s snow and ice sometimes I won’t be turned out at all. If my human partner isn’t coming to be with me because he can’t ride me, if I’m spending day after day in my stall waiting for snow and ice to melt; chances are, just like my human partner, I’m going to acquire some “cabin fever” of my own.

Horses like humans are all different. One horse may be able to tolerate being in his stall for long periods without interacting with another creature or being turned out. Another horse might become a little colicky or start cribbing. What kind of horsesonality does my horse have and what does he need?

"Winter Rest", photo courtesy of Tim Hayes

What’s important is for me to be the better horse in our herd of two: the leader. To protect, care for and show up for my partner whether I’m on his back or he’s in the barn. Natural horsemanship is about a complete relationship with my horse: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Not being able to work on the riding part of our relationship doesn’t mean I have to stop improving the mental and emotional part of our relationship.

If I can’t ride I can still visit. I can groom or walk him around in places that are safe. I can find and scratch his favorite spots. I can practice gentling exercises, getting him to bend and bring his head around toward his belly. I can play trust games like slowly asking him to bend and smell his tail without becoming upset. Or I can take a bucket, turn it upside down, sit and just be with him.

We’re the ones who invited our horses into the human world of barns, stalls and schedules. We’re the ones who he looks to for comfort, support and friendship. In building human relationships people sometimes wonder, “ do they love me for me, or is it my car or my money etc.”

When my horse sees me I want him to think, great! Here’s my partner. I’m always happy to see him. He brings positive things into my life. Companionship, affection, exercise, a treat, a back rub and sometimes when it’s not so cold we go riding or play sports. I don’t want my horse to see me and think it’s work time because that’s what we do every time I come to visit.

To spend 20 or 30 minutes, 3,4 or 5 times a week connecting with our horse mentally and emotionally is enormously meaningful to him. It can also be relaxing and fun for us. It builds the love, trust and respect necessary to have a true partnership with our horse (which includes riding). It also helps horses and humans get through the winter together.

Love is what you give your time to. — Children know this. — Horses know it too.

©Tim Hayes 2012

Natural Horsemanship articles by Tim Hayes are at: www.hayesisforhorses.com
For Clinics, Classes or Private Sessions
Contact Tim at: tim@hayesisforhorses.com or 800-959-3101

A New Year

Published on January 2, 2012 in Natural Horsemanship. 0 Comments

Happy New Year! It’s the time when for a moment everything seems possible. It’s the time when the human spirit tells us no matter how well or how poorly we did things in the past we can wipe the slate clean, begin again, do it better. This year we’ll be more successful, thinner, eat healthier, be less judgmental, be happier or more grateful.

A New Year (photo compliments of Tim Hayes)

In this new year all of these wishes are possible but on one condition: we must do some things differently than last year. The reason so many of us have difficulty being successful with diets has nothing to do with the diet. It’s usually our lack of effort and commitment to the diet. The same is true when it comes to our riding and horsemanship.

If we keep doing with our horse this year what we were doing last year, we’ll keep getting what we were getting last year. That’s great if we’ve been happy with our past results. But if some things have not improved to our liking, maybe we have to try something different.

When it comes to our relationship with our horse, what would we wish for in 2012? To win more shows, improve to the next level in our sport, ride with more confidence, help our horse become less spooky, feel safer on trail rides or simply have more fun. If our horse could talk, what might he or she tell us about their wish for 2012? Wouldn’t it be nice if we also knew our horse’s wish and could make it come true?

There is a way to learn what your horse is saying to you and it’s found in a method of equine communication called Natural Horsemanship. Horses speak to us with their body language. It’s natural for them; it’s how they speak to other horses. If we can learn their language and understand what they’re saying to us with their behaviors, we will also discover their wishes for 2012.

For those who have heard the term — Natural Horsemanship — but are not quite sure what it is, it’s simply a way of creating a positive relationship with your horse which employs this profound method of communicating using body language, touch and feel. It begins on the ground, which is natural for the horse and transfers to the horses back, which is natural for the human. It’s the way every breed of horse on the planet communicates whether they’re wearing an English saddle, a Western saddle, going on a trail ride, or competing in Grand Pre-dressage.

We live in a time when we are less aware, conscious or present to our very existence in what we used to consider reality…the natural world. Today, for many of us, reality is going from cell phones, to emails to voicemails to text messages to Facebook, to Ipads to Xboxes or Flat Screen TV’s. Our horse’s reality however is living in the present moment. His reality is survival, eating, playing and being comfortable. There’s no fear of the future or regrets from the past. When we’re with our horse he will know instantaneously if we are giving him 100% of our attention. If we don’t give it…neither will he.

When we’re with our horse are we truly connected to him?  Do we know what he’s telling us by “listening” to his body language? Do we take the time necessary to create a mutually rewarding relationship before we get on his back? What if we’ve done everything we know and it still needs improvement. Do we stretch ourselves to try something else even if it requires learning a new or different method?

I believe one-day people will no longer speak of or use the term “Natural Horsemanship”. They will simply say  “Horsemanship”.

If you’re looking to 2012 to be a year of fulfilling more of your dreams or wishes with your horse, then learning how to understand and communicate with him naturally before you get on his back might be a wonderful place to start. I guarantee your horse would wish for the same thing.

© Tim Hayes 2012

Natural Horsemanship articles by Tim Hayes are at: www.hayesisforhorses.com

For Clinics, Classes or Private Sessions

Contact Tim at: tim@hayesisforhorses.com or 800-959-3101

Gifts of the Horse

Published on November 22, 2011 in Natural Horsemanship. Closed Tags: , .
Happy Holidays from Tim, Austin, and Hayes is for Horses, Inc.

Happy Holidays from Tim, Austin, and Hayes is for Horses, Inc.

It’s the holiday season: families, friends, eating, travel, reflection, spirituality and gifts. Before running out to buy the new I-Phone or that GAP gift certificate, I’d like to share some thoughts with all of us lucky enough to have a horse in our life. As the years go by I become more aware of and grateful for the amazing gifts I receive not only from my horse Austin but from every horse I try and help.

I believe happiness is a feeling that spontaneously originates inside me. No matter what things or situations I have on the outside, if I look to them to keep me happy, my happiness eventually disappears. If I’m feeling good about myself, if my relationships are working positively, most of the time I feel happy. So the question becomes; if my happiness begins to fade as I start to get scratches on my new car, what can I do to help me feel good about myself and stay happy on the inside.

For me the answer is the same advice I got when I was a little kid: It’s called “The Golden Rule”: Treat others the way I want them to treat me and treat myself the same way. If I have a happy relationship with myself, I have a very good chance of having a happy relationship with others; spouse, partner, father, mother, son, daughter, friends, boss, etc.  When my relationships bring me happiness, I feel even happier. It’s the ideal win-win situation.

The greatest teacher of The Golden Rule and all it’s ingredients I have ever known is the horse. From years of studying how horses treat each other in their relationships I now understand that they are treating me the same as they would another horse. I have discovered they possess the same 12 “Golden Rule” qualities that I want to be treated with from others as surely as they want me to use to treat them: acceptance, kindness, understanding, patience, generosity, trust, consistency, honesty, justice, respect, compassion and forgiveness. Another way to say it is “Love”

My horse is a prey animal. His natural world is living outside with his herd-mates. When I show up he accepts me as I am, never questions my race, my gender or my age. He’s kind and doesn’t seek to hurt me. If I get bit, kicked or dumped it’s because I haven’t taught him to respect my vulnerability and not to treat me like another horse with his play or communication. If I am clear, consistent and patient in my requests he always understands me.

He’s a generous soul who never complains if I ask him to let a little kid pet his nose or sit on his back. He’s always honest with me and consistently tells me the truth about what he thinks and feels whether he’s scared, angry or happy. He’s fair and just with me. If he tries to ask or tell me something and I don’t listen and acknowledge him, he let’s me know I’m being disrespectful by resisting my requests of him.

Finally with great compassion and forgiveness he continually tolerates all my mistakes and inadequacies. If I allow my horse to help me become a better person then all my relationships with both horses and humans will improve. This will bring me the kind of happiness I could never find in a store. My horse, love in its finest form. What a gift. © Tim Hayes 2011

Natural Horsemanship articles by Tim Hayes are at: www.hayesisforhorses.comFor Clinics, Classes or Private Sessions
Contact Tim at: tim@hayesisforhorses.com or 800-959-3101

Horse Time vs. Human Time

Published on November 1, 2011 in Natural Horsemanship. Closed Tags: , , .

Someone once said that God invented time to keep everything from happening at once. In fact humans invented time in order to help bring order, meaning and understanding to their unique existence.

As humans we are the only animal with recognized self-awareness, rational thinking and therefore a mental concept of time. Other animals may be aware of the physical changes in day and night, summer and winter and thus able to respond to these changes but it is only us humans that will ever know if we are “late”. A horse for that matter never thinks: “ oh my, I’m running out of time.” Understanding and remembering this significant difference will have an enormous impact on how you and your horse get along and the success you will achieve in your horsemanship and riding.

Horse Time in Idaho - Photo by Tim Hayes 1995

Horse Time in Idaho - Photo by Tim Hayes 1995

Today more than ever humans live by the clock. We fit every minute of our lives into a schedule.

We create agenda’s with predetermined requirements as to how much time it will take to achieve satisfaction in everything we do. However whenever we think something must happen within a certain amount of time and it doesn’t, it is always a set up for stress, tension, anger, frustration or disappointment.

Being “late” is one of many examples that can illustrate both the difference and the importance of Horse vs. Human time.

EXAMPLE: If I ride on Wednesdays at 4pm and don’t get to the barn until 3:55pm, I may rush to groom and tack up my horse so I can get in as much riding time as possible. Knowing that I am “late” I think I’m using up valuable riding time while getting my horse ready to ride. This thought makes me anxious and tense. Instead of presenting myself to my horse as a happy, calm, relaxed friend and leader, I show him a partner who is anxious and tense. The quality of my physical interactions in grooming and saddling, usually a nice way to reconnect with each other, are now a signal to my horse that something is not right with his human. My horse does not know I’m late because “being late” does not exist in his world. All he knows is that I’m anxious and not relaxed.

As we start to ride I feel a resistance coming from my horse. He’s communicating to me with his body… the only way he knows how. He’s telling me: “Your body feels tense and that makes me anxious. I’m not feeling safe and comfortable with you on my back right now, can you do something to change what I’m feeling from you…can you help me?” I think: “Oh that’s great. Not only am I going to run out of riding time, but I’m going to have to struggle with my horse and his bad attitude.” I do what many people do; I blame the horse.

I begin to feel angry and frustrated. My cues become rough and heavy-handed. This is frightening for my horse. He thinks: “ not only is my partner anxious, he’s hurting me!” At this point my horse will usually do one of two things. He’ll either emotionally and mentally shut down, brace himself and do everything he can to tolerate me until the ride is over. This is how humans create dullness in their horses. Or my horse will ask me to leave (read: buck me off). This is how humans get hurt.

Natural Horsemanship is seeing and understanding every situation from the horse’s point of view. It took me years and many mistakes to remember the enormous impact time (or the nonexistence of time) has on my horse and my horsemanship. And like everything else I’ve had to do to get my horse to be better; I had to be better. I had to change my behavior first.

Now when I get to the barn and I’m “late”, I change my agenda, I adjust to fit the situation. For example instead of doing 20 minutes of groundwork and 40 minutes practicing flying lead changes, I may just practice groundwork or take a nice leisurely ride with the time I have left. If I’m “very late” I may just spend quality time with my horse and let him graze. The most important thing with any horse in any discipline is always THE RELATIONSHIP.

By putting myself on “horse time “ I show respect for my partner who lives in the moment and has no schedule or agenda. Then no matter what we do we are spending quality time together not just physically but emotionally and mentally. Our relationship becomes stronger, my horsemanship gets better and neither of us ends up frustrated, disappointed, dull or hurt. ©Tim Hayes 2011

“BE A BETTER HUMAN, BE A BETTER HORSE.” Tim Hayes 2002

Natural Horsemanship articles by Tim Hayes are at: www.hayesisforhorses.com
For Clinics, Classes or Private Sessions Contact Tim at: tim@hayesisforhorses.com or 800-959-3101

The Tools of Natural Horsemanship Part 2

Published on October 11, 2011 in Natural Horsemanship. Closed Tags: , , , .

In last months article we identified the 4 primary tools most often used in Natural Horsemanship: The Rope Halter, 12ft. Lead Line, 4ft. Stick & Flag and the Round Pen. Since horses communicate with body language, touch and feel, all of these tools were designed to influence specific parts of the horses’ body. They enable the human to cause the desirable behavior of his horse to be comfortable, his undesirable behavior to be uncomfortable and allow the horse to choose. Having previously discussed the Rope Halter, 12ft lead Line and 4ft sick & Flag this article will be totally devoted to the use of the Round Pen.

The Round Pen: The round pen is perhaps the most widely associated with yet misunderstood tool in today’s world of Natural Horsemanship. To understand the benefits of the round pen when properly used it must be considered as both a professional and non-professional piece of equipment.

Professional: The round pen is typically used by professional horse trainers to “train/start/break” horses who have either never been handled by humans (untamed/wild/feral) or green (tame/domestic) horses who are comfortable with humans but have not been “started/broke” for riding.

In his natural environment the horse survives as a prey animal by out-running potential predators first and investigating second. The natural flight distance of the horse (untamed/wild/feral) is a quarter of a mile or about 1300ft. This is about 200ft farther than the chase distance of his predator enemies (mountain lions, wolves, bears etc) who run out of steam at about 1100ft. At this point the horse will usually stop to investigate to see what he was running from and either take off again or relax and conserve his energy for his next escape. Today because of human desire for breeds with specific abilities, the natural flight distance can drastically vary. Thoroughbreds for example are bred to run for up to 2 miles and sometimes more before stopping.

The round pen allows the horse the freedom to run as far as he wants without going anywhere. When gentling a wild/untamed horse that has not been socialized with humans (predators), a trainer can quietly stand in the middle and allow the horse to freely run in a circle for his entire flight distance of approximately 1300ft (13 laps around a 50ft round pen) or longer. When the horse reaches the point at which he would naturally investigate, he sees his human predator is miraculously still where he was originally but is not attempting to capture or eat him.

The trainer can then begin to communicate with body language allowing the horse to gradually feel safe and comfortable with his human. This leads to the horse eventually allowing himself to be touched by the trainer and thus begins the process of being “started/broke”.

A “tame/domestic/green” horse (usually 2 years old) that has not been started also benefits from the emotional comfort of the round pen. Although comfortable with humans, the young horse needs to be introduced to all other unnatural things. He must become comfortable with blankets saddles, bridles, bits and eventually a human on his back. The round pen allows the horse freedom to run and move about them until he’s satisfied they’re not going to hurt or eat him. When it is time for his first ride both the horse and his human benefit from being in a safer more controllable small-enclosed space. The horse is free to move until he becomes comfortable and desensitized. The lack of corners in a round pen prevents the horse from “hiding” or getting stuck in a corner. (See photo #1)

Photo 1: The Horse is free to move.

Non-Professional: There are many “Traditional” competent non-professional horse people who start “tame/domestic/green” horses and use round pens. For this article we will limit our discussion solely to the benefits of the round pen that can be achieved by non-professionals using the methods and techniques of Natural Horsemanship.

In order to communicate with your horse in a round pen using body language you must first learn and establish movements with your body that have meaning and understanding for your horse. This is typically achieved by first communicating with the 12ft. lead line, the 4ft. stick and flag as an extension of your body in what is known as “Groundwork” (see “Tools Part 1” Sept. 2011 issue). The use of these tools enables you to control the movements of your horse while preventing him from running away and escaping. If you start in a round pen before you have established your leadership by communicating in the horses’ language, a tame or domestic horse may engage you in a game of “you can’t catch me” and simply run away from you.

It is by first learning the proper body language with the aid of the previous discussed (Sept. 2011 issue) primary tools that true communication in the round pen “at liberty” is achieved. Then changing directions, changing gaits, changing leads, inside and outside turns not only become possible but great fun for both horse and human. (See photo #2) Without this knowledge “Working a horse in a round pen” is nothing more than unstructured exercise. Everyone eventually gets tired and it’s meaningless to the horse.

Photo 2: The horse can change directions and gaits.

Another great yet underused advantage of the round pen is practicing Natural Horsemanship Riding techniques. In order to learn to ride naturally with your whole body using feel, timing and balance you need to begin in a safer more controllable small-enclosed area. The increased feeling of safety from being in the round pen on a truly broke horse is how the rider becomes more confident. (See photo #3) The increase in confidence allows the rider to safely attempt new skills i.e. improving his seat and balance at faster gaits and eventually learning to use the bit for communication and not for stopping or control

Photo 3: The rider can gain confidence.

It is only by gradually pushing ourselves to try things outside of our comfort zone that we learn, grow, improve, gain more confidence and not only become better riders but better with horses. Safety is not only the most important need of the horse it is the most important need for the human. Used knowledgably the enclosed safety of the round pen makes it one of the great tools in creating a natural and harmonious relationship for both.

©Tim Hayes 2011

(All photos courtesy of Tim Hayes)

Natural Horsemanship articles by Tim Hayes are at: www.hayesisforhorses.com

For Clinics, Classes or Private Sessions

Contact Tim at: tim@hayesisforhorses.com or 800-959-3101

The Tools of Natural Horsemanship – Part 1

Published on September 4, 2011 in Natural Horsemanship. Closed Tags: , , , , .

Riding a horse that is confident, trustworthy and respectful requires great leadership. In their natural environment horses establish leadership with each other on the ground. Horses don’t ride other horses. Therefore the tools of Natural Horsemanship (what is natural for a horse) were created to help humans establish a leadership role their horses on the ground before they get on their back to ride. Natural training tools are designed to use behavioral psychology and equine communication as opposed to force, pain, and fear.

To become a horse’s leader we must first know what their most important needs are and what they look for in their leaders. The three primary needs of a horse are: survival, comfort, and leadership. Leadership qualities for horses are the same as they are for humans: wisdom, experience, trust, and respect.

Natural Horsemanship tools allow the human to communicate in an environment where the horse feels safe and comfortable (physically, mentally, and emotionally). Once the horse feels safe and comfortable the human can then establish himself as the horse’s leader. Human leadership is obtained using the same natural “pecking order” principles that horses use with each other. To be first in the pecking order, to be the alpha or to be the leader, a human, just like a horse, must control the movement of the other horse.

Control of movement is obtained by administering levels of comfort and discomfort (physical and emotional) to the other horse and allowing that horse to choose how to respond. Because horses are hard wired to seek comfort, you cause what you desire your horse to do (move or not move) to be comfortable and what you don’t want him to do to be uncomfortable letting him make the choice. By choosing comfort and therefore doing what you are requesting, the horse maintains his dignity, does not feel forced, and accepts you (or the other horse) as his leader. You make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult and let the horse decide.

Horses communicate with body language, touch, and feel. The tools of Natural Horsemanship are therefore designed to influence specific parts of the horse’s body. They allow the human to either create levels of physical or emotional pressure (creating discomfort) or quickly release or remove this pressure (creating comfort). The four primary tools most often used in Natural horsemanship are: The Rope Halter, 12ft.Lead Line, 4ft.Stick & Flag and the Round Pen.

The Natural Rope Halter: All halters Natural or otherwise are used to control a horse’s head. Since the head is connected to the neck and body if you can successfully control your horse’s head you can begin to control the rest of him. The difference with the Natural rope halter is how it feels to the horse.

Leadership on the Ground

LEADERSHIP ON THE GROUND- JUMPING - Rope Halter, 12 ft. Lead Line, 4ft Stick, 6ft. String

Well-constructed natural rope halters are made of very thin soft cotton rope. At various places around the halter there are small knots tied into the rope. When the horse is standing still or willingly being led by his leader the halter feels soft and comfortable. If the horse resists his leader and pulls against the halter it becomes uncomfortable. The second the horse stops pulling he instantly rewards himself with comfort. Unless they’re in a state of fear, horses will naturally seek comfort. The horse teaches himself that resisting is uncomfortable while cooperating is comfortable. The rope halter should only be used when you are with and connected to your horse with a lead line. Never leave a rope halter on an unattended horse. It has no breakaway clips for emergencies.

Traditional canvas or leather halters have straps that are usually smooth, soft and about one inch wide. When a horse resists and pulls against this type of halter the feeling of discomfort is not only quite minimal but over time can often become tolerable or physically insignificant. Sometimes it can be seen by the horse as an invitation to engage in a game of “Tug of War”. The horse teaches himself that occasionally resistance can be fun; it can lead to play and he can become the leader by causing his human to move and be uncomfortable.

Horses are more sensitive to the subtle changes in feeling from a rope halter. They cause communication to be more articulate and understandable and thus more effective for training and establishing leadership. Traditional halters act primarily as a physical tool. Without resistance they’re minimally effective. With resistance they can quickly become ineffective and require force: the natural enemy of the horse. To personally experience the difference between wide “Traditional” and thin “Natural Rope” have someone push the back of your head with the palm of their hand (wide) and then with the point of their index finger (thin). The difference in feel is obvious.

The 12 ft. Lead Line: Both horses and humans have physical and emotional boundaries. They’re called comfort zones. The size of the physical comfort zone directly influences the level of comfort in the emotional zone (if you’re in their face, you’re in their space!). Most people’s physical comfort zone with another human in a superficial relationship is usually a 3 feet circle of space between them. The more they get to know the other person, the more comfortable, trusting and intimate they become and the smaller their comfort zone needs to be. Eventually, depending on the person, comfort is felt with no space. In fact it may involve touching or holding each other.

LEADERSHIP ON THE GROUND-BACKING - Rope Halter, 12ft Lead Line.

LEADERSHIP ON THE GROUND-BACKING -Rope Halter, 12ft Lead Line.

Horses are much bigger than humans and so are their comfort zones. An average horse is approximately 5ft. high, 7ft. long and weighs 1,000 lbs. Their physical comfort zone in a relationship with an unknown horse or human is usually a 10-foot circle of space. Until horses decide they want to be intimate, get closer and connect in a friendly, physical way, they usually stay out of each other’s 10 ft. comfort zone. They are still however able to communicate with body language with certain gestures: i.e. pinning their ears or turning their butts.

The 12 ft. lead line enables the human to control the movement, communicate and establish trust and respect with his horse while at the same time allowing him to stay emotionally comfortable by standing 2 ft. outside the horse’s 10 ft. comfort zone. Lead lines that are less than 10 ft. long can not only cause an untrusting horse to feel uncomfortable it can also be dangerous by putting the human within contact range of a kick or bite. Another advantage of a longer line is it provides an increase in physical leverage needed to control a horse that has either tried to run away or out muscle his human. Using a lead line longer than 12 ft. is possible however the longer the line the more difficult it can be for the human to navigate.

The 4 ft. Stick & Flag: Sticks of various lengths have been used in different methods of horse training for thousands of years. Today the 4 ft. stick has become the most popular in the world of Natural Horsemanship due to its effectiveness as a tool of communication in the equine language of touch and feel. Most horses are at least 7 ft. long. Most humans have arms that are approximately 3 ft. long. Holding the 4 ft. stick allows the human to communicate with the entire horse without having to move.

The human can then influence the horse’s movement by swinging the stick in his personal space. The uncomfortable pressure from the swinging stick in his personal space causes the horse to move. When the horse arrives at the desired destination of his human he finds comfort because the human stops swinging the stick. The stick can also allow the human to communicate with a horse from further away. This is a major safety factor when dealing with a horse that may bite or kick.

Attaching a cloth or plastic flag to the end of the stick is used to quickly increase the level of emotional discomfort in the horse’s personal space. Until they become desensitized to unknown objects, horses are hard wired to be suspicious or bothered by things that move and make noise.
Sometimes a 6 ft. string is used instead of a flag. The string achieves the same effect with the added advantage of being able to communicate from even further away: 3 ft. arm + 4 ft. stick + 6 ft. string = 13 ft. of influence.

Before the human uses the 12 ft. lead line, the stick, the flag, the string or any of the Natural Horsemanship tools he must gently rub his horse with each one and allow him to smell them all.

Since the horse determines what is safe by feel and smell he then learns to distinguish between seeing the tool as something unknown to fear as opposed to being a physical extension of his human leader’s body whom he is learning to trust and respect.

The tools of Natural Horsemanship are only as effective as the human who uses them. To be effective requires knowledge and acquiring knowledge requires a source. There are many Books, Tapes and DVD’s on how to use the tools and equipment of Natural Horsemanship. It has been my experience that to truly observe, learn and experience these tools, methods and techniques, nothing takes the place of having a gifted knowledgeable teacher. Natural Horsemanship will not only transform your riding, it will help you to have the horse of your dreams. Next month’s article will be entirely devoted to the use of The Round Pen in Natural Horsemanship.
©Tim Hayes 2011

Observe – Remember- Compare

Published on July 29, 2011 in Natural Horsemanship. Closed

Tim and Buck Brannaman 1999

Tim and Buck Brannaman 1999

I would like to begin this month’s article by highly recommending the 2011 award-winning documentary “Buck” by Cindy Meehl…the story of Buck Brannanam and a film about Natural Horsemanship. Buck Brannanam is one of today’s master horsemen and someone I have been honored to know and learn from. When I think of what I have learned from Buck’s teaching I also think about what I learned from one of Buck’s teacher’s the late Ray Hunt.

In the late 1950’s Ray Hunt became the first disciple of the late Tom Dorrance who is now considered by most to be the father of Natural Horsemanship of both the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Years ago I participated in an 8-day natural horsemanship clinic given by Ray in the Canadian Rockies on a one million acre cattle ranch situated in northern British Columbia. It was spectacular.

I learned many things at that clinic about how to get good with horses but the one that helped me the most was something Ray said that has since become one of his most famous quotes: “Observe, Remember, Compare”. Simply put it means every time you’re interacting with your horse observe how he or she behaves in each and every situation no matter how insignificant it may seem.

Tim Riding in Ray Hunt Clinic, British Columbia 1998

Tim Riding in Ray Hunt Clinic, British Columbia 1998

Whatever you observe your horse doing when you’re interacting with him; remember it. Remember it until the next time you’re together and interacting again. Then compare how he behaved the first time to how he’s behaving now. It will reveal valuable information. Most importantly you’ll learn if the two of you are getting better, getting worse or staying the same. If a change is required and you are already natural with horses you’ll know the first change you need to make is in yourself in order to create a change in your horse.

If you’re leading your horse on the ground is he walking at your shoulder, behind you or in front of you? When you’re riding and ask him to stop does he come to a dead stop at your first request or does he take a few extra steps before completely stopping? If he starts to buck what did you observe him do right before he started bucking?

The more observant you become the better you’ll be with horses. 99% of the time everything a horse does that can cause us problems, is preceded by his exhibiting some type of physical signal or some other noticeable behavior. Learning and remembering these behavioral alerts becomes enormously helpful in order to respond at your best with what happens next. It’s called: “knowing what happens before what happens happens”. Horses are black belts at this because their survival depends on always being one step ahead of predators. Getting good at observing and paying attention like horses do will also help your self-preservation. You may already know you need to pay attention to your horse’s ears when he pins them back or that before he bucks he always drops his head. That’s good but there are hundreds more.

Learning, understanding and practicing to be this aware of your horse is not only helpful in improving your riding and horsemanship, it is paramount in staying safe and protecting yourself and your horse from getting hurt. Knowing and being aware of something as simple as the fact that your horse laterally bends his head and neck around easier to the right than to the left may one day save your life on a trail ride. If for some reason your horse becomes so fearful that he decides he must take off and run as fast as he can, then knowing that you have a better chance of shutting him down by bending his head to the right as opposed to the left becomes something you’ll be grateful you remembered.

To observe, remember and compare is also an excellent way to learn what horses are capable of and how good some of them can be. Riding is the only sport or human endeavor where the “equipment” or “instrument” as well as the person, must also learn to achieve certain levels of expertise. I can use Derek Jeter’s glove but I won’t play like Derek Jeter; I’ll still play like me. I can play on Billy Joel’s piano but I won’t play like Billy Joel; I’ll still play like me.

If however I am able to observe what it physically feels like to ride a Grand Prix Dressage horse or a Champion Reining horse then I will forever know what is possible to achieve and how far I still have to progress with my horse or my journey with horses. It’s one thing to watch a rider on an accomplished horse execute a Piaffe or a Slide Stop. It’s quite another to have a horse who already knows how to do it show you what it should feel like. Humans teach horses – Horses teach humans.

Of all the human disciplines horses are asked to participate in whether it’s Dressage, Jumping, Polo or Cutting; I believe Calf-Roping horses are the ultimate when it comes to partnering with a human to accomplish a goal. Not only does the horse come to a dead stop the second he feels the rider’s rope going around the cow’s neck but he helps the rider by preventing the cow from standing up and getting away. He does this by slowly backing up and pulling the cow toward him until the rider can dismount, run over and tie the cow’s feet. For me this is the ultimate example of a horse/human partnership.

Many years ago I had the opportunity of riding my friend’s horse Spot. Spot it turned out had just been named the 1992 Idaho State Champion Roping Horse. I remember galloping across a large arena and going so fast I began to think I should stop. I remember the moment I thought I wanted to stop; Spot stopped. Stopped dead. Nailed it. Dead on a dime. I’ve never forgotten how it felt.

From that day until now I know how I would like my horses to stop. Even if they don’t stop like Spot I know what’s possible. Because I observed, remembered and compared what it felt like on a Champion Roping horse, I now had a goal and knew what I needed to work on. Observe, Remember and Compare. It made me better with horses; it will make you better with horses too. ©Tim Hayes2011

Horses & The Power of Now

Published on July 10, 2011 in Natural Horsemanship. Closed Tags: , , .

There are many ways to say the same thing: Live in the moment - Be here now – Look at your feet; that’s where your life is – The past has been spent; the future is an unwritten check but the present is a gift. We need these reminders because we are human and, as far as we know, the only species capable of using its brain to think about the past and fantasize about the future. Horses to the best of our knowledge are only mentally alive in the moment. Knowing the way back to the barn and reminiscing about the past are not the same brain event.

Partners - Living together in the moment

There’s nothing wrong with thinking about the past or the future. However doing so prevents us from being 100% present to reality: what is actually happening at this very moment in time. If I’m not totally present to my immediate reality i.e.: driving a car, hitting a ball or riding a horse, I will not be able to perform at my best. Two primary ingredients of high performance are reaction time and quality of response.

As a human, if I swing at the ball and miss because I’m thinking about what’s on TV tonight, the worst that can happen is I strike out. If I’m a horse and I don’t run away when I first hear a strange noise on the trail, the worst that can happen is a predator eats me – Big mistake – Reaction time isn’t always crucial with humans but it always means life or death to a horse. Horses are prey animals and possess the fastest reaction time of any animal on the planet (the time elapsed between a stimulus to of one of their senses and their physical response). This is why if you are anywhere within a horse’s kicking zone and he decides to kick you, you never see it coming. It is physically impossible to get out of the way before he makes contact.

Living in the moment, being aware and only thinking about what’s immediately occurring is natural for horses. It’s how their brains work. Along with enormous strength and speed, it is an evolutionary characteristic that has allowed them to survive for millions of years. They are literally aware of everything that’s going on in their environment every second of their lives.  They not only use their super human senses to eternally monitor their surroundings, they use them to detect the slightest change that occurs in their world. They’re like a walking mental, emotional and physical alarm system.

The benefit of “being in the now”, being focused on and connected to our horse is always a mutually improved experience. Our trail ride is safer and therefore more fun. If we’re showing, we have a better chance at winning. Staying mentally connected to our horse helps prevent him from misinterpreting our physical energy and body communication if we’re thinking about something else. It also helps prevent him from tuning out his riding partner who is not paying attention. If I’m riding and talking on my cell phone before a show my horse immediately knows his “leader” has “left” him. He must now fend for himself and become his own leader. If my horse is the leader he may decide to do the opposite of what I want (i.e. refuse the jump).

Not being in the moment when we’re with our horse may not always be a life-threatening situation, but it definitely works against us performing at our best. If we want our horse to respect us, we need to show him the same respect. Not being consciously connected to our horse 100% of the time that we are together is disrespectful and our horse knows it. The power of being in the now is natural for our horse. If we want that power, it needs to become natural for us as well. ©Tim Hayes 2011