Best Horse Training Methods – Natural Horsemanship


Every trainer has a philosophy, or set of standards, that they follow and are collectively called their horse training methods.  Deciding which methods to use when training your horse will be an important step in building a positive relationship between you and your horse.

Throughout the past few years, I have participated in, listened to and learned a lot of different horse training methods. The trainers I have learned from include Pat Parrelli, John Lyons, Tom Bell, Sally Swift Buck Brannamen and Tom Dorrance. I have do not use one method more than another, rather I use bits and pieces from each person’s techniques depending on my ability and understanding of that training method.

I suggest this approach to everyone who asks for advice.  We all process information differently and we each have different abilities.  As you learn the different approaches, you will figure out what works for you and brings results and what does not.

It does not matter at which level you are, you will find that horse training is an ongoing education.  You will keep experimenting and learning new things to incorporate into your training methods. Just make sure you follow your passion and never stop learning how can train your horse better and develop a solid positive relationship with your horse.

Horse Training Method for Natural Horsemanship

Natural Horsemanship is a training philosophy that is applied by many people.  Basically, this method involves learning how a horse communicates in the wild and imitating those communication techniques to build a strong relationship between horse and human.  This training method works with a horse’s instincts and herd mentality.

Natural Horsemanship has gone a long way to reduce the inhumane training methods of the past; you may have heard of “horse breaking”. Although some people probably still “break” their horses, I do not believe that they are building a strong positive relationship with their horse.  I believe that they are just breaking their horse’s spirit.  Over time, with natural horsemanship, you are able to get into your horse’s mind and understand her better, thereby building a stronger relationship.

Theory of Natural Horse Training (point form)

  • Just like all other social herd animals, horses rely a lot upon their developed communication structure, specifically body language. You, as the trainer, have to learn the subtleties of your horse’s body language and integrate that into your training program. In addition, you will use gentle pressure of escalating intensity to get your horse to respond in the way you want.
  • The trainers who use natural horsemanship believe that teaching their horses through pain and fear does not work. They work hard to mold a horse that is calm and feels safe all the way through training, which in the end produces great results and a much more rewarding relationship between the trainer and the horse.
  • The most important concept of this training method is pressure and release. The pressure is applied and the horse recognizes that as a cue for it to act.   As soon as the horse responds, the pressure is released.
  • To set up boundaries and communication with your horse, groundwork is used. This is generally achieved with lunging and leading, and round pen work exercises.

Understanding a Horse’s Behavior

Have you seen a child hit another child abruptly while playing? In young horses, we see the same behavior. They might unexpectedly bite each other as if saying they want more attention or they want to other to stop doing something. Since you are now part of the herd, they may begin to apply this behavior to you as well.

When one child hits another it is easy to deal with the situation because the child understands your language. It is different with a horse; you have know the horses language to reprimand her properly. First, you have to understand why a horse acts the way it does and that will help you be more patient with her. In turn, that will create a stronger bond between you two.

By working through videos and books on horse training methods as well as gaining hands-on experience with horses, you will be able to choose the best method to train your horse. You can never learn too much, so keep learning and fine tuning your horse training skills. If videos and books do not appeal to you then you can find a horse training college near you and learn all the basics from experienced teachers.

The great thing is, your horse will let you know if you are doing something wrong.  When you are doing something incorrectly you have to figure out what it is and then do it right.  Never stop learning about your passion, you can never learn too much.

Amanda Spring recommends the Horse Training Secrets Revealed course because it is jam-packed with horse training methods and techniques. This course has helped thousands become better horse owners and trainers — check it out right now.