caitlinsmom Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 My dd10 wants to learn how to train a horse. She started with a trainer a couple of years ago but the trainer was undependable and we eventually stopped. Now that she is older she would like to start working more independently, at least for part of the time. We will find someone fully trained to help her of course. Which method of natural horsemanship would you recommend starting with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obsidian Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Does she have her own horse(s)? If not, I'm doubtful you'll be able to find someone willing to give her much independence with relatively little experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caitlinsmom Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Does she have her own horse(s)? If not, I'm doubtful you'll be able to find someone willing to give her much independence with relatively little experience. Yes she does and it has previous training so she's not starting from scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfarm Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Is she familiar with the Pat Parelli training methods? http://www.parelli.com/about.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caitlinsmom Posted August 9, 2014 Author Share Posted August 9, 2014 Is she familiar with the Pat Parelli training methods? http://www.parelli.com/about.html I'm looking at their site right now. I think this is the method she first began with, but I'm not sure. Do you have an experience with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenslp Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 The Parelli method is great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I have found that a good trainer needs to be versed in more then one method. I prefer Clinton Anderson. Parelli has some great horse psychology and his games are great, but I have found that what you see on the videos, is rarely what's happening behind the scenes and following the videos can get really frustrating with some horse personality types. I combine him and Anderson. Well I did right up until I cracked my pelvis last winter. I haven't trained anything since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obsidian Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Yes she does and it has previous training so she's not starting from scratch. I do like Clinton Anderson. I will admit my true love is dressage, and a lot of the more classical trainers are very much about achieving harmony and a partnership with the horse, i.e. Alois Podhajasky (The Complete Training of Horse and Rider). Depending on where you live, it may be easier to find a good classical dressage trainer versus a good natural horsemanship trainer. My unfortunate experience with a lot of natural horsemanship trainers is that they allow horses to run all over them. Obviously, this is NOT correct training, and I've seen no major clinician advocate it, but I have seen it in more local trainers. Anyway -- I have to second Dory's advice and recommend that you go for someone who is willing to incorporate many different methods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obsidian Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Another thought: would it be possible for her to read some books and perhaps try some things on her own so she has an idea of which methods she prefers? Really, for any non-abusive method, the thing that matters most is that the trainer can use the method well and the horse understands and respects the trainer. I would not recommend this approach if you are not familiar enough with horses to at least make sure she is not inadvertently training the horse in rude or dangerous behaviors. If you are familiar with horses, though, it might be something to consider. Also, if she is interested in true horsemanship, it's about so much more than training horses. I would place good horsemanship, regardless of training style, as your most important priority. Training horses is great, but horsemanship involves a whole lot more, from general stable management, to diagnosing and caring for illnesses and injuries, to knowing how to properly groom a horse, etc. Look for someone who puts his or her horses' wellbeing as the most important thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I really like Mark Rashid (has some books and a few DVDs) and Kathleen Lindley. They look at each horse and go from there, not just a "method" for every horse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Yet another plug for Clinton Anderson. I like Parelli OK, but Clinton is my fave. He has a video series called Starting Colts that I've used several times when starting colts :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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