Natural Horsemanship - Common Theories

Common Theories

Techniques and precise theories vary between practitioners of natural horsemanship, but the central theme is that they look to adopt training and handling techniques which are kinder and gentler than traditional methods, on the premise that teaching through pain and fear do not result in the type of relationship that benefits both horse and handler.

Like almost all horse training, the principal teaching aid is the use of operant conditioning to reinforce desired behaviours. The most common conditioning method is the use of pressure and release, with physical pressure being applied until the horse complies, or tries to comply, at which point the pressure is released as a negative reinforcement to the action. Punishment by physical force is rarely used in natural horsemanship, and many practitioners caution against the use of traditional aids such as whips, though many substitute a lasso or the end of a lead rope for the same purpose.

Many techniques focus on the extensive use of ground handling to build rapport with the horse. Methods include the use of leading and suppling exercises, and training the horse on the longe line or loose in a round pen.

Most natural horsemanship practitioners advocate use of a type of rope halter that has a heavier noseband and heavy heel knot reminiscent of a bosal style hackamore for groundwork, and, for some, early riding. Usually use of a 12 to 16 feet (3.7 to 4.9 m) lead rope is promoted, which doubles as a lead line and a short longe line. Some, though not all, practitioners work horses bridleless, or consider bridleless work to represent the culmination of their training. Once a horse is under saddle, most practitioners advocate use of either a loose-ring or a full cheek style snaffle bit, and rope reins that include slobber straps and a lead rope section on the left side characteristic of a hackamore's mecate, sometimes called a "McCarty outfit." All practitioners emphasize light or minimal rein contact with the horse's mouth, encouraging primary use of weight and leg aids. One practitioner has suggested that use of a patented design of bitless bridle can create more effective control of the horse, and solve other problems related to bitting. However, the benefits of a bitless bridle have been questioned in light of recent studies showing that the cross-under design puts significant pressure on the poll and under the chin, while soft tissues such as the tongue are actually better suited to handling pressure from a rider's hands than hard tissues like the nose bone and the palate, though bitless designs may still be useful for horses with mouth injuries.