What is Natural Horsemanship?

            The term “natural horsemanship” was coined¹ by one of the art’s more recent practitioners to put a name to methods of training horses based on a thorough knowledge and appreciation of equine behavior; thus, cooperative communication and understanding in the development of unity and harmony with the horse is the goal, rather than dominance or force.  The art is not new:  the Greek general and horseman, Xenophon, penned the basic tenets of what we now call natural horsemanship in his treatise The Art of Horsemanship, written in 360 B.C.  Since then, there have been many “schools” of horsemanship based on forming a partnership with a horse that include horse-friendly and horse-considerate methods.

            The recent proponents of the art of natural horsemanship include the late Tom and Bill Dorrance, Ray Hunt and Ronnie Willis.  They, in turn, have influenced many of the current clinicians and practitioners of natural horsemanship (though the art is often called by different names) including Sammy Ryan, Clinton Anderson, Buck Brannamen, and John Lyons among many others.

            The current revolution and return to these methods is in part due to the changing role of horses in our society.  Horses today are primarily companion animals, partners for people in the pursuit of leisure, competitive, and inspirational activities.  Our goal is to teach students to form a partnership with the horse based on trust and leadership that facilitates safe, understanding, and fulfilling companionships with them through their training, handling, and riding. UMWestern Natural Horsemanship students begin their education by first establishing a foundation of confidence, respect, and connection with their horse, before moving on to the riding principles of flexion, direction, and impulsion. 

1.  Miller, Robert M., and Rick Lamb.  2005.  The Revolution in Horsemanship and What It Means for Mankind.  The Lyons Press, Guildford, Connecticut