Horse Training: Whos Way Is The Right Way

The more I listen to others, read books on the subject, look at different articles, and watch and listen to tapes, the more I discover how different people claim their methods of horse training are the correct ones.

I often find one trainer will adamantly oppose a technique where another will adamantly swear by its effectiveness. Even more interesting, each has his or her own reasons why.

On one hand, I find it fascinating that trainers think their way is truly the correct way. On the other hand, I get a sick feeling in my stomach when I think other people are persuaded to believe those trainers who push their methods as "the only one".

Why

Because Ive discovered a percentage of the horse owner population think what they learned is all thats available. The problem with that is this: Not every horse will respond to the technique in the same way. Then, a different approach is needed. If the horse handler doesnt know another technique, he is now limited to knowing something that doesnt always work.

But why wouldnt a trainer believe his is correct After all, if it works for him then it IS correct...for him.

Personally, I dont subscribe to any one trainers ways completely. For example, if trainer "John Doe" taught his method and said "do it just like this" chances are I wouldnt. I have my own things that work and some them are similar to or the same as what John Doe does.

Im a BIG advocate of learning all you can from everyone who has something good to show you. Never, never, never learn one persons techniques and be satisfied. If you do, you will miss out on some of the neatest techniques ever. You limit yourself and what you could REALLY do.

Although I push what I know, Ill be the first to admit I dont know it all and that you MUST learn all you can.

Even if you learn different ways, then you must proceed with caution because some of the things you learn will seem hard to grasp. Sometimes, theyll seem unreachable. At times, theyll seem ridiculous.

Let me cite a couple examples.

A while back, I ordered a video of a trainer from Germany. His name is Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling. The video is called "Coming Together".

Unfortunately, this video is more than a bit abstract. It doesnt teach a whole lot but what it does teach is a bit unusual.

Now dont get me wrong. Im not putting down the video. Actually, I kind of enjoyed it. Still, when it was over, I felt like I was left hanging.

This trainer uses his body to establish leadership, friendship, and trust. Briefly, he describes what he does but you dont really get how it all fits together.

Clearly, the horses he works with have a connection with him. But his style of training is quite unorthodox compared to much of what Ive seen and read.

Could the average horse owner do what he does and do it effectively Id have to say "no" because his methods would require him to be right there with you for weeks months training the trainer. Not only that, much of what Hempfling explained on tape seemed so abstract. It wasnt easy understanding all his principles.

The worse part is once youve watched this you may think to yourself you could never do what he does so why try to be a horse trainer. Thats one of the things that worry me about aspiring horse owners and trainers.

They see someone getting results with horses using seemingly "not from this world" techniques. Then they silently say to themselves, "Whats the use...I could never do that."

Luckily, there are powerful alternatives. Ill explain in a minute or two.

Another Ive studied is a man named Henry Blake. Blake is from Ireland I think and grew up with horses all his life. He claims to have a gift with horses that transcend human understanding. After reading his book, I am inclined to agree with him.

Blake even created a dictionary to help us humans understand what the horse is trying to communicate to us. Its fascinating.

One part in Blakes book talks about ESP with his horses. Blake contends he can get his horses moving, stopping, and turning with just his thoughts. He doesnt claim to do this with any horse, only particular ones. Especially if they are Thoroughbreds.

When I read Blakes take on the ESP thing I tended to discount it. Then again, I have had the ESP experience with my Paint horse. She and I are particularly close and there is a connection between her and I that transcends words. I dont claim to steer her left and right or stop her with my thoughts but there have been times where shes done something I wanted her do and I swear I didnt say or do a thing. Gives me chills when I think about it.

Anyway, Blakes book is fascinating reading. Id suggest anyone read it who is into horses. One part that really grabbed my heart strings was when his horse ran to greet him after not seeing him for months. That story, to me, is the ultimate in having a horse as a friend.

So far, it still isnt clear who we should listen to. Should we follow Hempflings horse training methods Should we follow Blakes Who should we listen to

My suggestion is learn all you can from everyone you can. Use what works for you. Be careful to make judgments about a horse trainers methods before understanding "why" he does what he does.

For instance, I am a big fan of Jesse Beery who was a famous horse trainer from the 1800s. His methods are so easy and straight forward youd think theyre too easy.

Beery pushes control and obedience and uses techniques to nurture it - some people dont agree with his methods. My response to that is "learn all you can...use what you want".

But for my money, Beerys methods are unbeatable. They are easy to do. They train a horse so well that safety is the biggest benefit - for what good is it to have and ride a horse if you get seriously hurt

You can learn more about Beery by listening in on Andy Currys free teleseminars. To find out when the next one is, go to this web address: http://www.horsetrainingandtips.com/teleseminar_signup.htm

How does one get a horse so safe with Beerys methods Simple. Beery shows how to get control and obedience from your horse. Without control and obedience, you wont have a horse you can trust. If you cant trust your horse, your horse will know it. You then put yourself in danger and risk getting hurt - even to the point of ending up crippled.

But with Beerys methods, you practically eliminate all risks. You transform your horse into a tractable, manageable, valuable horse thats the envy of anyone who rides him. Not only that, Beery shows how to eliminate numerous bad habits.

His methods are straight forward, easy to do, and best of all...they are NOT abstract. You wont be saying to yourself, "I dont get it."

In fact, Beerys methods are so well thought out, tested, and proven that you can train a horse to "Whoa" under any condition, and under any excitement.

Whats so special about that "Whoa" is the most important command a horse must know. Especially, if you are a horse owner aged 30 to 60 because we tend to "hurt" and "break" a lot easier and faster than when we were younger.

If you cant control your horse to stop while fence posts are whizzing past you when youre riding a out of control horse, you risk severe injury, danger, and perhaps...death. Having a horse that will stop under any condition despite any excitement is, in my book, training that everyones horse should have - period!

© 2004 Andy Curry
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