Natural Horsemanship is an approach to equestrian sports that revolves around understanding, respect, and mutual communication between rider and horse. This approach has gained increasing popularity in recent years. Instead of traditional training methods, Natural Horsemanship focuses on understanding the natural instincts of horses and building a strong emotional bond. This method is not only suitable for experienced riders, but also for beginners of all ages!

What is Natural Horsemanship?

Natural Horsemanship, as the name suggests, is about a natural way of interacting with horses. Horses are naturally prey animals; they respond to small signals and body language. Riders who work with this approach take this into account. Natural Horsemanship is about building a bond based on mutual understanding and trust. To understand each other, you have to be able to communicate with each other. Horses can understand you when you give voice commands or aids, but you can also learn about a horse's body language.

Natural Horsemanship emphasises patience, trust and mutual respect as core principles. The horse is not forced to obey, but is motivated to cooperate. Riders learn to be patient and recognise signals from the horse, enabling horse and rider to understand each other. This not only strengthens the bond, but also encourages the horse to enjoy working with you.

What kind of exercises can you do?

Groundwork, this is one of the most important parts of Natural Horsemanship. Groundwork involves doing exercises with your horse from the ground. This helps you improve your bond and communication. For example, you can try to lead your horse without using a halter rope. Make sure you practise this in an enclosed space.

Desensitisation, the horse is exposed to different things, such as plastic bags or waving pieces of cloth. This teaches the horse to remain calm in various circumstances, which increases the safety of both rider and horse.

Touch exercises, these are exercises in which you touch a horse. This teaches the horse to accept your touch, to trust you and that your horse can also enjoy it! For example, you can stroke the horse with both hands over its entire body.

Circle Work, which involves asking the horse to move in a circle around you. Through your body language, you teach the horse to slow down, speed up, stop, etc. This strengthens the communication between the two of you!