Crissi McDonald explores whether taking care of your horse’s brain and nervous system is better to create the behaviours you desire.

There’s a question every horse asks before any other questions, says Dr Stephen Peters. “Am I safe?” If we can answer that question consistently and with assurance, our horse can learn and thrive in a safe environment. 

Crissi McDonald helps us with ideas to consider when switching from a ‘more is more’ mindset to ‘less is more’.

I often tell the story of the moment when I knew I wanted to commit to becoming a Masterson Method® Certified Practitioner. When I heard Jim Masterson say, in the context of working with a horse to help them release tension, “If you’re not sure what to do, do less”, I knew I’d found the right equine bodywork modality for me to pursue. 

Are you struggling with your riding confidence? You are not alone, nearly everyone will be affected by a stage of low confidence. Here are our tips for working through low confidence to achieve the horse riding experience you desire.

Natural horsemanship is not a new concept but one that goes WAY back, even as far as ancient Greece. It involves utilisation of the concept that horses are not simply a beast of burden or one that should be treated like a machine. Instead, horses are treated like the delicate creatures they are, intelligent, sensitive and capable of emotion. Horsemanship seeks to develop a partnership between horse and rider that leads to a deeper connection and commitment to one another.

Before we can speak of stress within horses, we first need to understand the natural behaviour of the horse. Horses are herd animals. A herd has a leader, the leader takes the initiative to graze or rest and the other horses in the herd usually follow. The rest of the herd always has a choice to follow or not, it depends on how confidently the leader sets her intention. 

Natural horsemanship training skills may not be so 'natural' to some and nor are they the 'traditional' ways of horse training. Learning and adopting these techniques and principles, is a journey for both you and your horse that helps develop a kinder method for encouraging cooperation and an overall better relationship with your horse.