06/23/08

         HorseSpeak™ is just my way of describing the language of horses.  Although not as vocal as some other animals, such as dogs or pigs, horses possess a large vocabulary of their own, beyond the nicker of a friendly greeting, the scream of a challenge or the mournful whinny.  

I have spent nearly a lifetime studying their language, and learning how to share it with them.  I am always observing and always learning.  I have taken what I have learned and developed a training method I call HorseSpeak™ that incorporates the language horses don't need to learn.  Their OWN!  This is not a new fangled discovery, nor am I alone in its use.  It comes in many forms with many names.  If you follow the training circuit, you will notice that most of the well know trainers use some form of these natural techniques.  Its not that successful people use natural methods, rather, natural methods create successful people. 

 Working with the horses nature has been around since horses became domesticated.  The early Indians cherished their horses, ridden bareback, guided by touch as the noble rider depended on his hand for his bow and arrow.  As a youngster, I frequently hopped upon my trusty horse, "Ole Joe", with nothing more than a string on his neck, passion in my heart, and nary a concern for such details as a saddle or bridle.  Modern day mechanical devices to slow your horse, pick up his head, or tie it down- these were all created by folks too much in a hurry, without consideration for the natural movement and willingness  of the animal they so desired to control.  When I was a young trainer, determined to make my mark, I, too, used extra straps, a harder bit, some trick or device to solve a problem.  But it never solved the problem, it just delayed or camouflaged it.  So-called "problem" horses are rarely the problem.   What they have been told and taught by their human counterparts is the problem.  My success with horses began to blossom when I took off the bridle, climbed upon my horse's back and let the truth be told if I was communicating effectively.  I finally listened to the instincts I had as a child. 

At last, we have entered an era where people realize they would rather teach their horse than break it.  And if you are one of those people, you have come to the right place.