Natural Horsemanship School
Build trust, communication, and a deep connection with your horse
What is Natural Horsemanship?
For thousands of years, many cultures have forged a relationship with the horse. The horse has taken on the role of service, working alongside people in many ways. As this role has evolved, people have sought expert horse trainers who share their experiences on how to develop a deep, profound friendship with the horse.
Much of this relationship is based on patient kindness to understand and know the subtle communication of the horse’s natural way of being in the herd.
People today interact with the horse differently than as a past cavalry mount, plow for the fields, or pulling a buggy for transportation.
Today, research reveals more about the horse. Places like the Institute of Heartmath have studied how horses bring people into a more coherent state of being, making them feel naturally calm and in a truer natural state.
This is helpful in letting go of unhealthy learned habits or nervous system dysfunctions stuck in heightened, prolonged states of fight, flight, and freeze, which cause dis-ease, anxiety, or PTSD.
Having a more natural coherent state of being gives someone a reference point to heal and find their own normal calm true self. They attain confidence, feel clearer, and can navigate life more effectively as an empowered observer instead of unnecessarily reacting to external influences.
There are other related studies that say horses make people smarter. We will discuss why and how this is possible.
How Does Someone Do or Learn Natural Horsemanship?
The phrase “Horse Whisperer” became popular in the 80s and 90s when pioneer trainers sought a better way of kindness toward the horse. They aimed to transition from force or power over the horse to a communication built on concepts of trust and harmony, developing a positive relationship with mutual participation.
They found this approach not only helped them relate more successfully with horses, but also with themselves, others, and overall life. Thus, Equine Assisted Therapies developed and have become very helpful for many people of different ages and challenges they may have.
How Can We Grow and Learn?
Learning with your horse is meant to be relaxed, fun, and enjoyable, as well as safe. Nature and laughter are some of the best medicines!
We present ways to hear the whispers of your horse through subtle awareness, communication, and body language. You can build a successful rapport without words, and it is a very meaningful experience that many say nourishes their spirit deeply.
It starts with you knowing your own self better—understanding your thoughts, intentions, personality, and attitude. This includes the way you walk, your posture, how you relate to the space around you, and how you move, all of which make a difference to the horse. The unspoken nuances are tools you can apply to improve many aspects of your life experience.
A few examples of what we will explore include how horses see movement in their periphery, while we see more forward-focused as predators. Horses also have four legs on the earth, and we have two—this is helpful to understand as you learn.
With this wisdom and skilled foundation, you can add the technical aspects of riding to form a very unique, special friendship. For non-riders, it is also beneficial to improve and build on your unique friendship with life.
Itinerary for On-Site Participation
- 8:30 am: Breakfast (coffee/tea available earlier upon waking)
- 9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Morning Session
- 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch
- 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Afternoon Session
- 5:30 pm: Dinner
(Same schedule each day; we will plan for any special dietary needs you may have)
Relaxed evening campfire, conversation, music, and stargazing
Arrival Day
- Introduction and discussion – meet each other and the horses, mules, and the land, while enjoying a refreshment and snack.
Day 1
- Nature follows the flow of rhythms and timing. It has an effortlessness to this flow, and horses abide by this rhythm. We practice techniques on how it creates calmness and trust for you that can be brought into your intentions of connecting with your horse.
- You will learn to meet them where they are naturally. Think of it as the first layer of subtle knowing or awareness you get to play with.
- And the bonus is you get to know yourself better too (even if you never ride a horse).
- This day explores empathy, clear boundaries, kind asking, listening skills, presence in the moment, connected awareness of your environment, and what it feels like to be very grounded and in tune with the earth.
Day 2
- Nuts and bolts of respecting the horse’s strength and beauty. How to take care of your horse.
- We will explore first aid and consistent safety habits.
- What does your horse need for the best care? Equipment and gear for your and the horse’s long-term comfort and health. Grooming for success.
Day 3
- The groundwork dance. Technical in-hand unmounted and mounted riding skills.
- Influencing your horse’s gaits and advanced skills. Practice at shaping their behavior to build a foundation for both of you.
- Advanced riders can be challenged, and non-riders can just watch or participate with another person. Your level of comfort and the horses’ is respected at all times.
- Putting the layers of communication together as a combined experience. How you learn to cue your horse and shape behavior with release and pressure techniques.
Departure Day
- Breakfast as usual, followed by morning discussion, Q&A, and review.
- Snack for the road.
Horsemanship School 3-Day In-Person Training
Pricing
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$275.00/Day plus 9.1% tax3 Day Training
Booking Information
U-Trail Horseback Adventures
Address:
46 Wild Horse Road, PO Box 66
Glenwood, NM 88039
Email:
utrail@gilanet.com
Cell:
575-519-8569
Skype:
575-519-8569
March 2025
9-13
April 2025
13-17
May 2025
25-29
June 2025
22-26
July 2025
27-31
August
24-28
October 2025
5-9
“My Horsemanship Training and Wilderness Pack Adventures allow me to pass on the experience I have gained living most of my life on the back of a horse, in wilderness backcountry conditions.
Riding rough and rugged country shapes my clinics for a safe, secure, and horse-sustainable experience. Learn the benefits of relationships between horse and rider. Living lessons that will benefit your life”
— James Mater, U-Trail Owner
