This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavior and Training » What Makes for a Good Trainer »
  Discussion on New to Natural Horsemanship: Where to Start??
Author Message
Member:
dove2

Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 10:24 am:

I realize this is an old thread, but I really must resurrect it because ever since starting with horses, I have wished there was one place where I could go and reap the benefits of someone else's discoveries and mistakes (without having to make all of them myself).

For the past three years, I have tried all sorts of natural horsemanship methods, bought and read a billion books, talked to everyone and anyone who would give me their insights into horses and training, etc. etc. etc.

I started with Parelli (he packages materials so well - a real businessman), but my horse got bored with that real quick. Groundwork is important, for sure, but you gotta move on.

My first instincts toward Clinton Anderson was that he was more geared toward the monster horse, because he seemed too rough with horses. Then came the time when my own young horse seemed to need this handling, so I bought into Anderson's techniques. It did work to get my horse more respectful, but it seemed to be missing something. In retrospect, I found it missing compassion.

I went to lots of clinics, including Bryan Newbert, Mark Rashid, Clinton Anderson, Chris Cox.

Well, this past weekend, I went to a clinic of a trainer (unknown to me prior to this) who lives in Idaho. This fellow made the biggest impression on me - as a trainer - because he put together all the elements in the most balanced way I've ever seen. His name is Frank Bell.

I would just like to recommend Frank Bell to anyone just getting started in Natural Horsemanship, whether a beginner with horses, or experienced horse riders who want to understand horses better. His methods produce incredibly fast results in a very easy to understand format. More importantly, he teaches us to bond with the horse first - and shows us how. He does not have any new or unique gimmicks, nor fancy marketing. He is just a very genuine horse lover who teaches for the sake of the horse. He teaches the beginning student to always ask quietly and easily first, then escalate as needed. He lays a simple yet solid foundation, both for horse and human.

If I had discovered Frank Bell first, I probably would have a whole lot more dollars in my pocket today. His video, Discover the Horse You Never Knew, explains and demonstrates his seven steps and is quite informative. Sorry to sound like a commercial for him, but I wish someone had posted a strong recommendation for a solid horsemanship foundation like the one Frank provides when I was getting started. Check out his website: www.horsewhisperer.com
Member:
zarr

Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 11:29 am:

Dove2, just checked his web site Thank You am never one to turn down knowledge.Have heard of him don't know much about him but he certainly looks very good. You have found the best key to horsemanship i.e. search for the best possible approach that works for you and your horse. I will read much more on Frank Bell's methods. Cindy
Member:
lilo

Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 11:34 am:

Hi Dove2,

Just this morning I was talking to my friend and neighbor Wanda (also a HA member) about natural horsemanship and the similarities between them. We are going to watch a Frank Bell video at our next meeting. I must say that there are similarities - the "friendly" game of Parelli, and the different phases Parelli has. I am most familiar with Parelli, but have watched demonstrations or clinics by John Lyons, Mark Rashid (have most of his books), Pat and Linda Parelli, and read about Frank Bell on his website. Am currently watching Clinton Anderson on RFD-TV. I do admit that he can seem somewhat harsh at times when he wants to get a horse's respect.
What I believe is that different people and horses respond differently, and one has to find what works best for one's own style and personality. I am currently also reading Stacy Westall's series in the Horse and Rider. As I said - to me there are more similarities than differences. Maybe because I am looking for them?
My first horse(green horse, green rider -- yes, I know!) was a young thoroughbred that I trained on the longe and with voice commands based on the classical German method. Had never heard of "Natural Horsemanship"
yet had an incredible bond with that particular horse. I used a lunge line and lunge whip - now I use a 12ft rope, rope halter and carrot stick for ground work. And I see more and more trainers using the stick and rope, rope halters and soft marine rope for their lead ropes.
I am glad that you find Frank Bell's method the best, and wish you luck with applying his methods. I am looking forward to the next riding club meeting, because I am sure I will learn something I can use with my horses.
What I found when some friends and I were taking lessons from a Parelli trainer was that it was incredibly helpful to get together with a bunch of like-minded friends and spending the entire day just focusing on your horse, as well as observing others and the progress they were making with their horses.
Lilo
Member:
dtranch

Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 11:56 am:

Dove .. you have done it the correct way. The only "true natural horsemanship" is the one you can adapt and adopt as your own. I personally have studied John Lyons, Dennis Reis, Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson, Frank Bell, Chris Cox, Monte Roberts, and just about anyone else with a video or book to plug. They all have good and bad points in my opinion, but Dennis Reis and Frank Bell are probably closest to my own personal beliefs and personality.

Every trainer is unique as is every horse. We have to learn and develop our own methods for every situation by absorbing whats out there, trying something new on our own and remembering what works best for us.

Just my opinion for what its worth

DT
Member:
dove2

Posted on Monday, Apr 30, 2007 - 12:11 pm:

Absolutely right, DT! If you were a traveling clinician, you would also be on my list of "closest to my own personal beliefs and personality."

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that Frank Bell's confident humility and kindness towards others went a long way in my book. (You reminded me of that, DT.) I indeed learned a lot from him. It's also nice to be past trying to understanding the techniques, and now understanding the nuances.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC