About NAGTrader

NAGTrader is run by qualified staff who specialise in kinder alternatives to horsemanship and aims to offer a wide range of advice and help.

Our dedicated team are horse-owners themselves, and so understand the needs of our visitors. As our staff have many years' experience, we are able to draw on a wide range of knowledge to answer your questions, and help wherever possible.

The following article is written by Rosemary - Head Groom at the NAGTrader Stable...

Natural Horsemanship (as I see it…!)

Introduction

The term 'Natural Horsemanship' conjures up many different feelings among people. Some feel it is a new approach to be learnt before being able to continue with their horses' schooling, whilst others feel it is a move away from the traditional, classical methods of horse husbandry, and so should not be encouraged.

In my opinion, neither is true. Natural horsemanship is simply the language used between horse and handler which both can understand. It is nothing more than a way of communicating that promotes a partnership, which is trusting, safe but above all fun.

I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity of spending most of my life around horses. As a small child, not being fortunate enough to own my own pony, I accepted any ride that was offered. This usually meant as many spills as thrills, but it was the foundation of a lifelong love that would take many different turns over the years.

Alois Podhajsky writes a very moving account of the many horses he has known, throughout his years as one of the finest horsemen the world has ever known. It is called “My Horses My Teachers” and I cannot think of a better attitude to such a complex yet devoted animal.

Over the years I have been “taught” by many different horses, and the lessons learned will [hopefully] stay with me forever. One of the first ponies I ever rode was a Welsh Section A type. She taught me balance very early on! She also taught me to think laterally. My friend had been told that she could ride her pony in a local farmer's stubble field, but she possessed only a bridle. A small jump was erected and the pony asked to pop over it.

It became obvious that the pony knew many more rules of the game than we did, and proceeded to deposit my friend on the floor every time she approached the jump. After a while she asked if I would like to try – ever eager for a ride I agreed! After being dumped 2 or 3 times I decided a different approach was needed. I checked my position on the bare back of the little mare, took hold of a very large handful of mane, and played around the jump for a while, simply having fun, without asking her to go over it. After a while she showed that she was ready to take me over, and over we went. She happily jumped for anyone after that. Now at that age I had neither the knowledge nor experience to know how to alter a pony’s attitude, it was instinctive.

If she had continually been asked in the same way to do the same thing, she would always have dumped her rider (she’d certainly thought of a number of different ways of achieving this – from stopping dead and lowering her head, to dropping her shoulder…. you have to admire her ingenuity). However, once this was recognised, and it was made fun for her again, she was more than happy to oblige her little riders. I learned a massive lesson with that little mare, if something isn’t working – stop – think about it – and change your approach if necessary.

In the years which followed I was able to work around horses in my spare time, more lessons learned every step of the way. Eventually, on leaving school, I decided that my whole future would be around horses. Sometimes it has been difficult, very seldom was there any ‘spare’ cash, but my understanding slowly grew, and I was beginning to become a more useful addition around horses.

One of my tutors...

I once bought an Arab x mare who had been bought by her owners (as a foal), as a change from a dog! They kept her in the garden and adjoining paddock, and fed her cake through the kitchen window. I backed her as a 4-year-old and tried to explain how they could improve her living conditions. They agreed with everything and did nothing…so I bought her. By then she was 7yr old – it took that long for them to decide that they actually didn’t really want a 14.2hh horse on their lawn.

The ride home should have taken 10 minutes – when nearly 3 hours had elapsed, my parents sent out a search party. She was a very clever mare and taught me an awful lot. She was not a lover of people, or other animals or life in general really! She hadn't been born that way though, when I trained her 3 years previously she wasn’t so bitter. She had simply learnt to have a great many 'tricks' up her sleeve to evade bad handling, bad riding and bad management…. That shows intelligence! It took many months to gain her trust. She taught me how to sit a real buck, she taught me how to change the mind of a horse that only wants to travel backwards – and, she taught me the true meaning of trust and loyalty. At 33 she still lives on my yard, and will always hold a very special place in my heart.

The number of horses who have passed through my hands are too numerous to mention here, but the point I am trying to make is that they ALL taught me something valuable. Maybe some had similar problems, but required a different way of correcting it. All priceless lessons, and every horse I have known has simply made my respect for this animal even deeper.

My Goal

My goal has always been to make life a little easier and more enjoyable for each and every horse I come across. This is not a sweeping statement, or one which is meant to sound patronising or flippant. It is ongoing; I believe you must never stop learning or ever believe that you know everything that there is to learn.

Why NAGTrader?

It became obvious that I required a vehicle to share my beliefs with others. Not just my opinions on the subject, but the collective ideas of like-minded people. When reading some web sites or magazines, articles are often conflicting – I wanted to change this, and allow a platform for contributors who all genuinely see horses in a similar way. A way that doesn’t always look immediately to a stronger way of control, but looks into the possible reasons for the evasion. A person who can look at a horse and understand that it is unhappy or sore or distressed. Not only understand – but also be prepared to do something about it.

In conclusion

Through NAGTrader I intend to offer advice and help on a subject that I feel passionate about. I will read with interest all contributions, and include as many as possible to share with you. I believe that the horse is friendship personified, and shows a dignity and loyalty that must be respected. The best way to show respect is through knowledge, and this can only be truly gained if one is prepared to listen and be open to new ideas.

If anyone were to ask me for just one piece of advice it would be 'Listen'. Listen to as many different owners, trainers, tutors, riders and above all, horses – as possible. Keep your mind and ears open, and be willing to try different ways and approaches. One of the decisions I made early on was to work with as many different people as possible. I’ve worked in a racing yard, a driving yard, a stud, a competition yard, riding schools and for private owners. I’ve backed youngsters and worked with problem horses (though the problem is often with the owner!!!) The most important thing is not where I have worked, but what I have learned from every single person (equine as well as human) I have come across. Sometimes it’s simply how not to do something.

I still have so much to learn, and the journey will continue to be ever more exciting. I relish the thought of the horses I have yet to meet, and the characters that will make me laugh, cry or simply look on in awe.

I really believe that my life has been transformed by having the opportunity of spending a large proportion of it with horses – and for that I will always be eternally grateful. The one way of possibly being able to give something back is to encourage kindness, compassion and understanding of this, the most loyal and dignified animal – the horse.

Rosemary Coulter