The basic concepts of Natural Horsemanship – Leadership.

Approach and Retreat
Approach and retreat is a great way to build confidence in a horse who is showing signs of fear.

If your horse is afraid of something, he will likely be unreceptive to your attempts to calm or reassure. This can lead to increased fear and even aggression from the horse.

Approach and retreat techniques are a safe, effective way to build the horse’s confidence by moving toward the object or situation that scares him, then moving away from it. Over time, this will help him learn that there’s nothing to fear from these objects or situations.

Pressure and Release
Pressure and release is a simple concept, but it’s not always easy to apply in every situation.

If your horse doesn’t want to go where you want him to go. Instead, hold tight on the rope and as soon as he takes one single step in the right direction, release your grip on the rope to acknowledge his effort. Then repeat: tighten the rope again and wait for another small positive response before releasing again when he heads in the right direction.

Pressure motivates your horse; release acknowledges that he’s heading in the right direction.

Cause and Effect
Horses are smart. They learn quickly and they’re always trying to figure out what you want them to do.

The trick is figuring out how to motivate them. Do you use a carrot or a stick?

The answer is: both!

There are many ways to reward and punish your horse, and they don’t have to be big or fancy—they can be as simple as a pat on the neck or a little treat. And sometimes, you’ll need something more…

But even when you’re using these techniques, it’s important to remember that horses are individuals, each with their own unique personalities. They respond differently depending on their moods, so it’s important that you pay close attention when training your horse so you know exactly what motivates him or her at any given moment in time.

Desensitisation
Confidence is key for your horse. You want them to feel safe and secure when they’re with you. That’s why desensitising your horse is an important part of the training process.

When a horse is afraid of something, they react by running away.

But you can change that!

Desensitisation means teaching your horse to be calm and confident in the face of scary situation. By applying desensitisation techniques, you can help your horse overcome his fears and build confidence, making him safer for you to ride.

Building Blocks
A good foundation will give you the confidence and security you need to make decisions that will help you achieve your goals successfully because they are based on solid knowledge rather than just guesswork or assumptions based on incomplete information or limited experience

Become a leader with your horse, I did. Sign up and ride.