While sharing noninvasive, nonviolent time with the horse, offering treats and tactile association (rubs and massages) can be beneficial, they neither encompass the entirety of essential steps of a bonded Peer Attachment relationship with a horse, nor do they develop a maximum degree of reciprocal communication, absolute trust or complete understanding.
That is exactly what the scope of this ‘alternative paradigm’ does, and much more. This learning experiential is offered as an online Distance Learning Course not only with complete instructions and diagrams, but daily email support as well.
The name we gave to this alternative paradigm is ‘Friendship Training.’ Although the word ‘training’ can be very misleading as it requires the horse owner to alter their perception from trainer, to teacher and mentor. It also requires the ‘teacher’ to study, learn and become proficient using specific simultaneous hand/voice requests for ‘cues’ and gaining a THOROUGH understanding of Equus Caballus. In addition, it requires submitting an application before any commitments are made for acceptance as well as a short ‘open book’ test.
FT philosophy also covers a wide range of various aspects concerning total environmental enrichment for the domesticated horse including (but not limited to) nutrition, hoof care, living environment, mental/emotional stratification, rider induced lameness and physical conditioning.
FT has been 100% successful for women (and men) establishing the ‘herd of two within the herd’ relationship with all types of horses and extremes of abuse regardless of age, breed, gender or previous life experiences from Australia, through the United States to Scotland, Great Britain and Germany. This includes all extremes of abuse from aggressive ‘man killers’ to those so frightened and traumatized they would run to the other end of their pasture whenever a human would attempt to enter it. (The circumstances and underlying themes of the testimonials speak for themselves.)
Are there very practical benefits to using this alternative paradigm other than an intimate, trusting relationship with his owner? Very definitely!
- The horse learns ALL the basic cue/requests he will need for all ground and preliminary mounted interaction BEFORE ‘mounting up’ (and BEFORE he ever wears a halter). Ore importantly, he learns there is a human being who understands him who wants to be, and CAN be, a trusted friend.
- Both horse and owner gain a deeper level of understanding of each other that can be attained no other way.
- The ‘two way street’ of RECIPROCAL communication has been proven to be invaluable not only in normal daily interactions, but most importantly, in extreme stress-related situations as well.
- Establishing this type of relationship with a horse gives anyone a greater in-depth understanding of ALL horses that cannot be attained utilizing ‘animal training formats.’Are there liabilities to using this alternative paradigm?
Yes! Due to the increased knowledge base, in-depth understanding, altered perception of roles and depth of intimacy using Friendship Training, it WILL cause varying degrees of disassociation with family members friends and peers who use present day training formats.
- If you feel some sense of ‘wrongness’ in your horse’s training,
- If “Primum non nocere,” (first, do no harm) is of utmost importance,
- If you think something is ‘missing’ in your relationship with your horse,
- If you have been given an ultimatum by your vet or a family member to ‘sell him or put him down,’
- If you need empowerment and assertiveness while enhancing rather than diminishing your horse’s spirit, if you think your horse is a ‘bad horse,’
If you want to do everything humanly possible to win your horse’s heart, then we encourage you to learn more about this alternative paradigm and join our FT family to discover and enjoy a whole new world of horsemanship with your horse.
In our judicial courts of law, we hear it said time and again that, “Ignorance is no excuse.”
If there is some consequential judgment of our life on earth in the hereafter, we can only hope our ego-laden supercilious refusal to ‘look past the end of our nose’ for six thousand years is somehow forgiven.
Above all let us hope when the time comes, that the Horse is not standing next to our Judge, and that justice will be not mercilessly dispensed with ‘an eye for an eye.’
- To acquire knowledge, one must study.
- To acquire wisdom, one must observe.
- To acquire judgment, one must interact.
- To acquire understanding, one must search beyond the norm.
- To acquire perspective, one must empathize.
But to truly conquer, one must love, and in the process, be conquered.