Natural Horsemanship

Connecting With Cam, Part 3 - Purpose with Cam and a Steer

Updated:

November 17, 2020

Jonathan Field, control your horse, equine Ground Skills horses, horses controlling steer, natural horsemanship, connecting with your horse, horses working cows

I’m always looking for fun, different things to do with my horses. Each summer after my spring clinic tour is over, my family, my horses, and I head to our ranch, just west of Merritt, BC. With 600 acres on the home ranch and 10,000 acres of leased land ranging from steep, thick bush country and beautiful views to flat, open pasture with cattle roaming the range, James Creek Ranch is Mother Nature’s playground, and provides endless opportunities for having fun with horses.

Connecting with Cam, Part 2: Playing with Horses at Liberty

Updated:

November 16, 2020

Jonathan Field, horses at liberty, how to connect with horse

Liberty means to play with a horse with no ropes. I clearly remember the first time I saw a horse run up to someone and follow them at liberty. It blew my mind!

Connecting with Cam, Part 1: Ground Skills and New Environments

Updated:

November 15, 2020

Jonathan Field, natural horsemanship, equine ground skills horse, connecting with horse, obstacles for horses, equine mind, horse mind, bombproofing horse

In this next series of articles, I will share with you a very special horse of mine named Camaroon LXXXIV, or “Cam”, an eight-year-old Andalusian stallion. I’ve had Cam for two years and we’re really starting to connect. It’s been quite a journey to get here, however, and I want to share some of the gems I have learned along the way.

The Psychology of Concussion

Updated:

October 20, 2020

horse rider Psychology, horse rider concussion, overcoming traumatic riding accident, overcoming concussion horse riding

It had been three months since Laura, a junior rider, had sustained a simple concussion during a fall from her horse. Her parents were becoming increasingly concerned that she was not progressing in her recovery. Laura was having difficulty focusing at school, disrupted sleep patterns, and intermittent headaches. Fearful of creating any further escalation in her symptoms, she had not returned to riding or any activity.

Broke Horse vs. Schooled Horse

Updated:

September 25, 2020

how to break a horse, how to school a horse, will clinging, how to create a bombproof horse

When I started out with horses it was as a working cowboy. The horses I rode all belonged to the ranch I worked for and I thought because I made my living on the back of a horse that I was a good rider. The horses I rode were for the most part considered “broke.”

Sharing Responsibility

Updated:

September 11, 2020

how to correct a problem horse, allowing the horse to figure it out, will clinging horse training

There is always a reason when things go wrong, and we have to accept at least half of the responsibility. Remember it is we who are asking for certain acceptable behaviour; if we have not defined what is actually acceptable then the horse is right to be wrong.

Mount Your Horse Safely

Updated:

June 24, 2020

Jonathan Field, Natural Horsemanship, Mounting a Horse, Mounting a Green Horse, Horse Behaviour

In this article I will describe the procedure I use to safely mount a horse, and point out some important things to be aware of when mounting and dismounting. Whether you are preparing your young horse for the future or developing good habits with your older horse, there are several key points every horseperson should know.

Behaviour Patterns in Our Horses

Updated:

May 31, 2020

equine behaviour patterns, equine psychology, horse trainer Will Clinging

When I take on any horse there is a period of getting to know what I am dealing with in terms of personality, sensitivity, confidence, past training, possible underlying physical issues, fears, etc. In addressing any behaviour patterns there are many intangible things that we do not always take into consideration.

Does Your Horse Have a Hard Mouth or Hard Mind?

Updated:

April 21, 2020

hard-mouth horses, equine hard mouth problems, sore equine mouth, equine hard mind, overcoming equine hard mouth, overcoming equine hard mouth, teaching the headstrong horse

Most people who are involved with horses have at some point ridden a horse with a “hard mouth.” There is a lot of advice and equipment designed to deal with this problem but understanding how the mouth became hard would be more help than a stronger bit. I believe that there is no such thing as a hard mouthed horse; they are “hard minded” horses.

Horsemanship: Free Up with Sideways

Updated:

March 21, 2020

Jonathan Field, horse riding sideways, horse yoga, lateral equine exercises, half pass at trot, lateral equine exercises along fence, lateral equine exercises without fence, lateral equine exercises touching ribs, Jonathan Field Horsemanship

One of the first things I teach all of my horses is to move sideways willingly from the ground and while riding. These lateral exercises are beneficial for every discipline as they teach your horse to become flexible through the hindquarters and shoulders, and more balanced and athletic. Sideways will stretch and strengthen the horse in ways that moving straight will not. It is like yoga for horses!