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About
Synergy Horsemanship
What is
"Synergy Horsemanship"?
Synergy Horsemanship combines the principles of Natural
Horsemanship such as learning to speak a language the
horse understands and working with the horse’s instincts
and individual personality in a manner that allows the
horse to become an enthusiastic partner; combined with
the appropriate use of tried and true training and
schooling exercises developed by Dressage Masters,
Trick, Cutting, Reining, Cow Working and Western
Pleasure Trainers.
In a nutshell
Synergy Horsemanship is the art of working, training and
riding horses in a kind, firm and fair manner that
horses understand and respond to willingly.
Learning to
Speak Horse
Horses definitely
have a language. They don't speak in words like we do
(although around feeding time ours are surely saying
something), but they do communicate and they do have a
language. It makes sense that if we, as humans, are to
communicate effectively with our horses we need to learn
as much as possible about the ways horses speak /
communicate with one another.
The primary way
horses communicate is through body language and the
primary way horses teach or instructed one and other is
through pressure and release. When communicating with
other horses the alpha horse’s body language makes the
initial request, the alpha horse applies additional
pressure, if necessary, to reinforce the body language
request; the request and pressure motivates the horse
being spoken too to respond and the release of pressure
rewards the horse for responding.
With Synergy
Horsemanship we begin with learning to communicate with
body language on the ground; then we proceed by teaching
the horse to respond to pressure on the ground; once
these communication cornerstones are in place they are
transitioned to rein, seat, leg and body communication
while riding, verbal and hand cues for tricks and
games.
The more
effectively we communicate like horses communicate;
clearly, firmly and without undue force, the more
responsive and enthusiastic our horses become.
Horse
Instincts and Individual Personality
Horses are not
motor cycles or sports cars. They are living, breathing,
thinking animals with their own unique and individual
personality. They have good days, bad days, get happy,
frustrated and scared just like we do. In order to
achieve their best, in order for us to achieve synergy,
the horse must trust us and that trust must be earned by
us.
With Synergy Horsemanship we learn to understand the
horses unique personality (introverted, extroverted,
dominant, submissive, scared, challenging, etc.) and
tailor our behavior and training style to what that
individual horse most needs.
These two concepts
(language and personality) are cornerstones of Natural
Horsemanship and when combined with the proper use of
traditional training and schooling techniques the result
can be amazing
Tried and
True Training and Schooling Techniques
Once the corner
stones of Natural Horsemanship are in place; a common
language has been created and trust has been earned;
then it is time to implement tried and true training and
schooling techniques.
As the popularity
of Natural Horsemanship grew and its undeniable
effectiveness was seen, many trainers and horse
enthusiast lost site of some wonderful and effective
schooling (training for both the horse and the rider)
techniques that had been developed over the years. To a
certain degree, the good was accidentally thrown out
with the bad. Synergy Horsemanship corrects this
mistake.
Synergy
Horsemanship reincorporates the proper use of these
tried and true schooling techniques within the
principles of Natural Horsemanship. The result is safe,
natural and effective horsemanship “Synergy
Horsemanship” for the horse and the rider.
Contact Lorrie Grover
(361) 815-3649
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