The Key Principle of Natural Horsemanship: Patience

Cowboy Strong Horsemanship

Cowboy Strong’s 5 Key Principles of Natural Horsemanship form the foundation of a unique and powerful approach to training and working with horses. These principles – trust, respect, communication, patience, and partnership – are the guiding force behind every interaction and training session between horse and human. Cowboy Strong’s approach emphasizes building a deep, meaningful relationship with your horse, based on mutual understanding and respect. Throughout this series of articles, we will explore each of these principles in depth and provide exercises and techniques to help you develop a stronger partnership with your horse.

Key Principle of Natural Horsemanship: Patience

Patience is a key principle of natural horsemanship. Horses are sensitive animals that require patience and understanding to achieve success. In this article, we will explore the importance of patience and an exercise that can help to improve it.

Natural horsemanship emphasizes the importance of taking the time to understand your horse’s individual needs and personality. Horses have their own personalities and behaviors, and they often require patience and understanding to establish a strong relationship.

One exercise that can help to improve patience is “the waiting game.” This exercise involves standing with your horse in a confined area, such as a round pen, and waiting for your horse to approach you. This exercise can be challenging at first, as it requires you to be patient and wait for your horse to make the first move.

To begin the exercise, position yourself in the center of the round pen or other enclosed area, and allow your horse to move around you. Wait for your horse to approach you, but do not try to coax him or make any sudden movements. Remain still and calm, and allow your horse to approach you on his own.

The waiting game requires patience, as it may take some time for your horse to approach you. Horses are prey animals and can be naturally cautious or skittish, especially if they are not used to this type of exercise. It is important to remain calm and patient, and to wait for your horse to approach you on his own terms.

As your horse approaches you, reward him with praise and a gentle touch. This will help to reinforce his trust in you and encourage him to approach you more readily in the future.

The waiting game is a valuable exercise for improving patience and building trust with your horse. By allowing your horse to approach you on his own terms, you are demonstrating your respect for his individual personality and behaviors. This can help to establish a stronger bond and build trust between you and your horse.

Another important aspect of patience in natural horsemanship is the willingness to take the time to understand your horse’s needs and behaviors. Horses are sensitive animals that require a lot of patience and understanding to establish a strong relationship. By taking the time to observe your horse’s behaviors and personality, you can better understand his needs and tailor your training approach to suit him.

In conclusion, patience is a crucial component of natural horsemanship.

The waiting game is a valuable exercise for improving patience and building trust with your horse. By demonstrating your respect for your horse’s individual behaviors and taking the time to understand his needs, you can establish a strong bond and build trust between you and your horse. Remember to be patient, calm, and understanding in all of your interactions with your horse, and you will be rewarded with a deep and lasting partnership.