Putting a name on something helps to categorise it so that in a single or few words, we can all understand the essence of what we are trying to describe. So, yes, this is natural horsemanship or horse whispering, as it has become known. However, there should be no big mystique about it. Clever marketing and movies have made it seem much more than what it really is. Ultimately, it is about good horsemanship and the essence of natural horsemanship/horse whispering is as follows.


Being a good horseman (gender neutral of course) is a combination of -

  1. Safety
  2. Considering the welfare of the horse both physically and emotionally
  3. Knowing what to do to motivate the horse to respond to your requests in a willing manner
  4. Seeking, as much as is humanly possible, to get things done in a manner that simulates the way that horses motivate and interact with each other. This means there is a need to understand some of the psychology of horses and to carefully watch what they do in the herd. I say ‘some of the psychology’ because I don’t believe we can ever fully understand. After all, we are humans and will naturally put our human spin on things. The very time you think you have it worked out is usually when some other horse will show you something different.
  5. Giving the horse a chance to choose options in order to discover the desired behaviour, rather than giving it no choice.
  6. Taking the time to develop and improve the responses from the horse rather than expecting it to be perfect in a quick-fix.

There is a lot more that can be discussed to define good horsemanship but it really isn't necessary just here. Within the parameters described above, there is enough scope to realize that there can be more than one good way of getting the job done and natural horsemanship is not the exclusive domain of only one or two trainers.


The natural horsemanship methods I use and teach are definable and learnable. This means it can empower and help people and their horses to get along harmoniously. What I teach does not require a lot of special equipment. This is about simplicity and effectiveness without any razzmatazz. You can call it natural horsemanship or horse whispering if you like but to me, it is simply good horsemanship.

When investigating training methods to determine if worthy of your acceptance, may I suggest that you assess the following -


Can you get hurt? nothing can ever be guaranteed as horses are unpredictable but all reasonable precautions must be inherent in the training both on the ground and when riding. Helmets should be worn at least when riding!


Can the horse get hurt? again, nothing can ever be guaranteed. Avoiding tie-down or tie-up methods, inappropriate rope use such as butt-ropes, using adequate leg protection, working environment etc will go along way to avoiding unnecessary harm.


Is the horse calmer after the lesson than before? there should be a discernable difference in the emotional state of the horse, a lowered state of excitement, a sense of calm and cooperation, more willingness.


There are many so-called natural horsemanship trainers and methods that fail this assessment. Just because someone has a high profile doesn't mean their methods pass the assessment.


I hope this information helps you.
Norm Glenn