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The concept of wholistic horse training is simple. The word wholistic is defined as considering all parts of the whole being. Training is a small part of the wholistic "big picture". Training a horse wholistically entails that you consider all other aspects involved, including health or pain issues, environmental factors, and your own personal pitfalls. Caring for and training horses wholistically means that you find the source of the problem and work to improve upon that.
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On the opposite side of the spectrum, allopathic training is commonly used, and is often a way of getting a desired result while not actually fixing the source of the problem. For example, using draw reins to lower a horse's head carriage rather than working on the source of the problem (a lack of clear communication and cues between the horse and rider). Allopathic training can only take you so far before "holes" in your training become evident. The source of the problem continues to show up in future areas of training and it can become an endless cycle of fixing "symptoms" to a problem, while overlooking the actual cause.
There were countless times, when I first began working with horses that I heard my trainers coaching me like this: "Spank that horse and make it go over that jump" or "Go get a twitch and make him stand still". This is how many of us have learned. In the beginning, we think it's just the way it's done. We don't tend to question our teachers, and don't seem to realize that there may be a valid reason why the horse doesn't go over the jump, or refuses to stand still. When there is a lack of knowledge or understanding, the tendency is to "make" the horse do it by using force or intimidation. After a few years of learning this mindset, I began to break free of it.
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Over the past 15 years, I have been on a constant search for answers. A journey to better horsemanship. I have learned from so many horse people, trainers and clinicians who share the same personal goals that I have. Although I have learned countless invaluable lessons over the years, I do not consider myself to be an expert. Who is? No one person will ever have all the answers. Many of you will discover, as I have, that the more you know about horses, the more you know you don't know.
Becoming a better horse-person is an endless journey.
My own personal goals in working with horses are to create a positive and cooperative relationship that allows the horse to trust me and be willing to work with me. I am able to care for and enjoy horses more fully because my interactions with them become pleasant. When I can mount a horse and give light cues, and the horse responds to every cue with positive effort: "Yes! I will do that", I know I have succeeded in developing the relationship I want with the horse. When the horse doesn't respond, or responds with a negative "No! I don't want to", I have failed at preparing the horse well enough for the task at hand.
It is very rewarding when you're working with horses that want to work with you, rather than knowing that you are forcing them to do as you wish, against their wants and needs.
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This realization came to me many years ago when I was away from my own horses and was looking to ride. A friend offered her horse, one that was supposedly so well trained that it was worth over $30,000. I was wanting a pleasant hack across the fields, and was left sitting on a horse that had become so accustomed to being forced to perform with spurs, whips, harsh bits and gadgets, that it was a constant, nag nag nag, pull pull pull. Every moment of that ride became less plesant than the one before it. It was a painful workout for my body, and it didn't feel good at all to be sitting on a horse that completely lacked enthusiasm for what we were doing. I dismounted after 15 minutes, and I was missing my own horses badly. Since that day, I no longer ride horses owned by other people, unless I know that the horse is enthusiastic about his job, or that I am allowed ample time to build a solid base of communication with that horse through a training regime. Otherwise, it makes no sense to me and brings no pleasure or joy into my life or the horse's life.
I will never have all the answers for you. However, if you share the same personal goals that I have, I can help to get you started on your own journey, and share the information that I have learned over the years that has allowed me to grow to become a better horse trainer, care-taker and partner. There is not one bit of information in these horse training articles that is new. Most of this information comes from sources as far back as 400BC, the first written words of horse wisdom. There are also many writings by Native Americans who had naturally learned and shared these principles. I am providing this information as a service to you, so that you don't have to spend 15 years, like I did, through trial and error, research, and "learning the hard way". These are the basic building blocks that I have learned over the years. They are not entirely complete, and never will be. However, as I continue on my own journey to better horsemanship, I will continue to share what I learn with you.
Throughout these pages, you'll find various quotes and comments that I personally value and believe in. These quotes are from the many horse trainers and clinicians that I have learned from. When you come across one of these quotes, please take a moment to really absorb their words, in your own way. Think about how their words relate to you and the relationships you have with the horses in your life.
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There is no cookie-cutter solution to any training problem. Being able to train and communicate efficiently with horses is an individual process—you will learn in your own unique way, and all horses will respond as individuals.
Just as it takes many, many years of study and practice for a human psychologist to learn to make a positive impact and change in their patients lives, it will also take you many years of study and practice to understand equine psychology to a level that you are able to communicate efficiently with horses that exhibit multiple behavior problems and psychological "baggage" from past handling and training. Improvements take time, consistency and patience. So, learn what you can when you can, and apply what you learn as you go.
Keeping your mind and heart open will allow you greater success than you ever thought possible.
Happy Hoofin'
Cheryl Sutor
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The information on this site is not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. This information is not intended to be used as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Cheryl McNamee-Sutor is a certified mentor hoof groom, wholistic bare hoof specialist, horse trainer, reiki practitioner, and an educator and distributor of therapeutic-grade essential oils; NOT a licensed doctor or veterinarian. If you are sick, injured or otherwise unhealthy, please consult with a licensed doctor.
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