July 2004
Book Review
Top Horse Training Methods Explored
by Anne Wilson
|
Published by David & Charles |
Price UK £16.99 US$29.99 |
On returning home from the stables one day
recently after yet another frustrating session
trying to achieve the seemingly impossible
– obtaining the cooperation of an
extremely obdurate and strongminded Exmoor pony
who full of ‘spring fever
’had decided views of his own on the
matter, I fell on this book sent for review in
the hope of finding solutions to all my
problems!
Obviously life wasn’t going to be that simple. Solutions, it appears, have to be worked at and like most things in life it seems we all have to discover our own paths to success. This book makes it abundantly clear that there are many well respected people who have all dedicated much of their lives to training horses, both from the ground and in the saddle and they do not all agree as to how to achieve the best results!
It would no doubt be quite unreasonable to expect all, or indeed any, of the proponents of “Natural’ training methods to agree on the best way of achieving success in the form of a harmonious relationship between any horse and its handlers and this book certainly confirms this as being far from the case at present!
Anne Wilson trains both horses and riders in a classical way, but she does not in any way impose her views upon the trainers featured in this well researched book. The author has done extremely well to keep an open mind on the widely differing techniques and opinions of those trainers interviewed and featured who included Monty Roberts, Pat Parelli, Sylvia Loch, Kelly Marks and Richard Maxwell.
Each chapter describes the philosophy behind the training methods of the featured trainer. Mostly these are concerned with the principles of making training as uncomplicated and stress free as possible - whether the exercises are carried out from the ground or in the saddle. Wherever possible the author has then interviewed the trainer concerned and it is in the questions and answers sections that the most revealing and thought provoking comments are to be found.
It must have been particularly difficult for Anne to accept Monty Robert’s assertion that many classical training methods are ‘overtly brutal’ and that single line lungeing (particularly from a cavesson ) is the “second worst piece of horsemanship on earth”. Monty merits a great deal of respect and has proved that his methods work, but then so have others who may well have relied upon the doctrines of classical Training (which after all insist on the principle of reward) and there are many who have lunged their horses with apparently beneficial results… it is all a minefield but it undoubtedly makes for fascinating reading.
Congratulations are due to the author for having the concept for this book in the first place. It was her aim to open up areas for discussion which are not normally talked about even knowing that this would inevitably lead to the publication of conflicting opinions and often divergent views and ideas. It was her intention to demonstrate that it is never wise to become entrenched in a particular way of doing things; that we should always maintain an open mind in our handling of horses and be willing to consider alternative views and to learn. However she acknowledges that most important of all, we should always do what feels right to us, that nothing is gospel, and that having examined various possibilities we should always follow our own instincts where our horses are concerned – as indeed true ‘horsemen’ have always done.
This is a fascinating and absorbing read and has the added advantage that it can be “dipped into” regularly.
Definitely recommended reading to all horselovers!
See also Anne Wilson’s article “A Frightened Horse is a Dangerous Horse” click here
© Sue Wingate - The Joy of Horses 2004