Falling For A Fell Pony
Inglegarth Harcala, imported from the UK several years ago, and my partner ever since.
When I was first putting Harcala under saddle, I would pony him out with other horses. Ponying horses is a fantastic skill to learn (both human and horse) and a great way to get horses or ponies out and about without having to be on their back.
Harcala and I like to swim together. We like to do just about everything together. Our relationship is solid and based on Natural Horsemanship methods and philosophies.
Murthwaite Yelena playing the Friendly Game with my sister, Shannon.
Natural Horsemanship
While deciding what I wanted to include in this little website, I made notes about everything Fell. In my own little Fell world, Natural Horsemanship seemed to be a recurring topic.
I was raised with horses. I cannot recall a time in my life when my family did not have horses. Even when we lived in Southeast Asia for several years, we had a horse.
My father was raised in a ranching lifestyle in the West. he knew about horses. He taught us. Was it natural? No, not really... but we were fortunate that it was also not as "traditional" as so many.
We always trained our own horses. No matter what it was we wanted them to do, we trained them to do it. During the decades that my family owned and operated our Arabian breeding farm, my sister did all the training. But as we rarely got along back then, if I wanted my personal horses to be trained, it was up to me. It's amazing I'm still alive.
About 16 years ago, my sister (whom I was finally getting along with) found Natural Horsemanship and embraced it. As she was now a professional horse trainer, taking in outside horses for clients, and I had new horses I wanted trained, I asked for her help. And she agreed with one proviso- I had to learn Natural Horsemanship.
This softly couched ultimatum was after she had coaxed me to a Natural Horsemanship presentation, which I hated. I didn't like the guy, I didn't like the prices, I didn't like the day or my seat or where we parked. To say that I was dragged into Natural Horsemanship is putting it mildly.
However, after a couple weeks of the most basic of methods, I saw a difference in my filly, and a difference in me. I tried more things, and they actually worked. If it didn't work, I was quick to say, "see!" and my sister would crawl down off the fence railing and say, "bend your body this way. Look at her hindquarters." And then as my filly easily did what it was I was asking, my sister would quietly say "see," and crawl back onto the fence rail.
That was about 14 years ago, and I have become an advocate of Natural Horsemanship. I know dozens of people who have the same view of it as I did in the beginning, and have convinced themselves that they don't need it, it doesn't work, there is no real gain. These are the same people who can be heard complaining about trailer loading, bolting, bulging, refusals, not taking the correct lead, jigging, and the list goes on.
What most people seem to fail to understand is that Natural Horsemanship is not a discipline. It is not that you either do dressage or Natural Horsemanship. You don't have pick between reining, eventing or Natural Horsemanship. It is simply an alternative method or path to achieve the same results. Or perhaps more accurately, better results.
The reason I wish to bring Natural Horsemanship into a conversation about Fell Ponies is that while I think every single horse on the planet, as well as their human, could benefit from the practice of Natural Horsemanship, I think Fell Ponies are among a group who almost demand it.
Fell Ponies are pretty laid back, but they have an intellect that needs activity. They enjoy challenges and thrive in relationships.
When my gelding, Harcala, arrived in this country, he watched me warily. He showed no signs of annoyance or interest... the perfect poker face. He would test me every now and again by herding or driving or pushing me slightly. He would try to make me move my feet without moving his. As I had already been involved in Natural Horsemanship for many years at that point, plus having been raised in the company of horses, I knew what he was doing. As he continued to play his games and I played them back, he became interested.
Harcala had spent his young life on the hills of his home-country, playing and communicating with other horses. Within a few weeks of playing and communicating with me, he would canter to the fence-line where I was, and look at me curiously. When we would go out and play together online, he would enjoy it. He really enjoyed (and still enjoys) testing me. He would still see if he could move my feet without moving his. He would try to drive me, and then I would drive him.
Fells need good leadership, or they won't follow. They need to trust their human and have confidence in their ability. Simply put, they are generally just too smart to be happy doing nothing. They thrive in relationships. They love challenges. They enjoy learning. And we owe it to them to offer what we can.
Having lived without Natural Horsemanship and now with it so ingrained in my life, I know that all my horses and ponies and myself, are better off today. I so strongly believe in the benefits of Natural Horsemanship that I offer discounts on sales and leases to clients (soon-to-be-friends) who have achieved a higher level of savvy.
While I do not take on training clients, and have no interest to do so, I do know of wonderful trainers and coaches around the country. I would be very happy to connect you with one wherever you are.
I also invite you to visit us (me and my Fells) in the Black Hills and immerse yourself in Natural Horsemanship and enjoy our hundreds of miles of incredible trails.
I look forward to hearing from you regarding anything Natural Horsemanship and/or Fell Pony related.
I was raised with horses. I cannot recall a time in my life when my family did not have horses. Even when we lived in Southeast Asia for several years, we had a horse.
My father was raised in a ranching lifestyle in the West. he knew about horses. He taught us. Was it natural? No, not really... but we were fortunate that it was also not as "traditional" as so many.
We always trained our own horses. No matter what it was we wanted them to do, we trained them to do it. During the decades that my family owned and operated our Arabian breeding farm, my sister did all the training. But as we rarely got along back then, if I wanted my personal horses to be trained, it was up to me. It's amazing I'm still alive.
About 16 years ago, my sister (whom I was finally getting along with) found Natural Horsemanship and embraced it. As she was now a professional horse trainer, taking in outside horses for clients, and I had new horses I wanted trained, I asked for her help. And she agreed with one proviso- I had to learn Natural Horsemanship.
This softly couched ultimatum was after she had coaxed me to a Natural Horsemanship presentation, which I hated. I didn't like the guy, I didn't like the prices, I didn't like the day or my seat or where we parked. To say that I was dragged into Natural Horsemanship is putting it mildly.
However, after a couple weeks of the most basic of methods, I saw a difference in my filly, and a difference in me. I tried more things, and they actually worked. If it didn't work, I was quick to say, "see!" and my sister would crawl down off the fence railing and say, "bend your body this way. Look at her hindquarters." And then as my filly easily did what it was I was asking, my sister would quietly say "see," and crawl back onto the fence rail.
That was about 14 years ago, and I have become an advocate of Natural Horsemanship. I know dozens of people who have the same view of it as I did in the beginning, and have convinced themselves that they don't need it, it doesn't work, there is no real gain. These are the same people who can be heard complaining about trailer loading, bolting, bulging, refusals, not taking the correct lead, jigging, and the list goes on.
What most people seem to fail to understand is that Natural Horsemanship is not a discipline. It is not that you either do dressage or Natural Horsemanship. You don't have pick between reining, eventing or Natural Horsemanship. It is simply an alternative method or path to achieve the same results. Or perhaps more accurately, better results.
The reason I wish to bring Natural Horsemanship into a conversation about Fell Ponies is that while I think every single horse on the planet, as well as their human, could benefit from the practice of Natural Horsemanship, I think Fell Ponies are among a group who almost demand it.
Fell Ponies are pretty laid back, but they have an intellect that needs activity. They enjoy challenges and thrive in relationships.
When my gelding, Harcala, arrived in this country, he watched me warily. He showed no signs of annoyance or interest... the perfect poker face. He would test me every now and again by herding or driving or pushing me slightly. He would try to make me move my feet without moving his. As I had already been involved in Natural Horsemanship for many years at that point, plus having been raised in the company of horses, I knew what he was doing. As he continued to play his games and I played them back, he became interested.
Harcala had spent his young life on the hills of his home-country, playing and communicating with other horses. Within a few weeks of playing and communicating with me, he would canter to the fence-line where I was, and look at me curiously. When we would go out and play together online, he would enjoy it. He really enjoyed (and still enjoys) testing me. He would still see if he could move my feet without moving his. He would try to drive me, and then I would drive him.
Fells need good leadership, or they won't follow. They need to trust their human and have confidence in their ability. Simply put, they are generally just too smart to be happy doing nothing. They thrive in relationships. They love challenges. They enjoy learning. And we owe it to them to offer what we can.
Having lived without Natural Horsemanship and now with it so ingrained in my life, I know that all my horses and ponies and myself, are better off today. I so strongly believe in the benefits of Natural Horsemanship that I offer discounts on sales and leases to clients (soon-to-be-friends) who have achieved a higher level of savvy.
While I do not take on training clients, and have no interest to do so, I do know of wonderful trainers and coaches around the country. I would be very happy to connect you with one wherever you are.
I also invite you to visit us (me and my Fells) in the Black Hills and immerse yourself in Natural Horsemanship and enjoy our hundreds of miles of incredible trails.
I look forward to hearing from you regarding anything Natural Horsemanship and/or Fell Pony related.