Never Do These Horrible Natural Horsemanship Exercises Again (If You Like Your Horse)

[@debbiesmith3146]

So glad I saw your video. I had alot of people say I didn't know what was doing.when i used to train horses. I'm in my 60s now I will take a horse trained like this any day

[@marilynbowe650]

I’m not an accomplished horsewoman really, but my husband and I had the privilege of introducing horses to many people in Alaska, including 3 severely autistic boys. Rode pleasure mostly, including extreme trail riding on the Denali highway. We had draft crosses, perfect for that country, and always worried they wouldn’t be in good enough shape for what we were asking. Third year into this we realized that even heavily loaded up with saddles! Scabbards, and light packs, we very carefully mounted what we termed our “crotch rockets” at the beginning of our ride each day. The horses loved the game trails (including bear trails) and river crossings and high country hills, and muscled out so fast - each day they were ready for more. Building their backs in the hills made for some powerful mounts. My OTTB rode like a Cadillac, but I knew it was the slow, steady work that built his back up and gave him a beautiful topline. Miss those days. Thank you for your post. 😊

[@tracyjohnson5023]

Agreed the standard rope halter isn't made to ride in much. I made my own that fits snugly and put reins on sides. One has some bite and I use it on rehab types so I'm not aggressive in the mouth to start. The other is softer and start horses in it for first few rides. Then I put snaffle on for them to carry while reins still on halter for more rides. One thing that's definitely overlooked in training these days is horses spending time on a high line or patience pole. I do it with halter, but I also add the bit under halter. Still tied with halter, but this really helps them learn to carry bit and teaches them to stand well. Regarding back up, steady pressure with both hands usually results in a brace with halter, bosal, bit.

[@JessaIreland-ii2wc]

Great teaching. I can really see how much more balanced your horse is when you rode him correctly.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Thank you, appreciate that! Leading through our seat & aids then if needed driving, works so much better for our horses than pulling on them. Here’s to better ways that work better for our horses and us too. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@bigbrad4434]

What a great video I cowboy full time and start colts it’s my opinion that a lot of these horsemanship gurus want to keep the general public at an elementary level to sell products. I start vertical flexion within the first few rides and the same with the outside rein. Having independent control of the horses body parts yes, but not at the expense of being able to keep your horse straight! I could rant on this stuff all day. People would be much better off reading books of the old school European horseman that created the warhorse. Thanks for the video

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Absolutely agree many gate keep the information of what really works and can be done much earlier so that their students stay stuck in their programs and levels… garbage. Incorporating guiding off the outside rein and leg so as you said the horse can stay more straight and balanced is a massive help to the horse and makes everything for the horse and human much easier! And I’m with you, vertical flexion in the first few rides for the sake of better balance & biomechanics is spot on👌🏻. Appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective and thanks for watching

[@tracyjohnson5023]

@@bigbrad4434I wholeheartedly agree with you! Those old books are golden in many ways. Classical horsemanship works across disciplines imo. I definitely get why bitd ranch horses got started with the buck out. They had to go to work quickly and stop, go, plow rein is all they needed to work. ❤

[@Rosebud65]

You are so good.

[@cherylemery109]

I'm really glad I found you. I think everything you spoke about and demonstrated makes so much sense. I guess my favorite tip is not riding around with loose reins and not having the horse in a better working position.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Glad to have you here! Developing that working posture is so important for our horses to not be using themselves in ways that creates long term issues and a whole lot of short term frustrations. Thanks for watching and sharing

[@jth1195]

I agree with most of what you said. I subscribed. Here is my two cents. I don't flex . If his head turns a certain degree his shoulder need to follow. One rein stop is BS. That is what they do in old westerns when they need to make it look like the horse got shot. All horses would rather be pushed than pulled. They don't pull each other around the pasture.

[@lydiagould3090]

This is great to hear! Thanks for making this video. Remembering my worst natural horsemanship habits, it was mainly in the groundwork . The hindquarter yield and wiggly rope back up. I've always got my young horses used to the bit very soon because I dislike riding in the halter for the reasons you mention. Yes please continue this series. I'm an English rider that does Cowboy dressage ,Trail ,and aspiring to do Working equitation, so look forward to getting a roasting🤣🤣🤣

[@yvonneschouten8973]

Ha right on 🙌Would definitely add flexing the horses head around until it's rubbernecked!!! Have been in those clinics many moons ago and it messed up my horse!!

[@tracyjohnson5023]

The one thing I'll add about flexing is when turning the head for direction, you have to add leg. Put some trail miles on a horse that had been flexed and was rubbernecked which is great. The problem was he wasn't taught to turn in motion. You could bend his head/neck to your knee and he'd keep going straight. He was so flexible that no his body did NOT follow his head lol.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

This is a big issue! So important to keep where the horse is looking with their head and neck connected to their feet until that foundation is solid and they’re ready for more advanced skills. … maybe one to put in the list for episode 2…? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@yvonneschouten8973]

@@tracyjohnson5023 agreed! For my older horses it's still hard, they always want to flex around when you touch the rein! I do Ranch Riding and that requires a good neck rein and FORWARD! I also take them on trails at least twice a week.

[@jbohio7821]

The pulling thing really made sense to me. Thank you for these tips.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

You’re very welcome

[@hopebehrendt1786]

If your horse is strung out, he does not have his back rounded and is more likely to develop back issues! He also needs to be able to reach under himself to keep his hocks, stifles and hips loose and moving properly! Pay attention folks cuz Colton is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! Your bit is used for communication. A port bit allows horse to lift his shoulders becoming lighter on his front end and again, rounding his spine!

[@tracyjohnson5023]

True but the horse has to develop some fitness to be able to maintain that frame. I'm definitely a fan of horses learning self carriage too.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Fitness in our horses is one of the most misunderstood topics as they do not progress or digress in fitness like we do. It takes the same ingredients though- consistently working them, good nutrition, plenty of time and not over doing it.

[@stephenqueen6211]

I have many thoughts on what you were saying. But I'll only touch on 2. 1. You don't always have to be doing something while around your horse. I spend a great deal of time just standing with them and both of us relaxing. Both in the saddle and on their backs. 2. The idea of wiggling the lead rope to get them to back up is for when doctoring in pasture you can signal to your horse to take the slack out of the lariat. It is not suppose to transfer to backing in the saddle. To teach from the ground you should do something closer to what they'd feel if you were in the saddle. If I'm just trying to get them to back up from a distance, I direct energy at their front feet to get them to look down while backing.

[@anne-grethemichaelsen5789]

100% agree with you in No1: we don`t always have to be doing something while we are around horses!

[@tracybrock1406]

Totally right! I was a member of a natural horsemanship program for years! And while I like what it taught me on the ground, it had us doing things way too long. And then in order to get to the next level you had to have a checklist done. So basically we ran the wheels off our horses. Sadly some were washed up by level 3. My own Appaloosa boy who is 21.... is very Wiggly because of it. We really have to ride in concentrated rain to get him to get under himself and use his engine better & straighter. Good information! ❤

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Appreciate you sharing this cause I know a lot of other folks feel the same way!

[@staceykrahn]

Thank you for a great video!

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@AnnaHendricks-j5y]

You left out> People need to stop trying to learn from online! Period! Skills and so called partnership is not learned online! jmho

[@MollyGrue1]

Hey, thanks, you coverd a LOT of things I had to deal with in many years with my own horse and trainer talk and I'm from the English riding tribe. Well, trail rides and a bit of gymnastic dressage to keep the horse healthy. All you said here makes sense. Well I COULD ride my horse with a wiggly halter and bitless bit it did not get us anywhere, horse grew kind of stiff while never had a problem with a soft hand on a snaffle bit rein at all. Gratefully responded and went through the exercises to keep it straight and do all the bending and engaging stuff, and easily controlled outside while trail riding. I saw, on the other hand, "victims" of a trainer who promoted primitive rope halters because "bits are bad"... stiff, uncontrollable animals. And saw lots of Western style trainers whose methods I found right out rude and cruel, with exercises you mention here. Back to the roots, to classic horse wisdom, learn, observe, try softly, train with your brain, that never hurts.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

"Train with your brain." I love that! The pendulum certainly seems to swing from on extremely to the other while the truth lies somewhere in between. Theres a lot of great pieces from both the english and western worlds we can bring together to better serve our horses. Appreciate you sharing your personal story.

[@theequestriandojo3768]

That crouching tiger thing LOL. I know exactly who does it and it's funny 'cause they're actually quite good but yeah. Time for a lot of this kinda stuff to go in the memory hole.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

My goal is definitely NOT to take away from anyone, especially where credit is due because theres some phenomenal horsemen and women out there that have done a lot of good for folks and their horses. My goal IS though to hopefully help bury some of the stuff that does not benefit the horses or people and bring to light some better approaches, or at least approaches I've found work better for the horses and people I've been able to help thus far.

[@gregevans1062]

Some good points 👍 well put

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Thank you

[@pamelachace3205]

Since I'm working with a 2 yr old, groundwork, I am guilty of most of it,, I feel the 'overbending' is a hot topic and def over used. Really appreciate your videos!

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

It all starts with awareness and we can fix it with action. Overbending is a huge issue, but good thing you're just getting started with your 2yo. Plenty of time to do things in a better way. Wish yall nothing but the best. Thanks for watching

[@carolynstewart8465]

Excellent explanation! ❤ thank you!

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Thank you

[@daledavis5254]

You’re going to get cancelled…lol! Nice explanation, this is one of the first videos of yours I’ve watched. I’ll definitely tune in for more because you really have it figured out.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

They can try but based on these comments there’s way more of us that agree these things are issues haha. Glad you found this video and glad to have you. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and watch, do really appreciate it

[@jackwalker7033]

​@@Coltonwoodshorsemanshipthis is the first video of yours that I've watched. I'll watch again. One thing these "clinicians" don't tell people is the feel that you need to know when to release, or when to add pressure. Everyone should spend some time with a real, reputable trainer that is trustworthy

[@ItzRandom14]

This is what a real cowboy looks like folks The horses health and care always comes first

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Real cowboys care and respect their horses deeply. The whole notion that its anyway else is wrong and those ideas arent cowboy ways of life or doing things at all.. Frankly a lot of it is from hollywood misrepresenting the way things really are. Appreciate you watching and taking the time to say this cause it just may help shed a better light on what it means to be cowboy. Thank you

[@michaelapost-stierle9017]

Great Video. But most Horsemanship-Trainers do exactly these terrible things 😮.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Thank you. It all starts with awareness then action. A lot of folks do, do these things and that’s why I want to build the awareness of why these are big issues & provide ways I’ve found that work better for me and my students. As an industry we can raise the standard by doing better. Together We Rise.

[@desertrat1822]

Great video, however, your statement about the Cavvy community being free to join is misleading. It looks like the 7 day trial is free then it's $49/mo, unless I misread that.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

I misspoke in the video but that’s why we added the text to the screen saying Free Trial to clarify. And we put in the text beside the link it’s a free trial. Didn’t mean for it to be misleading by any means. Frankly I wish it could be free but it’s what allows us to do these videos and all the resources and support we provide in the Cavvy for y’all.

[@DavidBorntrager-w4p]

Did you ever win any kind of show

[@debbieboston2377]

one clinition does a crabbing exercise. i never got it as it looks very predatory. agree with all you day. its common sense and good horsemanship

[@terryhey6730]

What the heck does "disengaging" even mean???? Seems to me what we want to ENGAGE the hindquarters

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Absolutely want to ENGAGE. Unfortunately there’s been such a focus on the disengagement that’s it’s been overdone at the expense of many horse’s physical well being.

[@hermgailey4802]

Bet you pissed off a lot of pig farmers !

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

I’m sure the guy who originally said that quote and travels the country saying it sure has.

[@hermgailey4802]

Hopefully not your main demographic anyway…

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

I’m here to say what needs to be said and back in up with real results. Anyone that’s mad about that isn’t my demographic to begin with. That being said- I do love pork 👌🏻

[@hermgailey4802]

Right on. Good to see someone with the honesty and guts to challenge the flawed conventional wisdom .Looking forward to more in the future.

[@lisabadger3399]

Are my ears and eyes deceiving me?? A cowboy who actually trains with with respect, knowledge of biomechanics, classical principles? No disrespect to western riders intended, but the discipline seemed to have been hijacked by huckster clinicians ever since Monty Robert's wrote that horse whisperer book decades ago. What makes me the most angry is how many naive people have been victim to gimmicky bad training by following NH cults. Watching your video was very refreshing, Colton. (From a classical rider and old school eventer).

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

Appreciate you taking the time to watch and share this. I'm just doing my best to address issues I believe are important for us to fix in this industry and sharing the ways I've found work best for myself, my horses and my students. Honestly, its much more the norm for cowboys to work with their horses in a respectful way that benefits the horse mentally, physically and emotionally. Certainly a couple bad actors have soaked up the spot light and got a lot of the attention but that shouldnt overshadow all the good ways of doing things cowboys and western riders do have to go about things. There is so much the western world can use to benefit their horses from the english world and theres a lot english riders can take from the western world to benefit their horses. All in all, together we rise! Thanks again for sharing and watching.

[@jobond3317]

Even before this video starts, I wonder if he knows about Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling and his work with dangerous stallions. He believes in a non-violent, peaceful approach. It would help if you watched him. Maybe you would learn something about yourself and horses

[@suezettehollinger9804]

agreed!!!!!

[@anne-grethemichaelsen5789]

Please don`t talk so fast :) Best regards from Norway

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

My wife wishes I wouldnt talk so fast either... I'll keep working on it haha

[@jordanwhite5470]

A better way to interest people in your methods would be to NOT spend your time mocking or calling out other trainers. There are many trainers with different methods than you who do a fine job with their horses. Sad. Unsubscribing now.

[@Coltonwoodshorsemanship]

This isn’t personal. This is about approaches that actually suit and benefit the horse mentally, physically and emotionally. It’s about what is being taught, not who is teaching it. We all do better when we know better and it’s important we call a spade a spade, and shit, shit. If someone wants to take it personally, as I say, if the shoe fits, where it, Cinderella. One our favorite rules around here comes from the book by Don Miguel Ruiz called The Four Agreements. And Rule #2 is Don’t Take Anything Personally. This is all about a better future for our industry, our horses and those of us in it. I don’t go after people for a reason, it’s not personal. But I will go after the issues. We need solutions to the issues and that’s where I’ve focused my efforts. If that’s not for anyone that watches these videos, I understand and good thing is there’s a lot of great horsemen and women out there to learn from. Different strokes for different folks and I certainly hope everyone finds the right mentor for them.

[@SouthWesternCowboys]

OMG. Are you serious?! You might as well train dogs- please…. Do us that favor….😂