Natural Horsemanship

Understanding the Equine Drive Line

Updated:

August 11, 2019

Equine Drive Line, horse drive line, Jonathan Field, anatomy of horse round pen, round pen liberty lesson tips, natural horsemanship

What is the drive line? In this excerpt from my book, I will explore the drive line and how important it is for you to understand where it is on the horse’s anatomy and how the horse responds to it when working at liberty, or when the horse is loose in the round pen.

Build Your Horse’s Confidence - Part 2

Updated:

July 20, 2019

Build Your Horse’s Confidence with jonathan field, natural horsemanship, exercises with horses, jonathan field dragging a log, horse confidence

Build Your Horse's Confidence - In the previous article Build Your Horse's Confidence Part 1, I demonstrated how to build confidence around a horse’s personal space bubble by dragging a post with my new seven-year-old Canadian Warmblood named Bellagio, or “Geo.”

Build Your Horse’s Confidence - Part 1

Updated:

July 19, 2019

horse groundwork, Build Your Horse’s Confidence with jonathan field, natural horsemanship, exercises with horses, jonathan field dragging a log, horse confidence

Dragging a Log - Helping horses build their confidence in unique ways can prepare them for the unexpected. At any age or with any discipline, I encourage riders to find ways to challenge themselves and their horses by trying new things and teaching them that they can trust you when they feel worried. I see so many horses that are incredibly sheltered by their owners and, as a result, become so fragile that any little thing causes them too much anxiety.

The Comfy Canter

Updated:

June 14, 2019

Jonathan Field, comfortable canter, training horse canter, canter length, natural horsemanship

Have you ever watched someone riding along on a nice, relaxed, rocking-horse canter and dreamed of one day having your horse canter like that? It’s happened to me. The image of seeing this “dream canter” for the first time remains clear in my mind to this day.

Ride Better With One Rein Riding

Updated:

June 12, 2019

jonathan field, one rein riding for horses, bridleless, halter riding for horses, natural horsemanship, horse obstacle, bridleless canter for horses, bridleless trot for horses, bridleless walk for horses

One rein riding is simply riding your horse without a bridle, using instead a regular halter and lead, with the lead as your single rein. It’s a simple tack change, but a great way to brush up on the basics with all levels of horses. It will very quickly reveal to you how well started your horse really is.

Riding to Relaxation

Updated:

May 31, 2019

Jonathan Field, herd bound horse, horse training, natural horsemanship, actively helping your horse become calm and relaxed

There are some important concepts to understand when actively helping your horse to become calm and relaxed under your leadership. To actively change behaviour in your horse is to be a part of the process and requires all of your attention with an attitude of empathy towards what your horse is going through.

Riding with Purpose

Updated:

May 7, 2019

Jonathan Field, natural horsemanship, horse riding with purpose, exercises for horses, objectives riding horses, moving cattle horses working cows

There is nothing more fun and productive for me and my horses than when we have a real purpose. Whether it is gathering the cows, jumping a log, or climbing a mountain, it is an opportunity for us to do something together.

Restarting Halo, Part 3: Heading Towards Success

Updated:

March 20, 2019

Horsemanship Horse Training, restarting horse training, jonathan field, training young horse, training horses around cows

In this series we’ve observed how my program has broadened the foundation of Halo, who had a seemingly unpredictable tendency to buck, and has developed his trust in me. After groundwork sessions, we saddled Halo and took him through his first ride with me, followed by several rides in the arena and around my ranch in Abbotsford, BC.

Restarting Halo, Part 2

Updated:

March 20, 2019

desensitizing the horse, Horsemanship Horse Training, restarting horse training, jonathan field, training young horse, equine neutral Lateral Bends, Disengaging the horse Hindquarters, Mounting horse from Both Sides

Although Halo had been ridden in the past, his bucking indicated that perhaps something was missing in his training or that there was a possible physical problem. After examining Halo for physical reasons behind his bucking and not finding any, the best approach for Halo was to begin with a “fresh start” and develop a solid base.

Restarting Halo - Part 1

Updated:

March 20, 2019

desensitizing the horse, Horsemanship Horse Training, restarting horse training, jonathan field, training young horse

Halo is a sleeper. When I first met him, I was told that he was a really calm, cool guy. Only one problem: every once in a while, out of what seemed like nowhere, he’d buck and he’d buck hard. As I got started with Halo, it became very apparent to me that while he had been ridden for some time now, he would need to be essentially restarted under saddle.