Hi Gail, > The fundamental flaw of Natural Horsemanship (in my humble opionion) is > that it uses movement as punishment.
I think any form of training can be bad if the person using it doesn't understand what they are doing. John Lyons often says in order to train the horse, you have to get him moving. I've heard that sentiment from other guru's as well. But that can be mis-interpreted and taken to extremes in the wrong hands, beyond what the clincian ever intended. Just like I've seen supposed "Parelli people" circling their horses endlessly and monotonously. I do not think this is what Parelli had in mind. . . . But there's someone out there saying what they are doing is "Parelli" and people watching will assume it is. >Once YOU are safe, classical training and gait training for these guys is all they need.< Just a caveat here: Beyond cues for which gait when, Icelandics, IF naturally gaited, do not need any training to gait. I am hoping that is what you meant. A lot of damage to a lot of horses (Tivar comes immediately to mind) has been done in the name of "gait training". -- Renee M. in Michigan
