In addition to working regularly with Freedom, Emma also teaches non-traditional horsemanship and the techniques she employs in Freedom’s training to interested students.  Young equine lover Benah sought out Emma as a horsemanship teacher after learning of her techniques from a friend and following her own disappointment with traditional horse riding lessons.

Even at her young age, Benah realized the horsemanship techniques she was being taught in her riding lessons just didn’t feel right to her.  She did not want to inflict any pain on these beautiful animals, yet was instructed to use force applied with the bit, the reins, her feet and legs, and the whip to control the horse.  She couldn’t bring herself to use these pain-driven techniques to get the horse to follow her lead, so quit the lessons and gave up the idea of learning to ride.

When Benah first started her lessons with Emma last Fall, Emma was using training techniques with Freedom that she had learned in her own natural horsemanship training.  In this first video clip, Emma is teaching Benah how to establish her leadership role with Freedom and maintain control of the grooming using some natural horsemanship techniques. 

Emma instructs Benah in the use of the rope halter attached with a lead.  While not painful like a bit, the rope halter has knots on either side that, when exercised, put pressure on Freedom’s cheek.  Freedom follows Benah’s direction to “back up” due to this pressure.  Benah also lets Freedom know it’s not okay to push her around and she must have Freedom’s complete attention before leading her from the barn.

The second video clip is a continuation outside of the training session started in the barn using natural horsemanship techniques.  Emma is teaching Benah how to get Freedom’s attention and follow her direction even when Freedom really would prefer to graze and just do her own thing.

Using the lead as an extension of her arm, Emma shows Benah how to encourage Freedom to keep her attention on Benah with the driving of the lead at Freedom’s hind quarters.  Benah is a quick learner and is obviously pleased when Freedom responds appropriately without Benah having to cause her any pain.

This third video clip was captured this winter after Freedom had moved to her new, more open stable, and Emma had begun to follow horsemanship techniques involving no force, not even with the use of the rope halter or lead driving.  The entire relationship between human and horse had now become voluntary with Freedom choosing to interact with Emma and Benah.  Emma is teaching Benah companion walking with Freedom without using any force.

At the start of the clip, Emma is using a cordeo with Freedom – a very loose rope that is draped around Freedom’s chest as a guide for Freedom to “hear” what Emma wants her to do.  There is no force, no pressure.  When Benah tries to put the cordeo on Freedom, Freedom refuses. As a result, and based on Emma’s new, no-force approach to horse training, the cordeo is not used.  Freedom gets to decide to companion walk with Benah because she wants to, not because she is asked with the cordeo. 

It was wonderful to watch Emma, Benah, and Freedom as I was capturing this footage.  Emma works with Benah in the same way she works with Freedom – with loving patience.  Benah establishes a relationship with Freedom that is based on love not fear.  Freedom enjoys the companionship and loving attention from her human friends.  Most importantly, seeing these very young people working with Freedom made me realize how readily our children can recognize force and pain with these intelligent, spirited animals – and choose not to participate in it.