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"There is a lot of misinformation out there, training methods that are inconsistent with Natural Horsemanship.
Natural Horsemanship is a PRINCIPLE based approach, you have to put the horse and his needs first. Getting the desired result in your training isn't good enough, you have to achieve the desired result WHILE keeping the horse with you in a COLLECTED MENTAL STATE. That's where TRUE collection comes from, the horses mind, it's not the head set or the topline, it's between the ears! |
| "A Natural Horseman makes his idea the horse's idea but you can only do that if you have an understanding of what the horse's idea is likely to be in the first place."
Kirk is the first to admit he didn't invent any of the ideas or methods that he uses and teaches. "Natural Horsemanship has literally been around for thousands of years, it's so old it's new again." He has learned and gleaned from modern Natural Horseman such as Buck Brannaman, Tom and Bill Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Pat Parelli, Clinton Anderson, John Lyons, Paul Daily and many others. "I'm to the point now where I don't hesitate to see what someone else has to offer. I feel comfortable enough in my experience to be able to read, watch or audit anyone else who's working with horses and see what I might be able to learn from them. I pick and choose what I think might be helpful and will be willing to give something a try as long as it's consistent with the principles of Natural Horsemanship." |
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"I really enjoy teaching people, I feel like I can help more horses by teaching people than I can by teaching horses. There is nothing like seeing a horse/human pair learning together and forming a partnership.
They show up on the first day and you're not sure who's leading who, the owners frustrated, embarrassed, maybe a little upset, the horse is scared, confused, or still in the trailer. And at the end of the weekend they go home and tell their friends you won't believe what me and my horse can do!! That is the best part. I really try to keep my clinics fun and relaxed, if we can keep a positive attitude and enjoy ourselves our horses are likely to have more fun too." Because of this wide variety of influences, Kirk has adapted a system that may blend aspects of several clinicians but is presented with a style that is all his own. |