The Best of Natural Horsemanship
A little of what I've done. A little about how I train.
I enjoy the natural horsemanship training.  I've watch Clinton Anderson extensively.  I've also watch a little John Lyons and Patt Parelli.  Some of it I agree with and some I don't. So what I've done is take all that I like and put it together, and though out what I don't. 
I believe highly in respect on the ground.  If you dont have it on the ground your not going to have it in the saddle.  I do quite a bit of ground work, mainly longing and suppling exercises.
Once the horse is respectful on the ground and is soft I introduce the saddle and go through all the previous work again.  Then again with the bridle.  I usually train in a side-pull.  This puts a little less stress on the horses mind and mouth.  Once I feel I have total control on the ground I'll get on.  Then go through all the suppling exercises again.  I do this every time I work with the horse.  I start a horse slowly.  There's no rush to canter, thats when you loose control and training.  I make sure I have total control of the whole horse at a walk before I move up to a trot. Then total control at a trot before the canter.  I want a horse to be soft and light in the bridle and moves off leg pressure.
I started trainging my own horses in 1999.  My first project was a 8 yr. old run away gelding. This horse taught me alot of patients.  We had out ups and downs but when I was able to ride him on a loose rein and go trough all the gaits, it was the best feeling ever.  To know I taught him how to do this all by hyself.  Two years later I sold him to get a new project.  I wanted to start one from the beginning.
I bought Shadows Boston Hagard in August 2002.  He had no prier work done with him.  I did a little ground work then got on.  He didn't even flinch.  He's now my All-Around horse that I can do anything with.  Shortly after starting "Boston" my parents bought a 3 yr old Welara mare that had been raised by kids.  She had awful ground manners.  A lot of ground work was needed and after about 2 weeks I got on.  I showed her in the 4-H Green Horse Project and took home two reserves and a grand.  The winter of 2002 was when I started training for other people.  I started two that winter.  The next summer I worked on finishing the horse I had started that winter.  Winter of 2003 I started two more for the same people I had worked for the winter before.  Th spring of 2004 I started a filly for a neighbor in exchange he let me use her for 4-H.  He later exchanged her with me in return that I finish our two of the filly's siblings.  The fully sister and half brother were my projects for the winter 2004.  In the summer of 2004 another neighbor wanted me to get his mare under saddle so he could ride her when he went hunting.  He had used her for packing so she was use to a saddle and carring weight.  I enjoy training and am always taking new ones in.
3 yr. old filly under saddle 3 months under saddle and giving to the bit, breaking at the poll. Read more on SUPPLING.
6 yr. old gelding 2nd year under saddle.  His first year he was a gaming horse.  He's on the bit and extending nicely.
Both of these are the first ride for the 3 yr old filly's. Both are demonstrating FLEXING.  This is an early step in teaching them to give to pressure.
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