Horsemanship South Africa

NHZA (Horsemanship South Africa) started out as what many people know as a Natural Horsemanship training centre teaching Silversand Horsemanship.  This term has been misused and misunderstood over the years and so a decision was made to drop the word "natural" from the title.  This also coincided with the decision to introduce more good horsemanship techniques that would fit with Silversand and thus take horse training and the understanding about how horses and people learn, into a whole new era.  These training methods basically use equine learning theory and how to use a horse's "natural behaviour" in order to train it.  

The main philosophy behind NHZA is that of Silversand (www.silversand.com.au) - which is that this is more about "who we need to become as people more than a method of training".  Those who undertake to train with us learn a lot about themselves and find that it is leadership, consistency and effectiveness from the human joined with balance, timing and feel to bring to the horse confidence, yielding and accurate patterns.  Most importantly, whether on the ground or under saddle, the trainer must be able to time all cues to the horse's feet as this is a very powerful tool in helping the horse recognise the human as a leader in which they can trust.

More recently NHZA has been working alongside one of Philippe Karl's trainee teachers to bring his principals of Classical training to RSA (www.philippekarl.com)  This, once the horse and human have a good understanding and know how to work together, is the icing on the cake.  For me Silversand and Monsieur Karl's methods are two parts of the same puzzle and belong together.  One naturally leads to the other and they compliment each other.  As soon as they are ready, the student and the horse should be focusing on this classical work as it is also another method of training and one that takes "all breeds of horses" into consideration.  It allows the horse to be the best he or she can possibly be regardless of breed, shape, size or conformation.  The idea is to help the horse be the best, most supple and athletic he can be in order to carry a human in a sustainable way that does no harm to his health and in a way that does not inflict pain upon him.  

NHZA is not just about swinging ropes, although as part of building confidence in a horse and to help the human improve their timing and co-ordination, this is helpful.  It is also about helping both students and horses being the best that they can be and reaching levels of horsemanship that maybe they previously thought were impossible.  Although students will ride on one rein and in a natural hackamore at first, this is mostly about helping them to understand the horse and to retrain them to a different way of working.  It also helps them develop a more independent seat and reduces the possibility that they will pull on the horse.  This is one of the main problems of horsemanship - that humans pull on horses - something horses never do to each other.  Pulling not only inflicts pain but it takes away the forwards - and this forwards is the horse's flight mechanism.  We can use this flight mechanism to our advantage but if we interfere with it in the wrong way, we actually create horses that run off, buck, rear, won't go forward or shut down.  As soon as possible, riders are encouraged to ride with a bit and bridle and to attend the Classical lessons and clinics that we are setting up around the country.  

For many students of horsemanship, they see the bit as something terrible.  However, if we understand that we want the horse to lick and chew, to mobilise his jaw in order to help him to think and free his feet (all of which are linked and one can not work with a horse without addressing the physical, mental and emotional all at the same time)... then the best way to do this and to be able to continually help the horse relax, think and learn - is via the bit.  By asking students to study the work of Monsieur Karl, the bit can be introduced and used in a way that is pain free and helpful to the suppleness of the horse - a suppleness that is physical, mental and emotional.  The bit work is taught so that it influences the corners of the horse's lips and the hands are used in an upward and not pulling back action. 

By following the training from start to finish, students and horses can go to the highest levels and many can do things that they may have been told were impossible for them.  Students learn to be independent and gain confidence and dedicated students are encouraged to join the Comfort Zone support group that we run from NHZA which allows unlimited e-mail support direct from me.  It also includes putting out regular newsletters both by e-mail and post, the latter of which usually includes inspirational and/or educational DVD's.

I only teach students with their own horses and travel all over RSA to do this.  I have also taught in Germany recently and have given private lessons in Australia and the UK during visits there.  Students can come for private lessons or study breaks to the centre in Robertson and we encourage and welcome students to the centre in order to find out more about what this kind of training involves.  I offer demo mornings to anyone who is interested where visitors can ask as many questions as they like and they have the opportunity to watch some inspirational DVD's.    I take on problem horses and young horses although the owner must be committed to change also - the horse is easy but the human is not and this brings us back again to the philosophy that this kind of work is far more about "who we need to become than a method of training".  I do not therefore do take on every student who enquires and I only start young horses for those committed to continuing this way of training.

I regularly bring in overseas trainers and organise their tours - the latest ones being with one of Philippe Karl's trainee instructors - she completes her exams in March this year.  His Classical Training is a revolution at the current time and is causing great discussions within the FEI and across Europe and he is one of the few people to really be standing up for quality training.  Apart from introducing his work via his trainee instructor and encouraging students to use this in their training progress (as outlined above) I am working on trying to get a Philippe Karl teacher's course running in RSA so that we have qualified instructors here to teach it.  Anyone who currently teaches, whether full or part time and who has a passion for making a difference, is invited to apply.  They can contact me for more details on what this entails at benatural@natuaralhorsemanship.co.za.  I have also applied to take part.  If this happens, then it is likely that it will take place in the Western Cape.  Should our regular instructor, Veronika Bühn (www.prohorse.org) pass her exams in March 2010, then she will commit to coming to RSA to support us approximately every two months and she teaches in W Cape, Natal and Gauteng.  Her latest clinics were in Natal and Pretoria in January.  This will keep the potential teachers and other students progressing forward over the next few years.  The teacher course itself would be a 3 year training course with certification at the end of it.

With regard to Silversand horsemanship, I am able to certify students in Foundations 1-3 and Advancing 1 and I have a number of students who are starting to go out and teach/support others and who are supported by NHZA.  This is because there are currently no plans to increase Silversand Associate numbers.  These students are approved by me but must send all their students training DVD's to me for assessment or must present them "live".  These teachers will regularly meet (as from this year) to update their training and work with young horses/problem horses/foals and so on.  The first clinic of this kind will be in Natal in May.  

NHZA are also starting to run courses in combination with "Horseplay" Natal (www.horseplay.co.za) - courses that work on developing human self confidence so that they are able to become better and more consistent leaders for their horses.  This involves both human and horse psychology and includes professionals from both fields.  Students can attend from anywhere within South Africa or from other countries if they wish.  

NHZA supplies equipment and DVD's from Silversand (Foundations 1-3, Advancing 1, Footfalls and The Start), the Philippe Karl DVD's (1-3) and his book "The Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage".  We encourage and support those who think in a like minded way and whose methods compliment those that we teach.  We also run related courses such as those in Alexander Technique, Equine Podiatry (in particular working with Jayne Hunt www.healthyhooves.co.uk), Equine Massage and so on and we always seek to run them with teachers who are specialists in their area.    

The horses here live without rugs or shoes in a stimulating environment and on a diet that seeks to work nutritionally in harmony with their digestive systems keeping them functioning as they would in their natural environment.  The problem is that the horse's digestive system has never really become suited to a domestic environment which is why people so often see colics and other problems.  Often these problems arise because the horse is stabled or without access to sufficient or regular grazing.  The NHZA horses live in herds that are a mixture which includes American QH's, American paints that I have bred, SA Boerperd, Mini and student/guest horses.  I have recently bought a Warlander - a new breed to RSA and I believe she is the second filly to be born in the country.  The Warlander is an Andalusian x Friesian (Friesian mare/Andalusian stallion).  I regularly travel to the stud (Kilgobbin a "natural stud" in Natal) where she was born to teach, train, work the young horses and help train the foals (info@horseplay.co.za).  I am happy to work with all breeds of horses - some of these have included Arabs, TB's, Friesians and Saddlers.  Many come to NHZA because of a bad start in their past and who are worried/scared horses with owners struggling to understand their horse.  However, increasingly people are looking to use this kind of horsemanship to build a better relationship because they see that it works, not just because they have a problem that needs fixing.  

We feel that we have something to offer everyone from every discipline and all horses of all breeds.

As most of you know I cover the whole of the country teaching and  I try to run clinics where possible to get students going.  I run a support group for the Silversand Training Methods that I teach called the Comfort Zone. It is for those who are committed to learning and who want more input, support  and study material.  I am currently the only Silversand Associate Instructor in RSA.  I am still doing training around RSA and will continue to support all committed students, however, the wave of interest is gathering momentum and it is not always possible to be everywhere at once, especially as I also need to continue studying and improving my skills so that I can bring you more ways to improve your understanding of the horse. This from time to time takes me overseas.

I have been hoping that we might see more Associates here in RSA but so far this has not happened and it does not look likely to happen in the near future.  Silversand are not planning to take on more Associates at this time, but they are busy working out a structured way forward for the programme.  They have also decided not to take on working students as they did - so looking at committed students for the future is not easy and a way forward needs to be found. This might take some time, but they are working on it.

I personally have an apprentice programme running in the hope that we will get more knowledgeable people out there helping and that they will be able to continue teaching and developing horsemanship skills and will be able to support the increasing number of students interested in learning this way of working with horses.  This is still in its early days, of course, but there are competent students out there with good horsemanship skills who are able to help and support others.  While they are not Silversand Associates, they are committed to studying with NHZA and I am actively encouraging them and supporting them to keep improving their skills and to remain consistent in their quality of work.  

I am encouraging them to help students and certainly Silversand are also happy for them to help those that I can not get to - I just can not divide myself into so many parts!  For anyone wishing to be assessed in their Silversand Horsemanship Skills - they can still send their skills to me by video or they can have assessments live when I am in the area.  Those who are helping others are not able to do these assessments as they are not endorsed by Silversand but I am confident in their ability, with my support, to help those I can not always get to.

I have listed these students below along with their current level of horsemanship and related skills and training.  I have also outlined in what areas they should be able to help you develop and where their specialities lie.  Please contact them direct if you wish to talk to them about how they can help you and they will also be able to let you know when I am in the area or running clinics and they will be able to give you information about the Comfort Zone and also when there are visiting instructors or developmental courses running around the country.  

These students operate independently from Silversand and NHZA and run businesses in their own right, although they are committed to studying Silversand Horsemanship and assisting and supporting NHZA.  As they run their own businesses, they charge according to their skill level, knowledge and experience and this is not controlled by NHZA or anything to do with NHZA or Silversand.  Where they travel out to students there may may be a travel fee.

As standards must be maintained along with consistency, those who I am happy to support you when I am not able to be everywhere at once have:

1 Either been studying with me for a number of years and/or

2 Have proved their dedication to this way of horsemanship and to working with the Silversand training methods and/or

3 They have exceptional skills even if they have been studying only a short time and are already working professionally with horses unrelated to NHZA or Silversand and/or

4 Their passion and belief are very much in line with the NHZA way of thinking and working and/or

5 Because of "who they are" and "who they have become" and what they have learnt on their journey so far

All of these people are dedicated to continuing their studies and will meet all together once a year in order to enhance their skills during some intensive training time with me.  They are committed to continue their studies and work with me regularly as well as progressing and developing themselves on their own.  They have something special to offer and often their skills are much better than they themselves are prepared to admit!

Gauteng:

Cindy Werner - Harmony Stables (Excellent Afrikaans and English) - all levels welcome, adults and children

 

Phone: 012 811 1247
Cell: 082 564 9617
E-mail:  harmonyw@telkomsa.net (intermittent) 

Cindy runs a riding school and has done so for many years.  She is qualified under SANEF as a Level 5 instructor and specialises in jumping and confidence building.  Silversand Foundation Skills 1&2.  She also has a huge amount of experience with both adults and children and is happy to work with all horses including stallions.  She also has a special passion for working with kids who have low self-esteem.   

She organises and hosts clinics for NHZA and other trainers that we bring out to RSA and she is willing to travel out to students where possible.  Cindy is committed to furthering her studies and has applied for the Philippe Karl teacher's course that we hope will run in RSA if there is enough interest.  She is studying Silversand horsemanship seriously and attending the Philippe Karl trainee instructor clinics with Veronika B�hn being run in RSA.  She regularly studies with NHZA and has committed to an intensive study period each year with NHZA which covers young horses/challenging horses/personal development and so on.  Comfort Zone Member.

For Cindy, horsemanship is not just about riding, it's about quality time with the horse and taking responsibility.  Cindy is pictured above with her stallion "Illusion".  

Kaye Stevenson - Silversand Advancing Skills 1

Kaye is not currently teaching at the moment due to business commitments but she hopes that some time in the near future she might get back to it.  The reason I mention her here is that she has helped a number of students and shows extraordinary dedication to her horsemanship journey.  She has acquired many skills and despite being busy she often helps me when I am running a clinic in the Gauteng area, so it is important that you know her name.  Also, I don't want her to be forgotten, as at some time in the future I hope we will be seeing more of her.  She has her own young horse (Beaver) that she is working with and has attended all the Silversand clinics run in RSA as well as travelling to attend Silversand camps in Australia.  Comfort Zone member

Western Cape:

Tamasine Smith - NHZA Centre, Robertson - Silversand Associate: Adults and young adults - English only

 

E-mail:  benatural@naturalhorsemanship.co.za

Website:  www.nhza.com (to be majorly revised as soon as we relocate - plans are to be nearer Worcester)

Yes, that's me! Teaching Silversand for 6 years and working with horses for over 20, the last 10 in various horsemanship programmes.  Participating in the Classical Dressage clinics around RSA with Veronika B�hn and applying for the Philippe Karl teacher's course in the hope we can run one in RSA.  Organiser and host of various courses, clinics and visiting overseas instructors that are in tune with the general horsemanship philosophy and development of equine learning theory.  Travelling to study with other trainers in various parts of the world and committed to an ongoing study of horses, horsemanship and the psychology of both horse and human.  Run The Comfort Zone support group with regular newsletters, educational and inspirational DVD's to help students add knowledge on to their Silversand and other horsemanship studies and offer unlimited e-mail support to all members. Supplier of Silversand equipment and DVD's.

I work with all horses including young horses and problem horses, adult and young adult students and travel RSA and further afield to teach.  I only start young horses for those students committed to this way of studying horsemanship and only start them at the NHZA centre unless the work is at a regular location such as a stud committed to this kind of training.  I will also only work with students who understand that this is more about them than the horse and who are willing to attend lessons/clinics with their own horse.  I do not work with horses unless the owner/rider is an active participant.  This is a method of training, not a discipline and students of all disciplines are welcome as it is possible to build on their particular requests and work with them - from dressage riders, western riders, jumpers, endurance riders and carriage drivers etc.

Sonja Nelson - Malmesbury (Excellent Afrikaans and English) - Silversand Foundations 1, 2 & 3

Cell: 083 235 3312
E-mail:  sonja@swartlandpale.co.za

Sonja Nelson is 31 years old and started her horse journey simultaneously with her "natural horsemanship" journey just over 3 years ago.  Sonja is pictured above at NHZA with one of her horses - Harley.  
 

She says: "Having had some difficult horses and becoming impatient with the system I stopped for a year before coming crawling back�  What NH has tought me most is �WHO WE NEED TO BECOME� for our horses.  It has been very special seeing the changes in horses that are trained by this kind of horsemanship, sometimes the horses have been further ahead than the students and sometimes visa versa - it has been an incredible journey to see how we as humans grow and change in our understanding, in our relationships, in our emotions and so on.  It sure is much more than just a method of training as it is for us humans as well as the horse!  The horses respond and respect us even more because of it.  

I have learnt a lot about horse behaviour, horse psychology, about their incredible willingness and about the awesome feeling when a horse starts to trust.  I have learnt about rewarding the try at the right time and what that means to the horse.  I�ve learnt about letting go and about not pushing or pressuring ourselves - yet at the same time, stepping up when needed.  It�s a constant learning process and most importantly we must remain humble throughout the process!" 

Sonja says that this kind of horsemanship is a must for everyone no matter what their interest or discipline with horses.  She especially feels that this work should be done with every young un-started horse and that it can be applied to dressage, jumping, western, carriage driving, endurance and so on. 

Sonja runs a "natural livery yard" where most people are NH orientated although she has a few conventional clients also.  However, it is a nurturing environment where the horses are happy and live out and owners will not feel inhibited by studying what some people out there consider a bit of a strange way with horses!  

Sonja says: "With running a livery yard comes added responsibility and even more learning on a daily basis from our equine friends.  I am interested in teaching and helping others as I think there is such a big desire out there to do something different, something kinder and often people don�t get the opportunity due to finances, distance, time constraints or lack of trainers.  I have been busy study buddying with a number of students already and helping them with their Foundation Skills and it�s great so see people improving their skills, seeing the horses change, getting people to experience the first �Aha moments� and beeing priviledged to be in contact with these amazing creatures.  I would love to get more into young horse starting as my experience and skills grow and already I am helping a number of youngsters and more challenging horse characters which in turn, teaches me a huge amount!"  Comfort Zone member

Natal

Carl Bronner - Horseplay - Kilgobbin Stud, Dargle, Natal: Corporate Courses/Stud/Speedi-beet Agent

 

Phone: 033 234 4327
Cell: 082 807 7772
E-mail:  info@horseplay.co.za

Carl has been running her Horseplay courses for the corporate market for the last 5 years.  The idea is to explore the connection between horses and humans and Carl says that Ray Hunt's words explain it best "you are not working on your horse, you are working on yourself".  

She also helps to organise, host and assist at South African Trec events (www.trec-sa.co.za) a non discipline-specific horse sport that covers many of the skills that we should be using all the time.  The emphasis is on having fun with your horse and is made up of three phases all designed to test a horse and rider through various situations or challenges that one might find whilst out riding.  She is an agent for Speedibeet and Fibrebeet horse feed products (www.speedi-beetsa.co.za) which she feeds to her own horses and she runs Kilgobbin Stud breeding Friesians, Friesian crosses and Warlanders.  She often has up to 50 or more horses on her farm at any one time and uses Silversand horsemanship to work with all of them including all the early handling of her foals and young stock.

Carl has a great in depth knowledge of horsemanship and has been supporting and promoting Silversand and NHZA for many years.  In fact, she thoroughly researches and studies all in which she specialises and although she does not teach - she is happy to share her knowledge in the areas of her passion - the breeding of her horses and the way they are trained, feeding all horses for their best performance/growth and health and Trec.  There are very few, if any, studs working in the way Carl does and I would have no hesitation in recommending the horses she breeds to potential buyers.  Silversand Skills 1, 2 & 3.  Comfort Zone member

Foal Training

Young horse starting - 3 YO on his first ride

Same 3 YO during training and starting

Warlander Filly

Horses living in herds of different age groups

Apprentice Training

Training clinics organised around RSA

Young horse starting... mental stimulation (3 YO doing this for the first time)

All aspects of training and all disciplines prepared for...

Lesson in trailer loading

Lessons in confidence building

Equine Stretch/massage courses are hosted/promoted... regular physio given by professionals

Outrides... Young horse training... student teacher Sonja assisting on a mature older horse

Assistant trainer Sonja Nelson helping and studying during Young Horse starting...

Young horse confidence building

Confidence building - water crossing