o What: Natural Horse Training.
o When: 11 a.m. Aug. 14 and 28; and Sept. 11 and 25.
o Where: Lucky K Stable, 16818 N.E. 223rd Circle, Battle Ground.
o Cost: Free to watch; $5 arena fee with horse; $20 to join group, $10 for additional family members.
o Information: Marilyn Solari, 503-819-6779; or http://horses.meetup.com/258.
The best way to train a horse is to think like one, so says a small group of horse enthusiasts that meets twice a month in Battle Ground.
The group uses a training method that is more about getting into a horse’s head than using intimidation or force, group founder Marilyn Solari said.
“Horses are such worriers,” Solari said during a June session.
Owners communicate with horses as the animals do with each other. A gentle press against the horse warns it to back off. If it doesn’t get the picture, the trainers will slowly increase the force until the animal does. The key is to refrain from hitting the horse and letting emotions control actions, Solari said.
o What: Natural Horse Training.
o When: 11 a.m. Aug. 14 and 28; and Sept. 11 and 25.
o Where: Lucky K Stable, 16818 N.E. 223rd Circle, Battle Ground.
o Cost: Free to watch; $5 arena fee with horse; $20 to join group, $10 for additional family members.
o Information: Marilyn Solari, 503-819-6779; or http://horses.meetup.com/258.
“The horse goes, ‘Wow, you speak horse. That’s amazing,’” said Laura Quigley, who has been using the method for three years. Quigley, of Portland, is also a member of the band Misty River.
The natural training method also helps build a relationship with the animals, Solari said.
“I’ve seen mental, emotional, spiritual growth and connections from using the method,” Quigley said. “Being more aware of horses has taught me to be more aware of people.”
Group member Suzanne Babcock started training her 6-year-old mare, Spring, through natural horsemanship a few years back and said it “totally changed her.”
“She tried to kick me every time she could,” Babcock said. “Now she’s a friend.”
The group also spends a fair amount of time exposing horses to strange objects and obstacles in a controlled environment to prevent them from spooking when they run into them during a ride, Solari said.
“When they get spooked on a trail, they realize its not going to kill them because they’ve been startled before,” Solari said. That’s important, because spooking can be an issue for horses.
Solari started the group to meet with and learn from other natural trainers in the area.
