PLEASE NOTE: No Videography or Photography may be taken during Ben's Clinics to respect his cultural tradition. Thanks!

About Ben Girod

Ben Girod is a Natural Horsemanship Trainer from an Amish Community in Salem, Indiana. Upon graduation from the eighth grade, members of his community choose an occupation and begin the study of their profession. Reading and attending various equine events provided an early basis for learning; but the long days of working horses on the ground and under saddle, studying their behavior and understanding how they learn has become the base for his training methods.

Horse Psychology is fundamental in understanding how training must be established. Ben enjoys working with horses of all breeds and ages and with any level of training in any discipline. After training hundreds of horses at his farm in the past few years and conducting clinics and learning sessions with those horses' owners, he recognizes that training must not stop with the training of the horse. Each horse presents its own challenges and opportunities for learning and each owner must learn how to communicate with their individual horse.

His personal interest in disciplines spans the spectrum from driving to dressage to reining yet he believes all training starts with the same basics—a foundation in Natural Horsemanship which is where he believes every horse must begin learning and is the basis for the following thoughts he would like to share with you.


Ben Girod's Training Barn, Salem, Indiana

METHODS of Natural Horsemanship

By Ben Girod

Communication

Humans have various languages around the world, but horses communicate with one exact language. To be successful in training any discipline, it is essential to first learn how to communicate your ideas effectively, therefore, to learn the language that horses understand. To observe horses in nature, one would witness an order of dominance established and maintained amongst the herd. To be successful in your training, you must teach in the same methods that horses apply towards each other and establish that role as the leader. Once this has been established, your horse will look to you for direction and security.

Specific & Clear Cues

Horses are more responsive and willing to accept leadership if we are specific and clear. It is important to be aware of what our body is telling the horse, whether leading, entering a stall, riding, or loading into a trailer. Horses use their senses to determine their reaction in their environment. Horses will "try" various things as they attempt to figure out what the other horses in the herd will allow. When horses are certain of the responses, they will proceed with what is "allowed". This method of teaching includes an "approach" and "retreat" fashion which helps horses to respond in a more positive manner because of how they naturally learn.

Adjustment

Horses are typically creatures of habit. It is important to allow an adjustment period when putting a horse in training or transporting him to a different barn. He must have an opportunity to allow his instincts to reach and reason through what he sees and smells in his new surroundings. Horses will respond more effectively in training if they are given time to experience their new environment.

Individualism

When issues arrive in Horsemanship, they should be approached as an individual scenario and not treated as something that is repeatedly rehearsed. Training methods must be assessed and applied for that individual horse. Adapting to a horse’s individual problem as it arises becomes a priority so the horseman does not expect an educated answer from an uneducated horse. This also holds true as a teacher of student riders. The instructor must adjust to the mental and physical ability of each student.

Open-Minded Approach

Natural Horsemanship and Horse Psychology work hand in hand in all of our training methods. It is important when teaching a young horse, or correcting a mature horse, that it should be done with an open-mind. When you choose a method, it is essential to view it from different angles so you feel comfortable with implementing that approach.

Respect

Your horse must learn to respect and trust you before any training can begin. All horses will benefit from learning proper groundwork to establish a basis of how future communication between horse and rider will develop in the specific disciplines. Whether you ride dressage, western, cutting, or trail, the basics of training apply towards all disciplines from the ground first. The goal is to create a respectful and well controlled horse on the ground. If your horse shows negative behavior or bold, aggressive traits on the ground, it will generally get worse under saddle. The better your relationship is on the ground, the safer it will be under saddle.

Trust

The most important goal in Horsemanship is to develop a trustful relationship with your horse. You must work in a manner of partnership with you being the leader and making the decisions as you deem safe for your horse. Over time, your horse will recognize that you will keep him safe and that he can rely upon you in all circumstances.

Consistency

Being repetitive will help perfect and advance your horse skills and further progress your confidence in whichever discipline you choose to ride a mannered horse. Using a positive and confident manner will help express your training method. Patience and consistency with your cues, while making sure you give your horse plenty of time to give the correct answer is the key to developing a safe and responsive equine partner. Your communication needs to be consistent throughout the training process to keep the trust and respect strong between you and your horse, continually moving forward in Natural Horsemanship.


Clinic Information

Ben Girod conducts clinics each month on varying weekends thoughout Central and Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky to work with horse owners and their horses.

For Clinic Participants:
Lesson Times typically fill fast once a clinic date is set. Private lessons are generally 1 1/2 hours in duration and consist of either Ben working with your horse and/or Ben teaching you to learn skills to train your own horse--use your time as you wish. Group lessons are also available if you would like to bring a friend. Private lesson costs with Ben Girod are $40 per 1 1/2 hour time slot. Group lesson rates vary, but are typically $45-$50 per person for a 3 hour time slot. Charges may vary based upon clinic location.

For Auditors:
If you would like to attend the clinic to watch and learn from others, you are welcome. Auditors attend free of charge. Some participants will work their horses solely on groundwork where others will be addressing specific training issues. Some have taken many lessons with Ben others are working with him for the first time.

Amish Homemade Baked Goods made to order by Ben's wife, Martha, are available upon request.