Robert Redford portrayed the horse whisperer in a 1998 movie of the same name.
Conversations between horse trainers and those who are not in the business now frequently begin with the question, "Are you a horse whisperer?" Having been asked that question myself quite a few times recently it seems a good time to define the term for those who are interested.
The term horse whisperer in 2010 is really just a generic term used to describe many folks who train horses for themselves or as equine professionals.
Decades ago using horses were "broke," which back then often meant literally.
At the end of the 19th century and into the early decades of the 20th, stock horses were born and grew up on wide open ranges, frequently not being handled until they were nearly mature at somewhere between three and five years of age.
Accepted Death Loss In those earlier days the number of horses was large and the cost to raise them very small.
When the cowboys brought in several hundred to buck out and break it was accepted than many would not survive the ordeal.
Broken legs and broken necks were not uncommon and the horses either gave in or gave out.
Thankfully, horses are very seldom 'broke' anymore.
Instead horses are now trained to be in a leader/follower relationship with a person.
The cost to raise a horse today is significant and it would be foolish indeed to plan for a significant percentage of horses to die in training.
Horses Have Feelingsand Value Besides the economic loss associated with horses sacrificed in the training process, we just don't consider them disposable creatures anymore.
Horses have lived in both the dreams and backyards of children for more than fifty years since cowboys first appeared on the silver screen.
Today, the fastest growing segment of the horse business is folks over fifty either returning to the equine dreams of their youth or making the investment for the first time as family and employment responsibilities wind down.
Thanks to the cowboys and horses of both television and movie fame, the horse has gained status as a companion animal as well as a working partner.
The Modern Horse Trainer Every modern horse trainer worth their salt uses relationship as a basis for educating and developing the horses in their care.
Every horse trainer today is a horse whisperer if they use their understanding of the horse's personality, thought process, nature, need for herdship, and method of communicating to bring the horse into a position of security and confidence necessary to be in wonderful partnership with a human.
So, asking if someone is a horse whisperer is really asking them if they are a horse trainer that is both highly educated and who loves horses.
It is sad, but not all do.
We now use the word Kleenex as a generic terms for facial tissue even though it is a brand name.
The term horse whisperer used to be reserved for the very special trainer who could communicate with horses.
Today, it is a term that should describe almost every horse trainer out there.
Perhaps one day it will describe them all.
Conversations between horse trainers and those who are not in the business now frequently begin with the question, "Are you a horse whisperer?" Having been asked that question myself quite a few times recently it seems a good time to define the term for those who are interested.
The term horse whisperer in 2010 is really just a generic term used to describe many folks who train horses for themselves or as equine professionals.
Decades ago using horses were "broke," which back then often meant literally.
At the end of the 19th century and into the early decades of the 20th, stock horses were born and grew up on wide open ranges, frequently not being handled until they were nearly mature at somewhere between three and five years of age.
Accepted Death Loss In those earlier days the number of horses was large and the cost to raise them very small.
When the cowboys brought in several hundred to buck out and break it was accepted than many would not survive the ordeal.
Broken legs and broken necks were not uncommon and the horses either gave in or gave out.
Thankfully, horses are very seldom 'broke' anymore.
Instead horses are now trained to be in a leader/follower relationship with a person.
The cost to raise a horse today is significant and it would be foolish indeed to plan for a significant percentage of horses to die in training.
Horses Have Feelingsand Value Besides the economic loss associated with horses sacrificed in the training process, we just don't consider them disposable creatures anymore.
Horses have lived in both the dreams and backyards of children for more than fifty years since cowboys first appeared on the silver screen.
Today, the fastest growing segment of the horse business is folks over fifty either returning to the equine dreams of their youth or making the investment for the first time as family and employment responsibilities wind down.
Thanks to the cowboys and horses of both television and movie fame, the horse has gained status as a companion animal as well as a working partner.
The Modern Horse Trainer Every modern horse trainer worth their salt uses relationship as a basis for educating and developing the horses in their care.
Every horse trainer today is a horse whisperer if they use their understanding of the horse's personality, thought process, nature, need for herdship, and method of communicating to bring the horse into a position of security and confidence necessary to be in wonderful partnership with a human.
So, asking if someone is a horse whisperer is really asking them if they are a horse trainer that is both highly educated and who loves horses.
It is sad, but not all do.
We now use the word Kleenex as a generic terms for facial tissue even though it is a brand name.
The term horse whisperer used to be reserved for the very special trainer who could communicate with horses.
Today, it is a term that should describe almost every horse trainer out there.
Perhaps one day it will describe them all.
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