Natural
Horsemanship
Training
Tanja Fichera
with True Feel Horsemanship
From Wikipedia:
Natural horsemanship is a collective term for a variety of horse training techniques which have seen rapid growth in popularity since the 1980s. The techniques vary in their precise tenets but generally share principles of “a kinder and gentler cowboy” to develop a rapport with horses, using methods said to be derived from observation of the natural behavior of free-roaming horses and rejecting abusive training methods.
The modern natural horsemanship movement, though not originally described as such, developed primarily in the United States Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain states, where the “buckaroo” or vaquero-style cowboy tradition was the strongest. Brothers Tom and Bill Dorrance were early modern practitioners, who had background in the Great Basin buckaroo tradition. They had a particularly strong influence on Ray Hunt, who in turn became a significant influence upon Buck Brannaman. Many practitioners claim influence from the Dorrance brothers and Hunt, some having trained directly with these individuals.
Can you put that in simpler terms please?
Yes we can! Keep on reading…
Natural Horsemanship Training
From Wikipedia:
Natural horsemanship is a collective term for a variety of horse training techniques which have seen rapid growth in popularity since the 1980s. The techniques vary in their precise tenets but generally share principles of “a kinder and gentler cowboy” to develop a rapport with horses, using methods said to be derived from observation of the natural behavior of free-roaming horses and rejecting abusive training methods.
The modern natural horsemanship movement, though not originally described as such, developed primarily in the United States Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain states, where the “buckaroo” or vaquero-style cowboy tradition was the strongest. Brothers Tom and Bill Dorrance were early modern practitioners, who had background in the Great Basin buckaroo tradition. They had a particularly strong influence on Ray Hunt, who in turn became a significant influence upon Buck Brannaman. Many practitioners claim influence from the Dorrance brothers and Hunt, some having trained directly with these individuals.
Can you put that in simpler terms please?
Yes we can! Keep on reading…
NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP EXPLAINED
The softer, long lasting approach
In my experience, natural horsemanship is about developing a partnership with my horse where I can accomplish our goals in the best way for the horse. Gone are the harsh bits, draw reins, martingales, lunging the horses to exhaustion… Horsemanship is a relationship that you will develop with your horse over time. It is not a program that you go into for a couple of months to “fix” your horse and then forget about it. It is a journey for both of you. Anytime I set foot into the barn and open a stall door, I learn something new from each horse. It is an exciting life journey of knowledge for yourself and your equine partners.
Is natural horsemanship right for me?
Natural horsemanship applies to every discipline – dressage, hunter/jumpers, roping, endurance… the list goes on. The less conflict you have with your horse, the better your performance or more enjoyable your rides will be. Natural horsemanship is not a quick fix- it isn’t a two month program where you quickly learn, and then off you go. It is a journey that you embark on for you and your horse.
ABOUT TANJA
I grew up in the world of jumpers and learned to ride when I was very young. My first horse was a strong 17.2 hand Thoroughbred gelding who would drag me to the jumps. My trainers had me put use harsh bits, figure 8 nosebands, running martingales, and draw reins so that I could make it around the course in some semblance of control. It wasn’t until early 2018 that I saw Buck’s documentary and was first exposed to horsemanship. I was shocked that I hadn’t heard of it and upset that I had been riding for over 30 years, and I felt I was doing it all wrong. In March 2018 I went to my first Buck Brannaman clinic in Arizona. Watching Buck ride changed my life right then and there. I decided I wanted that type of relationship with my horse. From that day on, I have worked to be a student of the horse. I have continued to go to Buck’s clinics and have also gone to Standing Heart Ranch in Montana to work with Dave Gamble. I have been fortunate enough to host clinics and learn from Doug Jordan, who is in the National Cutting Horse Association Hall Of Fame and the only cutting trainer who uses natural horsemanship to teach cutting. As my education continues, I also grow from teaching others and working with the horses. I have re-started many off-track thoroughbreds and transitioned them into their new careers. I have started colts and re-started horses with issues that needed to be worked through.
From the Pros…
“I met Tanja when she watched me get on my bridle horse that I hadn’t ridden in 3 or 4 years and he worked soft and light like he had been in steady everyday work. When she saw that, and she didn’t see me move a leg, or squash my horse down to a stop, and she saw how light he was, she said, ‘I want to be able to do that!’ I quickly saw in Tanja that she had a passion for learning horse-manship. I have been out to clinic for her and her students, and every time I return, I see that she and her students I are constantly improving and getting better with their horses. They are dedicated to learning and Tanja has the willingness to con-tinually grow in her horsemanship
“
~ Dave Gamble
Visit Daves Website
One of Tanja’s mentors, horse trainer Doug Jordan, writes about Tanja and her horsemanship journey:
“Simply put, horsemanship is an attitude of bettering oneself to be a better partner for their horse. An attitude of knowing that a lifetime is not enough time to learn what we need to know, but we do the best we can to improve the partnership with the horse. I have enjoyed sharing my own journey with Tanja in hopes that her road to a better partnership is smoother and easier for the horse than mine. My enjoyment comes from knowing that Tanja carries the same attitude to be a better partner for the horse. It has to come from within the person in order for the horse to reflect it outwardly.”
~Doug Jordan
Training Prices and Packages
FULL TRAINING
- Includes 5 lessons or trainer rides each week
- 1 turnout each week
- Feed client provided grain and supplements daily
- Grooming when trainer rides
- Meet with vet and farrier
$1100/month
PARTIAL TRAINING
- Includes 3 lessons or trainer rides each week
- 1 turnout each week
- Feed client provided grain and supplements daily
- Grooming when trainer rides
- Meet with vet and farrier
$800/month
Testimonials
What People are Saying
“I learned new tools to be a confident rider”
“When I began riding with Tanja Fichera, my confidence was at a low ebb. Tanja teaches natural horsemanship, an incredible base for horses and riders of any discipline. Those methods continue to pay big dividends for me on the ground, in the arena and on the trail. Out of the arena, she helped me find books, videos and podcasts explaining brain science and how we could use it to help push past my problems. She works hard and smart while always trying to learn more herself. I will never be anyone’s idea of an athlete, but Tanja gave me enough new tools to make me a happier, stronger owner and rider.”
Beth T.
“Saw a positive change in my horse”
“Tanja introduced us to horsemanship a couple years ago, and within a matter of weeks I saw a positive change in Cisco. It’s pretty amazing how quickly horses adapt and respond. She helped me change my behavior to allow him to make choices instead of forcing the answer on him. I feel like now we have a true horse-human partnership, rather than a dictatorship. With Tanja, I learned the value of working with my horse on the ground first, how to adjust my body language and pay close attention to his response. I learn something new every time I work with Cisco, sometimes we have a huge ah-ha moment and sometimes it’s just something simple but it’s always rewarding. I feel like he enjoys it as much as I do. Horsemanship training has been a real trust and confidence builder for both of us. I often wish I had started this training years ago (when we were showing) but I’m so grateful to be practicing it now.”
Jonni B.
“She gets inside a horse’s brain”
“As soon as I met Tanja, I could tell she was one that was born that way, she “get’s horses”. What I love about her most is that when she is working with you it is all about you, the human, and your horse and never makes you feel like a dork. Her approach is not about power or control through gritted teeth, it is about getting inside of your and your horse’s brain. From there she customizes to focus on what you need. Tanja had several weeks of daily training with my horse in to get a handle on the root cause of his behavior, after that the focus was on my learning about how I was contributing to the problems and how to anticipate and support his issues in a way that made him feel confident but still understood who was in charge without hitting him over the head with a 2X4. To Tanja it is all about you and your horse being a team, with consistency and patience. She never loses her cool and never rushes the process. Her goal is for the horse to respond to your requests with the least amount of pressure and stress. One of her strengths is to build the courage of the rider with the skills and abilities to keep a forever solid foundation. Tanja has forever changed my understanding of horses, riding with consistency and confidence.”
Elizabeth R.
“Insight, patience and love for horses”
“I first met Tanja when I was in pursuit of learning about natural horsemanship. I had a four-year-old that had never been touched and she helped me get him started. Her insight, patience, and love for horses far surpasses many trainers that I have worked with over the years. Her knowledge about working with horses through natural horsemanship methods really resonated with me because I own very hot horses. I have also seen her work with many other types of horses including thoroughbreds, Arabians, quarter horses, gaited horses, and others. It really takes a special person to be able to work with all different types of horses. Not only is she good with the horses but she’s good with people too. Not many Trainer’s are good at teaching, but Tonya knows how to talk in a way that it’s easy to understand and learn from her. I will be taking lessons with Tanja and having horses in training with her for many years to come. I’m very grateful to have gotten to know her.
Cheree B.