True West Horsemanship ♡

The “one rein emergency stop" is over-taught and over-used. It is a cookie-cutter answer that is an attempt to help keep people safer without really developing better preparation and understanding. When we and our horses understand response in spite of trouble, we can regain their focus with one r...

“You can never rely on a horse that is educated by fear. There will always be something that he fears more than you. But, when he trusts you, he will ask you, what to do when he is afraid." – Antoine de Pluvinel It can be relatively easy to motivate a horse through force or &hellip

Trust and understanding are not filler words but refer to the emotional and mental states of the horse that we are wanting to be “ok". Trust being the emotional aspect and Understanding the mental aspect making Response “the right thing, from the right frame of mind, for the right reason". We ar...

The term ‘Horsemanship’ is used in many different settings and it’s true meaning can be diluted. It is important that we stay focused on the fact that we are working on ourselves to improve our consistency, communication and understanding – to adjust in each situation to “fit" the horse th...

The term ‘Horsemanship’ is used in many different settings and it’s true meaning can be diluted. It is important that we stay focused on the fact that we are working on ourselves to improve our consistency, communication and understanding – to adjust in each situation to “fit" the horse th...

About Us Ben Longwell is the Horseman & Clinician for True West Horsemanship based most of the year in Pendleton, Oregon, USA. Read more about us, our history, horse training philosophies & what we do below. Ben Longwell grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado, USA, riding horses and workin...