Mark Rashid’s Blog Entry on Natural Horsemanship
A very common-sense point of view IMHO. I’ve actually done a week long clinic with Mark and I think its some of the best instruction I’ve ever received.
Oh wow, thank you for sharing that! That should be required reading for any and all who do anything with horses.
I like that guy a lot.
Wikipedia has a “history” section talking about the various uses and popularity of the term, too:
I read two of his books and really liked them. I also saw him at one of the big expos-liked him in person too…Thanks for posting the link!
1 Like
Mark is absolutely the bestest!
Several years ago, he did a weekend benefit clinic for TIER. He parked his trailer here, did the clinic and stayed with us for 4 days!! Boy…did I learn that I have a lot to learn.
At the time, we had about 20 PMU foals less than 6 months old. A bunch of hooligans that didn’t know nuthin. One was being adopted out and we needed to cut him from the herd. Not usually an easy task.
Mark walked into that group of silly kids, cut the baby out, sent it down the alleyway to the roundpen without getting all the others worked up. He then helped to load the baby with minimal effort and stress. Very cool. Usually it was like being at a Footbal game where “The Fans Went Wild!”
He is a kind man that doesn’t use gimmicks. Like he says…“I don’t have any sticks, fancy halters & ropes, etc. to sell ya.” He just wants you to listen & hear what your horse is telling you.
1 Like
He’s a heck of a HORSEMAN and totally right about ‘natural horsemanship’. NOTHING that exists within the confines of DOMESTICATION can be under ANY circumstances be considered natural by scientific standards. “Natural” is not an OPINION, it’s a scientific fact 
We need more horseman like Rashid in the world.
1 Like
…in other words, he is not a wing nut.
“…sometimes people’s ideology gets in the way of their common sense.”
Damn skippy.
I’ve loathed the term “natural horsemanship” since it’s inception 20-ish years ago and refuse to use it. There is good horsemanship, bad horsemanship, completely lacking horsemanship; all of it is equally natural/unnatural, however you want to look at it.
2 Likes
I worked on a guest ranch in Colorado with Mark years ago before everything–the books, the traveling training etc. He is a great guy, and a wonderful horseman. I share his books with all my horse friends. They are special to me because many of the horses he writes about are/were personal friends of mine as well.
1 Like
Have never had the pleasure of meeting Mark Rashid, but his books are among the first that I recommend to people who want to understand the kind of horsemanship that is now the holy grail of my equestrian life. He’s the real deal.
1 Like
I don’t have a lot to say on this but I’ll add to the Mark Rashid love. I audited one of his clinics and the way he works with the horses is just so gentle and easy, and the way they respond is just beautiful to watch. It was very refreshing to see in this world of gimmicks and stressed out horses. 
I’m reviving this almost 15 year old post to confess I’ve just learned of Mark Rashid through this podcast … and wow, my mind has really benefited from this hour. Definitely worth a listen!
3 Likes
I managed to ignore Mark’s clinics at Equine Affair for several years. It was like he wasn’t “famous” enough. A minute into my first foray I realized I was a real idiot. He is absoluely one of the very best trainers out there. He is an extremely good writer.
At the very least read Softness.
2 Likes
15 year old thread!!
A friend of mine from NC has been attending his clinics for years. Probably since before the inception of this thread! Nothing but good things to say.
1 Like
