Le Cheile

Natural Horse Training Method

Our way of working with horses closely follows the horses own natural behaviours in the wild. It is for the reason that our method is called 'Le Cheile', together as translated from the Irish. We work together with the horse, in partnership, respecting how the horses learns and using it to our mutual advantage.

The Beginning

Some horses are very lucky to be born safe and well, going through the process of imprinting only minutes after birth. Imprinting is used to gently introduce the young horse to the touch and smell of a human hand. The process is repeated as regularly as possible in order to de-sensitise the horse to being touched by a predator ( the horse being naturally a prey animal, and ourselves in the category of predator).

It is very important that the young horse learns not to fear humans. He will need to be wormed regularly, shod by the farrier, trained and ridden; all of which will be less stressful and safer for both the humans and horse involved if the horse has learned to accept and trust his human as leader; without fear of violence. This is the most effective method in preventing behavioural problems in the future for the horse.

We use this method of imprinting on all foals born here at Phoenix Equestrian Centre.

Growing up

Regular, sensible, handling of the young horse helps to develop his trust in humans, setting down the ground work for backing later on.

this is an ongoing piece, and will be added to regularly,

comments are gladly accepted,

e-mail: info@phoenixequestrian.com