The Extreme Mustang Makeover Ends an Era, and a New Mustang Finals Begins Jul 9, 2026 News Zachary Leyden For nearly two decades, one competition did more than almost anything else to show the public what patient horsemanship can do with a wild horse. The Extreme Mustang Makeover took untouched mustangs, ... Industry News The Natural Horsemanship Movement Wild Horses & Mustangs Read more
Welfare Science Is Catching Up to the Old Horsemen Jul 9, 2026 News Zachary Leyden There is a quiet irony running through the horse world right now. As governing bodies, scientists, and a skeptical public push training toward evidence and welfare, much of what the research keeps con... Industry News The Natural Horsemanship Movement The Scientific Method in the Saddle Read more
Xenophon on Horsemanship: The Oldest Riding Manual We Still Read Jul 9, 2026 Leyden Horsemanship Journal Zachary Leyden Around 355 BC, an aging Athenian cavalry veteran wrote down what he knew about buying, keeping, and schooling a horse. Men had written about horses before him, and nearly all of it is dust. His surviv... History of Horsemanship The Old Masters & Classical Tradition Read more
How to Catch a Horse in the Pasture: The Catch as a Conversation Jul 8, 2026 Leyden Horsemanship Journal Zachary Leyden You come through the gate with a halter over your shoulder, and out in the far corner a head comes up. Ears swing your way. Weight shifts. Nothing has happened yet, and everything has. The horse is al... Groundwork The Leyden Method Read more
Essential Techniques by Zachary Leyden for Beginner Riders Jul 8, 2025 Horsemanship Zachary Leyden What Are Essential Natural Horsemanship Techniques for Beginners? Natural horsemanship, influenced by Leyden Horsemanship principles, is an approach that emphasizes communication and partnership betwe... Read more
Why Groundwork Is Essential in Natural Horsemanship: Building Trust, Communication, and Safety Jul 6, 2025 Horsemanship Zachary Leyden Groundwork is a fundamental component of natural horsemanship that creates the basis for all advanced horse training methods. It involves exercises and techniques focused on understanding and communic... Read more
Natural Horsemanship Techniques to Build Trust With Horses Jul 6, 2025 Horsemanship Zachary Leyden Natural Horsemanship Techniques for Every Beginner: A Complete Guide to Building Trust and Training Your Horse Natural horsemanship emphasizes understanding a horse’s inherent behavior, communication ... Read more
Effective Groundwork Strategies for Better Horse Training Jul 5, 2025 Horsemanship Zachary Leyden In the realm of education, effective communication within lesson programs is pivotal for both trainers and learners. When a lead trainer possesses confidence in their delivery and subject matter, it c... Read more
Achieve Success Through Effective Groundwork Strategies Jul 5, 2025 Horsemanship Zachary Leyden Liberty work in horse training emphasizes developing a strong connection and mutual trust between the horse and handler without the constraints of traditional equipment such as halters or reins. This ... Read more
Traditional vs. Natural Horsemanship: A Comparison May 19, 2025 Horsemanship Zachary Leyden What is Traditional Horsemanship? Traditional horsemanship generally refers to training methods historically rooted in dominance and control, aimed at swiftly “breaking” the horse’s resistance to huma... Read more
Pressure, Release, and Trust: The Simple Science Behind Natural Horse Training May 9, 2025 Horsemanship Zachary Leyden Ever wondered why gentle training methods like pressure and release work so effectively with horses? Understanding the simple science behind natural horse training helps create willing, confident hors... Read more
From Breaking to Bonding: The Evolution of Horse Training May 2, 2025 Horsemanship Zachary Leyden What is Horse Breaking, and Why Was it Used? Historically, training a horse was synonymous with "breaking" it: using dominance and forceful methods to ensure quick obedience. These traditional techniq... Bill Dorrance Buck Brannaman Ray Hunt Tom Dorrance Zachary Leyden Read more
