I thought this was simply amazing. Anyone who loves horses, or is interested in horse training (actually any dog trainers might find this interesting as well) - relationship between trainer and animal - it's universal I think.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqvvn_lorenzo

Horses are pack animal and having a horse follow you around is so simple.I used to play hide and seek (kind of)with my horse when I was 8.I would have my father open her stall(my mare) and I would be hiding accross the field and calling her name and she would come running so fast and she would find me every time.I loved that horse.I see that Lorenzo has a stick in his hands all the time, I wonder why,Hummm
He must spend his whole day training those horses to accept him on their backs, standing like that,I hope those horses enjoy having him standing on their backs for long periods of time,I can't see that being fun for them.

I you knew anything about horses at all, you would agree what he is doing with the horses is simply amazing. Horses are herd animals, not "pack" animals - they are PREY animals. They are followers, and so the "group" behavior being shown does come naturally to them. However they would not follow and be in such perfect sinc with their trainer - without any equipment - if they did not have an amazing relationship and understanding with him. The whips are used (obviously) as guides, when the horses have nothing whatsoever on them to use as guides - not even the legs of a rider. Many behaviors shown here do not come naturally to horses - such as running two-by-two-by-two, or four-by-four - jumping - and etc. I think people familier with horses, and dog trainers too - will find this video very interesting, sorry you did not.

molly

Another aside - though I don't know this for a fact - I suspect the grey horses used by Lorenzo are in fact Camaraque horses - horses that are wild in that area of France. I suspect the horses he uses are in fact ex-wild horses, or bred from. Which makes it all even more amazing, to me.

molly

Molly
Sorry I meant to say herd, so natural any more to say pack, but yes they are heard animals.Having a horse follow you around is easy.I never said that those horses would jump naturally on their own, and so you know when a horse follows you like that when you are running you are most like going to get kicked or bitten from them , sometimes that is a form of play and sometimes it's not, I am sure the whip was for that reason in case when they do chase him or follow him around too close, to keep a little space in between.If you watch one of those clips you will see they stop it right at the time , it looks as if one of those horses was going to either run him over or kick very close to him.I have seen that happen in front of me many times.I did not say I did not like it but no matter how many amazing training exercise you see with animals ,you have to wonder if the animals enjoys it.Is he a great horseman, I don't know.Yes my kids loved it and thought how great it was, I have a different opinion on those kind of exercises and tricks done with certain animals, I think we all have the right to post our opinion, and it does not have to be the same as everyone else.Molly, I do agree on some things and sometimes I am a bit opinionated.
I hope everyone enjoys it and no one has to agree with me!

 Quote: Molly Graf

I thought this was simply amazing. Anyone who loves horses, or is interested in horse training (actually any dog trainers might find this interesting as well) - relationship between trainer and animal - it's universal I think.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xqvvn_lorenzo

Molly, thanks for sharing this video. Lorenzo has amazing balance, and what a trust relationship going on there!!!! I really enjoyed watching that.

It's interesting this came up. Saturday before last, our dog trainer here talked about a woman he learned a LOT from. She was very successful in OB training with dogs (AKC) - but with a background in dressage. She apparently utilized her dressage knowledge about using the whole body to guide and teach dogs the movements (like in dressage with horses) in a way that may not be common yet with dog trainers.

Dave is working to apply some of these concepts to sharpen the competition level OB work with his dog. I know you have spent much more time on the high level competition SchH field than Dave has. His current hopeful high level comp dog has had set backs with an injury, etc. But I know both of you are quite serious about studying and implementing training techniques - I thought you might find that interesting. (even coming from a newbie like me!)

Beth

Molly,
I have been to the Camargues and many years ago you could find some wild one but not anymore and they have used the native Camargue Horses for horseback riding and other horse sports for decades, I am positive he did not get those horses from the wild herds.If their are any , anymore.I guarantee it.The ones you see running loose are tatooed and owned ,they just run loose for a period of times and then round up.

Yes, a whip/stick in the wrong hands inflicts pain. In the right hands, it simply extends the reach of a person's hand and gives direction through touch. No different than a dog collar - it can be abused or not. This man is in no way abusing his horses. They wouldn't follow him around if they didn't like and respect him. I've seen too many horses refuse to be caught in a field to think this is automatic behavior. (Which means, Angelique, your mare must have liked and trusted you - a good thing!) And keeping your horse in synch with another horse, let alone several others, is difficult enough if you're sitting and have a bridle. Having them go over a jump together so you don't wind up doing the splits is simply amazing. A nice testament to training through understanding.

I didn't say the guy was abusing his horses, I simply wondered why a stick in his hands the whole time he was with his horses.Same for hte handlers that have their dogs on a e-collar all day for every training exercise.I am all for good training on any animals as long as they enjoy the training, sorry but I don't know that a guy jumping in the air and landing on their backs is what horses enjoy, that is all , yes he is very good at what he does, I did not say he was bad.Like I said their are things I have an opinion about , I did not say I was against everything he did with those horses!

Nice video, thanks for sharing. My kids are just learning how to ride (I have riden most of my life and have a 1.5 year old APHA gelding), it would be great if they can have even the smallest amount of synergy that this man has with his horses. We all strive to be our horses friend.