The Natural Connection

 
This communication training technique is called Natural Connection as it expresses the connection between horse and rider based on only the natural understanding of voice and body language, without the use of reins, whips, sticks, ropes or a bit. In fact it does not use any artificial equipment on the horse's head at all.
The technique was developed by Uri Peleg as a way of improving communication between horse and rider. Uri started training his first horse 'Golan' using this method over 15 years ago. Two years later he crossed Israel from North to South using only Natural Connection. The trail provided him with the perfect opportunity to prove that Natural Connection answers all the training questions posed by any natural (or indeed unnatural) obstacles including slopes, water, fences, gates or muddy pools. He successfully negotiated the difficult terrain whilst using lateral movements, changes in lead, performing circles, collection of the horse and most importantly speed control.

Today Uri rides the second horse to learn Natural Connection; 'Sean' is a talented Appaloosa whose natural athleticism and sensitive willingness to please lends itself perfectly to this method.

Why do we need Natural Connection?
Natural Connection enables riders to reach an advanced level of communication using their body instead of the horse's mouth: obviously a more comfortable method for the horse as the pressure points used are over its body and not on the soft tissue inside its mouth. The horse will lower its head by 20 cm lower with the removal of the bit from its mouth than during regular riding using a bit. By removing the bit we allow total reward as we remove all interference in the horse's mouth, we remove a 200-300 gram metal bar, preventing it rattling or bouncing in the horse's mouth during movement.
Communication is more interesting and challenging, both Uri and Sean enjoy this natural method. The horse's ability improves tenfold as a result, his balance improves, his willingness to check out obstacles whilst on the trail also increases as he is no longer frightened to lower his head.
Maybe the greatest advantage of Natural Connection is that it creates a better rider even whilst using reins or bit. The rider after training with Natural Connection no longer relies on their hands for balance, speed control or changes of direction.
The simple logic behind this technique is that it demands a superior level of sensitivity from the rider, awareness of body position and leg accuracy whilst using heels or spurs that when all put together create a rider that any horse would wish to have on its back whether they use a bridle or not.
Your true teacher (the horse) will respond with greater accuracy having learnt the body language you have built together during Natural Connection even if he has a bridle or mouth piece.
Other advantages include the perfect expression of self carriage (collection) of the horse; the use of Natural Connection will immediately verify whether the horse has true self carriage or whether he was relying on your hands and the reins in order to hold himself in the collected position.
Natural Connection is a complex language, allowing mutual understanding whilst riding in all conditions. Natural Connection is not a competition pattern; it has not been created for entertainment during a horse show or as a circus act.
Natural Connection is the next step for all those interested in learning any variation of natural horsemanship, in which the aim for all riders and trainers is to achieve a true partnership with their horse based on mutual understanding and willing participation.

Did you invent this method?
I have developed this method over the past 15 years. I am not the only person to develop a training technique of this sort; other trainers around the world have developed techniques that are similar in certain ways. However I have not taken any material from other trainers or clinicians, all the details and methods used in Natural Connection have been developed over years of trial and error with Golan and Sean.
I do feel however that it is important to recognize that there are some great horse trainers around the world who have shown in the past and who still show today certain exercises and competition patterns in the arena using no bridle bit or head gear.
The fact that I did not learn this unique method, but 'cooked' it slowly gave me a number of advantages. I developed Natural Connection for riding in open spaces and 'on the trail'; this is the one fact that differentiates it from all other natural horsemanship methods.
Natural Connection has been tried and tested in real life situations and I can guarantee you that it works!

Is Natural Connection more dangerous than conventional riding?
Yes, Natural Connection is more dangerous than conventional horse riding, in the same way that riding a horse is more dangerous than walking, or going for a walk is more dangerous than sitting in a chair. It is preferable in the beginning to use full riding equipment and to practice in an arena in order to allow time to make corrections and for general safety, eventually you can progress to a bridle with no bit still using two reins if needed, finally try riding in the arena with no reins or bridle before practicing outside the arena in familiar areas.

Who is it suitable for?
Natural Connection is suitable for experienced riders only! It is also only suitable for well trained horses. Both horse and rider should undergo basic training, and achieve a high level of competence before starting to learn Natural Connection.

How can I learn Natural Connection? 
The first ever Natural Connection Weekend Seminar was held on 11th-14th September 2008. For the first time the Seminar was conducted in English and Hebrew (simultaneous translation) as we had participants from the UK and New Zealand.

The seminar provided the opportunity to learn the basic principles behind this unique method of communication. The weekend was designed for experienced riders and horses only. The more experienced you are the more you  benefit from the seminar. If you do not own a suitable horse we will be happy to provide you with the one of ours together with all equipment at no extra cost.

A number of television channels and news programs have recently shown interest in Natural Connection, they include CNN, Channel 10 and Fox News. The Reuters news agency has shown programs on over 11 different US channels. Yediot , Maariv and the Jerusalem Post have written articles about Natural Connection and most recently the Appaloosa Horse Club of Canada magazine featured Natural Connection on the front cover of its Winter 2008 addition.