Frank Bell's Method of Horse Training

Frank Bell, also known as "the horse whisperer" is an equestrian and horse trainer with a series of books and workshops who has been working with horses since 1986. Bell's horse training method is described as a gentle training method, in which long-lasting bonds are created by the horse rider and the animal. The exercises in this system help provide the horse with the skills and temperament necessary to make him a helpful farm animal.

  1. Knowing Your Horse

    • Horses can communicate with their trainers without using words. Frank Bell emphasizes that understanding the body language of your horse can help you know the best ways to react to spooking and other common horse problems. You can do this by observing your horse's reaction to various types of stimulation. If your horse's head is high when approaching water, he is afraid. Using a firm, but gentle hand when your horse is afraid can help you establish trust and address his fears. You can even adjust feeding to help your horse's temperament. For instance, horses that are more hot-blooded require less protein. When they receive too much they can become agitated and antsy.

    Establishing a Bond

    • According to Frank Bell's method, establishing a trusting bond with your horse inspires confidence not only in the horse, but in you as well. This is accomplished by a series of exercises that emphasize horse and rider safety. During these exercises, common riding and training problems are addressed head-on, rather than avoided. Problems such as aggressive biting behavior or refusing to bridle are addressed repeatedly during training exercises, so the horse learns to relinquish control, submit and trust. Additional bonding exercises can be done after training. For instance, while a horse is eating, it is more likely to allow you to touch its ears and other sensitive areas. Touching these areas help you establish trust with your horse.

    Training the Trainer

    • Rider error can lead to miscommunication, fear and an aggressive horse. Frank Bell addresses these issues during training by teaching riders the methods of horse riding best suited to the general temperament of horses. For instance, a poorly executed one-reign stop can cause bucking and balking. Using your heels to kick your horse can cause irritation. The Frank Bell method emphasizes using body language to communicate your wishes to the horse, rather than riding equipment.

    Common Horse Problems

    • The Frank Bell horse training method also provides solutions to many common horse training problems. For instance, horses rearing under the saddle is frequently caused by confusing directions provided by the rider who is pushing forward on the seat and pulling the reigns at the same time. To remedy this problem, Bell recommends causing a disadvantage to the horse's hindquarters by sitting back in the saddle while pulling the reigns. Bell also recommends training horses that have difficulty loading into a horse trailer to drive, before attempting to train them how to load into the trailer.