Forsmanship in Pöytyä
Forsmanship comes to Finland
Forsmanship comes to Finland in July/August - a behavioural training methodology for horses and humans!
Animal specialist and animal rights activist Stefan Forsman from Sweden is bringing the most recent evolution of Forsmanship - his animal training methodology - to Pöytyä in 2013 during week 31, 29.7.- 4.8.
The six day course will deal with horse care and development and will educate people on how to improve the behaviour and performance of horses for working and competition purposes by understanding horse psychology.
Horses that have been reared using Forsman’s methods can be ridden safely without riding tackle such as headstalls, reins and bits in their mouths. Dogs too reared using Forsman’s techniques don’t need to wear a leash.
However, the impact of human behaviours upon animals is a crucial component for success and Forsman deals directly with this topic. Throughout the entire learning program, participants receive both theory and experiential learning so they grow to understand in their own way how to improve training techniques with their animals, and become more aware of how they need to change and develop their own behaviours to achieve successful, long lasting results with their animals.
Stefan Forsman has over 30 years of experience in animal behavioral development, yet few in Scandinavia know about the extent of his international reputation and contribution to the field. Forsman is named by American author and animal psychologist Dr Robert Miller as one of the three key people in the world to have developed and introduced the progressive, humane animal training method known as natural horsemanship - an important and sustainable method of training that effectively produces happy, healthy and controllable animals.
Positive results are achievable, says Forsman, but it does require a change in human behavior. Of course, this is an idea that challenges many animal owners at first, Forsman explains. “Yet, human self awareness is critical to good outcomes for animals and owners, so my methods have expanded considerably to include and explore human behaviors of animal owners within this dynamic of animal behavioral development.”
For bookings and more information about the Forsmanship training program, contact the Pöytyä event organiser:
Terhi Rasinperä
tel: +358445148828
email: info@rasinpera.fi
Share this page -
Download the course outline here>
Read online here>
“The essence of it all is that humans need to change toproduce a horse or a dog that will perform consistently and in asustainable way; however, to get the results, it takes the time it takes … like I don’t let anyone get onto a horse until they havecreated a harmonious, relaxed relationship with that horse first on the ground. Once that is achieved, then they can geton, but not until.”
- Stefan Forsman
Stefan Forsman - Biography
“The essence of it all is that humans need to change toproduce a horse or a dog that will perform consistently and in a
sustainable way; however, to get the results, it takes the time it takes … like I don’t let anyone get onto a horse until they have
created a harmonious, relaxed relationship with that horse
first on the ground. Once that is achieved, then they can get
on, but not until.”
For over 30 years, Stefan Forsman has been on a quest to improve upon traditional methods of horse handling. This passion has taken Stefan around the world and his contribution has been noted as significant. American author and horse behavioral specialist Dr Robert Miller named Stefan Forsman as one of the leading proponents in the world of the methodology that has become known as natural horsemanship - essentially the art and practice of developing horse behavior using a non-confrontational, humane training philosophy.
Horses trained using Forsmanship techniques can be ridden without any riding tackle. They are known to be calmer yet in tune and ready to respond. Simply, they are better behaved. For dogs and their owners, he has devised programs that also incorporate a natural philosophy, taking people and their animals into wilderness locations, training animal owners how to lead their animals more effectively - and animals how to behave in a variety of situations; and also to walk without the use of a lead.
“Stefan Forsman’s training methodology is different and there are many, many aspects that are very interesting”
- Stig H.Johansson, Swedish Harness Racing
Growing up in rural Dalarna, Stefan first began studying the behavior of animals on his grandparents’ farm. By the age of 14 he had already earned a reputation for training and working with problem horses. Today, his techniques for working with horses are now practiced in territories from Europe to the USA, from Canada to Australia. As he remembers, he always believed that the training of horses could be done a lot better:
“I tried the conventional, traditional, normal way of training horses for quite some time before I realized that it wasn’t working very well. Sure I could get some old, crazy trotter or riding horse to slow down a bit by putting a sharper bit in their mouths but the horses sure weren’t relaxed and they didn’t travel at a slow pace for very long ... I understand today that it was not because we were good horsemen that we sometimes managed to get a horse into a trailer. It was in spite of us.”
Over the years, Stefan Forsman has successfully trained many people to use the methods that he has developed. He has helped to prepare horses for a variety of purposes, including farm work and competition riding. He has consulted to breed associations, agricultural colleges, the Swedish and Norweigen veterinary institutes, the Swedish King’s stables, Mounted Police in Stockholm and Oslo and he has also trained animals for the track and harness racing industries.
''Seize this chance to work with Stefan - like I did 10 years ago. You will not regret it''- Siv Hornsletten - Norway
Stefan Forsman’s animal clinics artfully combine theory and practice and he is well known for his entertaining personality as much for his knowledge and progressive techniques. He shares a body of knowledge that is based in his ongoing curiosity for always improving on what is known.
He says: “I always ask people to stay open. It is the only way. I spent many months in the outback of Australia during the late 1980’s just learning from locals how to catch and train wild horses but also to study their behavior in the wild.”
After living in Australia, Stefan continued building his knowledge and experience, catching and training more horses in the wilds of Montana and Canada and developing horses and handlers for a variety of farm/ranch use and horse competitions throughout the USA.
“I have seen people change their attitude completely to horses after working with Stefan’s guidance. I continue to seek his advice … there is something more he gives every
time … his knowledge does not stand still, it truly grows”- Katarina Persson - Sweden
On the future well being of any animal, Stefan believes that “a properly formulated plan together with timing and feeling” will ensure that the training given will remain with it forever. He says:
“Some people say that a horse who will not stand still, will not be loaded into a horse box, who will tug at the reins, grab the bit, buck and rear, nudge, nip and even bite, is spirited and happy - I believe this to be the exact opposite. It is a nervous horse that is unaware of its limits, what rules apply, or whom it should trust. That is a dangerous horse to itself and others and it is not the horse’s fault. This is human fault. We need to change.
“Some people say that a horse who will not stand still, will not be loaded into a horse box, who will tug at the reins, grab the bit, buck and rear, nudge, nip and even bite, is spirited and happy - I believe this to be the exact opposite. It is a nervous horse that is unaware of its limits, what rules apply, or whom it should trust. That is a dangerous horse to itself and others and it is not the horse’s fault. This is human fault. We need to change.
At 14, I started to question (still do) why and how we can do it
better. Like, why are you doing that? Why are you using that
equipment? The answer was always the same (still is). We've
always done it this way … My reply was (still is), well it doesn't work …
So, I decided to go and ask the horses what they were thinking. ”
- Stefan Forsman
Adult price: 700 €.Forsmanship comes to Finland in July/August - a behavioural training methodology for horses and humans!
(early bird discount: 450 €
- pay before June 30)A
Under 18 yr price: 450 €
(early bird discount: 350 €
- pay before June 30)
For bookings and more information about the course in Pöytyä, contact course organiser:
Terhi Rasinperä
tel: +358445148828
email: info@rasinpera.fi
Share this page -
a class="social-twitter social-import" href="http://twitter.com/#!/forsmanship">