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Linda works with horses professionally as a partner in The Body Works! and has found herself increasingly drawn to working with animals - best of all, animals respond well to her efforts.
Our introduction to natural horsemanship came about through our son: he is developmentally delayed and we were recommended to have him participate in Therapeutic Riding. Having our children ride a horse of our own just felt right (if one "gets to", the other one "wants to", right?). So Shar a 20 year old Morgan-Tennessee Walker cross, came into our lives. She was a bit of a rescue case, having both foundered on all four and developed badly shaped hooves. After six months of careful diet and judicious hoof trimmings (thanks Stephanie!), she came around very nicely foot-wise.
However, having her feet rehabilitated didn't change her opinion of people: as soon as we entered the field, she would show us her hindquarters and walk away! Like any other horse that age, Shar had developed a number of opinions to augment her very dominant personality (most other horses didn't seem to share her opinion that a 14.2 hh pony should be lead mare...). Very much in her favour though, she was very gentle around children, and didn't even flinch when neighbour kids rode by on loud dirtbikes. Fortunately, one of Linda's girlfriends had been practicing Parelli Natural Horsemanship for about 2-3 years and she offered to help us a little with Shar (thanks Millie!).
Millie came over and played about three of the Parelli games with Shar for maybe a total of 45 minutes. Shar responded well to the games, but what was most amazing was that for the next three days, when Shar heard the house door open and shut, she would come running to the fence to see if we would play with her again! At that point, it was just a given that we would have to learn more about this natural horsemanship stuff.
Kevin has had a fascination for knots and ropes since childhood, so it was only a matter of time before he took a swing at making a beginner kit to work with Shar. Then Linda joined the local Parelli study group and when they found out that Kevin made Linda's equipment, the orders for equipment suddenly began appearing. Over the next two years, the products were refined and even a few custom pieces were designed for happy customers. Relationships with suppliers moved from retailers to wholesalers, including a direct account with Samson Rope Technologies.
Sadly, after about five years of having Shar, we had to sell her: she was becoming less able for regular riding and we became increasingly busy with our dog breeding business. We sold her to a good home where she would be occasionally ridden by a couple's grandchildren.
At one point, Natural Rope Halters was even in discussions with a major name clinician to be his wholesale manufacturer of equipment (unfortunately, the clinician wanted us to not only work for peanuts, but they also wanted to slash the quality of our finished product - neither of which was appealing - so we passed on the relationship). We have instead chosen a much smaller, but quality conscious market, building sales through word of mouth and through independent clinicians that want quality equipment for their clients. We don't believe in disposable tack, so repeat sales are generally the result of new horse purchases or the unfortunate experience of theft!
Five percent of the profits from each sale are donated to Horse Rescue Societies or Therapeutic Riding Associations. We believe in, and actively support, these equine-related activities. You – as a consumer – make a difference, shop responsibly and it will be a good difference.
We use quality components to handcraft tools for use with natural horsemanship techniques. Our equipment is not intended as safety equipment, but rather communication tools for developing a partnership between you and your horse. Having the correct tools without sufficient training in how to use them is a recipe for trouble: do not attempt to use these tools without first receiving proper instruction and supervision by professional natural horsemanship instructors. A haltered horse should not be left unattended in the interest of avoiding injury.
We have no power or control over how our products are used or maintained, therefore we can NOT be held responsible, or liable, for the effects of use, misuse, or abuse, of our products.
This site is not associated with, nor endorsed by, Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Clinton Anderson, or any other branded natural horsemanship method marketed anywhere - but people who practice natural horsemanship like our quality, prices and service.