You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.

I had been riding horses before my memory kicked in, so my life with horses had no beginning. It simply appeared from the fog of infancy. I survived a difficult childhood by traveling on the backs of horses, and in adulthood the pattern didn't change.

The wonder of Independence is that it encourages open minds and the desire to improve.

Always work to cause your horse to follow the path of least resistance. Then place an opening for him to pass through so that the path of least resistance becomes the direction you want him to go in.

For centuries, humans have said to horses, 'You do what I tell you or I'll hurt you.' Humans still say that to each other -- still threaten, force and intimidate. I'm convinced that my discoveries with horses have value in the workplace, in the educational and penal systems, and in the raising of children. At heart, I'm saying that no one else has the right to say 'you must' to an animal -- or to another human.

Everybody ought to be given a chance to do whatever they want, but be responsible for their own actions.

Horses are our silent partners. When we learn their language. This partnership grows strong.