Five Minutes With... Ken Faulkner - EQUITANA 2012 The Way Of The Horse Winner!

The Way Of The Horse competition at EQUITANA is always a hugely popular event and this year was no exception!

The three day horsemanship challenge saw three of Australia's leading horse trainers - Ken Faulkner (Qld), Paul Clarkson (NT) and Naish Hogan (Qld) - demonstrate their highly personal and specialised methods of connecting with a young, 'unbroken' horse. Although from diverse backgrounds and favouring different methods of training, these trainers all have one very important thing in common; they are united in their effort to change the “traditional” mindsets regarding starting and training a young horse.

All contestants worked well with their young horses over the three days, however, Ken Faulkner did an outstanding job and took the honours as 2012 The Way of The Horse winner. Find out more about the Way Of The Horse competition

Ken is a highly experienced horseman and several years ago he started Australian Natural Horsemanship, which now has instructors running regular schools for students both in Australia and internationally.

Jo Johnson caught up with Ken recently to find out more about natural horsemanship and his experience during The Way Of The Horse.

Ken, how did you first become involved with horses?

I wanted a horse of my own all my life.  My uncle was a stockman/horse breaker and from a young age the only riding I could get was when they would let me sit on their horses.   At the age of fourteen my parents helped my buy my first horse, a chestnut mare call Beauty. She had a mix of thoroughbred/stock horse and heavy horse and was about four years old. I began riding other people's and breaking in horses throughout my teenage years.  During my youth I firstly rode bullocks and then progressed to saddle broncs and then some bulls at rodeos, however, I spent a good percentage of my younger life mustering both sheep and cattle.

What made you decide to take up starting horses at such a young age?

By the time I was sixteen I had bred a foal and as I’d watched and helped my uncle, I thought I could break in my own horse. Over the next few years I bred more foals that I eventually started myself with the help of my uncle and at one time a neighbour, Peter Blundell. This then led into starting horses for other people.

What do you love most about working with young/un-started horses?

I love the fact that they are a clear slate.  I enjoy that the influence I have from the beginning will set them up for the rest of their lives.  Someone said once “the first ride is not something, it’s EVERYTHING”.  I strongly believe this to be true. This was stated by Shorty Freeman, a world champion cutting horse trainer.

You've been involved in many different horses sports is there one in particular that you enjoyed the most?

I have enjoyed all the sports immensely.  It’s interesting that the sport I was learning more about at the time became the one I enjoyed the most. As my knowledge improved my enjoyment increased and my skills got better.  It tried to do a variety of horse related sports, polocrosse, campdrafting, roping, western pleasure, trail, halter and English hack classes.  When I was at the stations I thought I could ride, then when I went to the Quarter Horse stud, I had to learn a whole new style of riding. When I looked at what we now call natural horsemanship I had to re-think my skills again.  Each style helped to influence the program we call Australian Horsemanship.

Did you go to the USA specifically to learn about natural horsemanship or did you get into it when you went over there?

I went specifically to study natural horsemanship, or horsemanship in general.  I was pleased with what I was already doing, but knew there was a lot more to learn, especially the psychological aspect of how horses think and react.  Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to met and learn from men like Pat Parelli, Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, Mike Bridges, Dr Robert Miller, Ronnie Willis and others who had a profound effect on my horsemanship.

Who did you first work with to learn about natural horsemanship?

I first heard about it when Pat Parelli came to Australia and I watched one of his clinics. It was before he had his program or his levels. In short it was just “good horsemanship”.  The term “Natural Horsemanship” started to be used at about that time or just after.

Did you have a role model/inspiration when you first started out?

My uncle was pretty much my role model to start with.  We worked together, so we rode horses together mustering and catching wild cows and calves for local farmers. It was great fun. Sometimes we’d come home with the shirt pulled off our back from running through the scrub after a feral cow or calf.

What is the main difference between 'natural horsemanship' and other horsemanship?

I think the difference is in the thought patterns of the individual trying to use an animal’s natural habits and instincts in a constructive and positive way.  When you think about it we take a prey animal’s natural flight in the negative and convert it to a positive response. Quite incredible really. I really just like to think of it as “good” horsemanship.

Can anyone, with any breed of horse, from any discipline, practice natural horsemanship?

Absolutely. It’s about the journey of the horse and rider, so long as the rider is not over mounted, any thinking person and any generous horse will benefit from natural horsemanship.  The foundation training will help any horse in any discipline, competitive or pleasure. A fundamental for all disciplines should be a soft and generous horse, yielding easily from hand and leg.

How can people learn more about natural horsemanship and apply it to working with their own horses?

At Australian Horsemanship we have a solid, well rounded program that involves liberty, ground skills, freestyle riding and collected riding. In our Supercamps we cover all types of riding including working with cattle. We conduct regular courses throughout Australia and overseas that are tailor made to fit the ability of horse and rider. We encourage participants to make use of our Certificate Program, which is a development process for the horse and rider. Certificate One minimizes resistance, Certificate Two adds positive responses, Certificate Three refines the responses and Certificate Four is aiming at performance horse maneuvres and advanced riding dynamics for all disciplines. Our course calendar, certificate program and training DVDs are available on our website which is www.australiannaturalhorsemanship.com. Updated calendars are also found on our facebook page under Ken Faulkner-Australian Natural Horsemanship.

What do you enjoy most about teaching people and their horses?

In enjoy watching people improve their confidence and their safety, just by understanding the dynamics of the horse. I think that the more I help other people, the better horseman I become.  It seems to work from my brain to my mouth and my brain to my hands at the same time.  (Does that mean I’m a multi-tasker)?

Do you have a favourite breed of horse to work with?

I wouldn’t call it a favourite breed but at the moment I seem to have Quarter Horses. My wife Kathy (pictured on palomino, Sundance, during the Equitana demo) has Stock Horse/Quarter Horse crosses and Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse crosses. The generous nature of the Quarter Horse fits my inconsistent riding habits due to work, however I do enjoy the bigger movement of Kathy’s style of horse as well.  I love a quiet but sensitive well moving horse.

Congratulations on winning The Way Of The Horse - how was that experience?

Thank you. It was probably one of the highlights of my life. I had no idea of the magnitude of the competition with regard to the overseas interest as well as the size of the audience. Thousands of people each day watching, clapping and cheering as three trainers showcased their methods.  My horse was a lovely three year old Stock Horse called Ginkgo (the chestnut pictured here in photos taken during The Way Of The Horse), who is owned by Dry Creek Stock Horses and purpose-bred for this competition. He was a sensitive little guy and it would have been easy to scare him, but as he connected with me, he allowed me to show the quality of our program. The rewarding thing was being able to rely on our program and trust in the results. As I was called the “veteran” trainer I felt a small advantage of years of experience. Naish and Paul certainly shone in their own way, even though all our methods were individual to us. I believe the Equitana “The Way Of The Horse” competition is unique because the horses were all untouched. 

Would you recommend to others, who work with starting young horses, to try to be part of Way of the Horse in future?

Absolutely, I think it is the most fitting avenue for trainers to show their style. It is a one of a kind competition in Australia, probably akin to the American “Road to the Horse”. It is ideally suited for trainers to help educate people to think of different training methods that may be more acceptable in today’s society. 

How did you find Equitana this year overall?

I really enjoyed Equitana this year.  We had a demo on the first morning and the competition for the next three days.  Each day drew people to our stand which we shared with Naish and Paul and it was great to catch up with many of my students and friends, who had come to show their support.  Equitana as usual did a great job showcasing the many and various types of horses and competitions.  Their charter is about education and I think they excelled in this endeavour.

Did you get to watch any other events/clinics and if so, what did you enjoy most?

As we were committed to our demo and competition we didn’t get to see as much as we would have liked, however, we did get to the Australian Open Reining Championships and enjoyed it immensely.

Is there a horse sport you'd love to try?

As a horseman and not necessarily a competitor, improving my all round skills rocks my boat. My aim at the end of this life is to be known as an all round horseman. Team roping, reining and the vaquero style of riding, along with cowboy dressage are all things I want to do more of.

What's something that most people don't know about you?

I can’t really think of anything! What you see is what you get. My wife thinks I have a coat fetish.

If you have spare time, how do you like to spend it?

I love to spend time with my own horses. Sometimes I like to fish and I like target shooting. Shopping with my wife seems to be a favourite pastime. We are a bad influence on each other.

If you weren't doing what you do now, what would you be doing?

I can’t even think of anything else.  I know it’s a cliché but my job and my hobby is the same thing. 

Is there a country that you haven't been to yet that you would love to visit?

I would like to go to South Africa to do courses and a horseback safari sounds like fun. I would like to go to America more often for teaching and learning.

Shout out to supporters?

Again I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years, allowing me to live a dream. I’d also like to thank my good friend Dippa (Damian) for his friendship, his time and his generosity of spirit. His good wishes and support made Equitana even more enjoyable. Thanks also to my wife Kathy and friend Margo for signing me up for Equitana before I could say no. It was a good ride.

Thank you so much for your time Ken and congratulations again on winning The Way Of The Horse!

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• Find out more about Ken and the Australian Natural Horsemanship Program and Courses

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