During its evolution, mankind has developed strong connections with different tamed animals (horses, dogs) that have contributed significantly to our progress. Working with animals has always been a fascinating domain, but when it is being taken to a new level, it is even more exciting and challenging in the same time.
This is the example of Doma Indian School located in San Luis, Argentina which is known for using horse yoga in order to tame wild stallions. The technique it is controversial, but fruitful. Doma Indian School was founded by Oscar and Cristobal Scarpati, father and son, who put up the horse yoga method.
What is it about? In the simplest terms: horses lie on their backs whilst handstands are performed on them. This method claims on the one hand the horse taming and on the other hand gaining their trust and loyalty. People should forget about the notion “downward dog” and take into consideration a new one: “downward horse”.
Doma Indian School from Argentina is not only taming horses, but also making them calmer. Scarpati family works under the philosophy that non-violent forms of horse taming can develop a strong bond between man and horse. The family has experience regarding horses and they were able to tame wild stallion across South America and Europe.
The taming school from San Luis, Argentina states on its own site: “In contrast with most known methods, taming is established body-to-body in a natural game similar to that used in a herd of horses”. Therefore, from the beginning Doma Indian School highlights the need of communion between man and horse transposed in creating a comfortable environment for both.
Taming a wild stallion is not an easy task. Nevertheless, using the Scarpati methods guarantees a staunch relationship with the untamed horse. The connection between tamer and wild stallion evolves step by step, being strengthened every day. The most important aspect is to remove the wild horse’s fear (here fits spooking, sensibility).
Fear is a strong feeling and can trigger a wild horse. Because of this, a bronco can be so unpredictable and might seriously injure the tamer. Thereupon, the tamer’s first task is to assure that the wild stallion trusts him and does not fear of him. Once this aspect is solved the training can go further.
After removing the fear issue, acts that are widely considered dangerous (due to intense physical contact between human and animal) become safety techniques. This way the wild stallion quickly learns to trust the tamer and to work with him without problems. Scarpati family might be seen as a “family horsing around”, but more and more people started to understand and cheer their hard work.
When someone is willing to work with an animal, they to take in to consideration an important aspect: in order to give birth to a beautiful relationship, based on trust and meekness, between man and animal (in this case, between tamer and wild stallion) it is necessary to devote 100% to this cause.
Disclaimer: Of Horse! and sponsors do not endorse nor validate the accuracy of a blog post. Each article is the opinion of the blogger.