The horse-human connection
Words Nikita Oliver Metcalfe
Horse trainer, Tyson Miller, has a passionate commitment to nurturing the individual partnership between horse and rider. Trust-based horsemanship and understanding a horse’s mind is where his core values lie as a horse trainer.
Influenced heavily by the teachings of Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, and Buck Brannaman, and a past apprentice of Ben Longwell from True West Horsemanship, Tyson has found the greatest teacher of all is still the horse. Specialising in colt starting and trust-based horsemanship, Tyson’s aim is to encourage others to build and develop their own partnership with their horse.
Based in the wider Auckland region, Tyson's influence extends far beyond his home turf. As a horse trainer, he traverses the country with his horsemanship clinics and lessons, educating horse owners on ways to refine and better their understanding of their connection with their horse. Central to his approach is the belief that education should extend to both horse and owner alike. “I focus on ensuring I create a safe environment that sets both the horse and owner up for success, through facilitating not only the growth of the horse's abilities but also the owner's knowledge,” says Tyson.
An aspect of his profession that Tyson has found enlightening, is the variety of horse owners and horses he has encountered; forming his belief that the horse-human partnership is an individual journey of horsemanship, regardless of age or discipline. “Each horse has a different mindset and ability, so my approach is to encourage others to learn how to eliminate their ego and adapt to the place where their horse is at mentally,” says Tyson. Progress is never linear in regards to horsemanship, which Tyson feels is explained well with the quote "work with the horse you have today".
Tyson thoroughly enjoys sharing his knowledge of horsemanship with others and is always seeking opportunities to ensure that each individual has something they can add to their skillset in order to build a stronger partnership with their horse. With Tyson’s next clinic schedule set to start at the end of October, he is looking forward to being able to help others build a solid foundation based on trust, and create a respectful relationship with their horse through clear communication. Whilst using his clinics and lessons as an opening to share his knowledge, he also utilises each interaction he has with a horse and/or owner as an opportunity to expand and adapt his own skillset. “I value the never- ending learning process that comes with trust-based horsemanship.”
TMHorsemanship@gmail.com | www.Instagram.com/ TysonMillerHorsemanship