Prodney’s Blog: I think Marcel may be a horse

I’ve heard volunteer Marcel talk about ‘intelligent horsemanship’ and ‘horse listening’, and I have to admit that me and the team really like his style. He told Natalie he is a student of Monty Roberts' principles of natural horsemanship, which revolve around human and horse working in partnership and at the horse’s pace rather than the human trying to dominate.

It’s why everyone at Park Lane Stables would always refer to ‘training a horse’ and never ‘breaking’ them, and is why Marcel is a perfect fit for the human team.

Now imagine you’re a horse, used to a combination of roaming free in a field and sheltering in your own personal stable. Your human decides to take you somewhere, for which they expect you to walk freely into a gaping black enclosed space that sounds and smells all wrong.

What would you do? Exactly, you’d have none of it. Who knows what could be lurking there ready to attack you? And if the human keeps on pulling, you’ll dig your hooves in and refuse. Because you know there’s not much they can do when you throw your weight around.

In this video Marcel works with Esro to help him overcome his fear of the horsebox. It’s really quite impressive. And a bit mesmerising.

Prodney is Chief Equine Officer (CEO) at Park Lane Stables, and achieved celebrity status following the TV coverage in 2021.

Park Lane Stables is committed to taking care of all its horses for life. Herd life is the most natural way to live, supplemented by whatever extra care they need as they get older. Just as with humans, that includes increased medical costs and special diets, as well as the usual foot and dental care.

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