When a man was asked why he saved the pony that no one wanted, and which wouldn't make any difference to all the other ponies, he replied, "Ah, but it made a difference to that pony."

Trust and respect is what horses demand. Unfortunately, not every human owner and rider understands that, which is why the relationship between animal and man is often fractious, frustrating or downright unpleasant.

As a prey animal, a horse demonstrates its fear or disrespect of humans in countless ways, among them bucking, rearing, biting, kicking, bolting, and trying to dump its rider. Viewed from the in-built perception of human superiority, owners and riders thus approach equine 'bad' behaviour as if they were dealing with a naughty child. Through a lack of understanding, the relationship between man and animal then becomes a battle of wills, with plenty of frustration, anger and recalcitrance on both sides.

Thanks to Bermuda resident Georgina Dixon, who attended a Parelli natural horsemanship clinic in Canada conducted by expert Don Halladay, during which she witnessed the remarkable results the three-star instructor achieved with 'awkward' horses, local horse owners and riders are being given a similar opportunity on Saturday when Mr. Halladay will be in Bermuda to conduct a demonstration at Inwood Stables on Radnor Road in Hamilton Parish.

"Don is an amazing person to watch with horses," Mrs. Dixon says. "His ability to 'read' their individual characters almost instantaneously is a joy to behold. He is able to communicate and form a partnership with horses purely by body language in a way they understand as being non-threatening."

The demonstration will begin at 11 a.m., and attendance is free, but donations to the SPCA would be appreciated to assist the animal charity in its work of caring for the well-being of Bermuda's horses. Attendees are requested not to bring horses to the event.

Mrs. Dixon defines 'natural horsemanship' as understanding that horses are prey animals who naturally perceive humans as a threat and behave accordingly. Humans, on the other hand, are predators and direct-line thinkers, which basically means they see something and go straight towards it, whereas horses are born to run away as fast as possible.

Domestication has taken horses away from their natural surroundings, and the way we keep them in today's fast-paced, modern world is the cause of many of their 'bad' behaviours and illnesses.

"Letting the horse know we understand him is perhaps the most important thing we can do," Mrs. Dixon says.

Planting the seeds and offering a way of perceiving a horse is what Mr. Halladay aims to accomplish during Saturday's Parelli natural horsemanship demonstration — a system which allows horse lovers at all levels and disciplines to achieve success without force, partnership without dominance, teamwork without fear, willingness without intimidation, and harmony without coercion.

Here, Mr. Halladay answers questions posed by Lifestyle's Nancy Acton during his busy travelling schedule.

Q: What started you on the road to Parelli Natural Horsemanship versus traditional methods?

A. I have been a rancher all my life. I started with many horses, and used horses on the ranch. I began to feel like there should be an easier way for both horse and human. I found Parelli completely by accident. I went to a Parelli Clinic with a friend and by mid morning I realised that there was a programme I could follow to build a relationship with horses.

Q: How do your methods of horse communication differ from 'traditional' methods of making a horse comply?

A: Horsemanship can be achieved naturally through love, language and leadership, as opposed to fear, mechanics and intimidation. The human can communicate with the horse through understanding, communication and psychology.

Q:How does a human learn to 'read' a horse?

A: Reading a horse is a learned skill, but it can be learned by anyone with the desire to do so. Horses have a number of body positions and facial expressions, and they are communicating every moment.

Q: How long does a horse take to 'read' you?

A: They size up the human within a few seconds and from a great distance away. This is to be expected as the horse, being a prey animal, has been tuned into predators through the 60 million years they have been on the earth.

Q: What is the scariest thing that has ever happened to you with a horse?

A: A horse I was galloping across a valley stepped in a hole with both front feet and we both did a somersault. We both came up on our feet, and I got back on and resumed the chase. It happened very fast and we weren't hurt, but it was an exciting tumble.

Q: Which was the most challenging and the most rewarding horse you ever met?

A: My horse, Cutter, is the most challenging horse I have known. He is now six years old, and has been a horse that needs convincing with every movement that I am not going to hurt him. The most rewarding horse to date has been Maverick, also a six year old, who is responsive and smart.

Q: Who are you teaching the most —horses or people?

A: I am teaching people to teach horses.

Q: What makes your job worthwhile?

A: Knowing that if I can pass on some basic information to the human so they can give their horse a better deal.

Q: What upsets you most about the modern horse industry?

A: People expect that the horse should understand them, when in fact the human needs to understand the horse firstly. Horses are not with us by choice, therefore it is our responsibility to look after them, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. In addition, too many horses are being bred without a plan for their longevity.

Q: Why do most people come to you for help and advice?

A: Often a person will be having problems with a horse and is looking for help. There are many new horse owners who want skills and knowledge so they can build a relationship with their horse, and there are people who want to become very good with horses, and Parelli has a programme to help them do that.

Q: What is the most common problem horses have?

A: The human problem — that is, humans who neither understand the nature of a horse nor have the skill level to deal with the horse they have.

Q: What is the hardest problem to fix?

A: Humans who think they know all there is to know about horses.

Q: What is the easiest problem to fix?

A: Any problem the human is having with their horse can be helped or addressed by following the Parelli programme. There are no quick fixes.

Q: Do people sign up for a Parelli clinic as a first or last resort?

A: A combination of both types of people. We have had students tell us that the clinic was the last chance they were giving their horse before selling it. There are also students who are looking for a more effective way of relating to their horse, and are looking for the knowledge and skills.

Q: What is your opinion of the term 'horse whisperer'?

A: 'Horse whisperer' became popular through the book and movie, and I think they both helped to raise awareness about horses. The term does not apply directly to what I do, but I can see why people would make that association. I often tell people that Parelli is horse whispering to the tenth power.

Q: How do you view the analogy personally? Are you offended by it, or do you embrace it?

A: The term 'horse whisperer' means different things to different people. Some take it literally and think that trainers whisper in a horse's ears! I communicate with the horse in a way that is fitting for him. I am not offended by the analogy, and if someone calls me a 'horse whisper' it provides an opening to talk about what I really do.

Q: Is the term 'breaking down barriers' more appropriate?

A: It is not about 'breaking down barriers' between horse and human so much as it is about understanding the horse for the creature he is. The horse is already a perfect horse, it is the human who needs to understand the nature of the horse. People are not born knowing about horses, it is a learned skill, and owing a horse or caring for a horse implies a moral responsibility to educate oneself.

Q: If you had one wish for the horse world, what would it be?

A: That no horse every had to be afraid of a human; that every horse would be treated with dignity, and always have fresh water, good food and a place to run.

Q: This is your first trip to Bermuda, and your demonstration is for one day only, so what can people expect to take away from it?

A: I plant seeds, and offer a way of perceiving the horse. Any impact on the observer comes through seeing the way horses respond to what I offer them.

Q: Tell me a little about yourself, your family, your work and travels.

A: My wife, Randee, and I have a ranch in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada. We travel with four horses when conducting clinics across Canada. We travel to seven provinces, and provide approximately 100 clinic days per year. In the off-season we travel to the Cayman Islands to provide clinics, and we also attend a number of clinics throughout the United States. The Canadian winter is a time for us to work on our horsemanship. Our children are excited about our interesting life, and cheer us on. Our daughter has a Doctorate in military history, and our son is an architect who lives in New York City.

• Further information on Mr. Halladay and the Parelli natural horsemanship method see websites www.donhalladay.com and www.parelli.com respectively. Mrs. Dixon can be reached at tel. 537-0808 or by e-mail georged@transact.bm.