Trainer Teaches People How to Learn from Horses
Working successfully with horses by understanding them transforms people, teaching them how to communicate with others and be more effective leaders, says Chris Irwin. The coach and trainer of trainers in the international horse industry told about 30 people at the lunch meeting of the Whitecourt and District Chamber of Commerce that his insights into animal behaviour inspired him to write two books and teach personal development. “This really started for me back in the mid90s when I wrote my first book, Horses Don’t Lie.”
Whitecourt Star| Canada| Ann Harvey | March 2011 | Read Article
Paardenmens tussen mensen
( A horseman for the people )
Het jonge, mooi gebouwde paard is voor het eerst in een voor hem vreemde omgeving. Zijn begeleidster heeft haar handen vol om hem bij zich te houden. Zijn hoofd omhoog, zijn lijf gespannen als een veer. Een ding is duidelijk: hij wil hier niet zijn. Vijf minuten later, Chris Irwin laat hem door zijn lichaamshouding zien dat er voor hem zal worden gezorgd, dat er niets is om bang voor te zijn. Het paard antwoordt door zijn hoofd omlaag te brengen, zijn mooi lijf te ontspannen. Gerustgesteld reageert hij op wat Chris van hem vraagt.
CAP Magazine | Belgium| Barbara Van Binsbergen | February 2011 | Read Article
Riversong Ranch Feature Article
Chris Irwin’s 25 years of international acclaim and horse industry expertise, combined with Kathryn Kincannon-Irwin’s 25 years as hotelier of small luxury properties come together in a most delightful, fulfilling manner in the creation of Riversong Ranch – an equine-inspired environment.
Irelands Equestrian Magazine | Ireland | Niamh O’Reilly | June 2010 | Read Article
Paardenfluisteraar laat stem horen
( Horse whisperer speaks out )
Allemaal leuk en aardig zo’n Wereldruiterspelen in Kentucky, waar honderden paarden schitteren in springconcoursen, dressuurringen, crossen, marathons en westernrijden. Maar wat vinden ze daar nou eigenlijk zelf van? Worden ze wel zo blij van status en gouden medailles? Of staan ze toch liever in de wei? Ach, konden ze maar praten, die viervoeters, dan wisten we wat…
De Telegraaf | The Netherlands | Masha De Jong | September 2010 | Read article
Chris Irwin teaches how to ‘speak’ horse in Lenoir City
“Ask not what your horse can do for you. Ask what you can do for your horse.” is Chris Irwin’s slogan. His training concept doesn’t start with teaching horses what to do; it starts with understanding their natural behavior and with communication in horse language. This language is an unspoken one and consists of body movements and postures that are often so subtle that Chris’ work looks almost like magic to the observer. He doesn’t like the expression “horse whisperer” but rather calls himself a “horse listener”.
Knoxville Horses Examiner | Adriane Lochner | Oct 24, 2010 | Read Article
Chris Irwin Principles – Very Cool
“I watched a fantastic Chris Irwin DVD called “The Round Pen Redefined.” I’m starting to like Chris Irwin a lot – his ability to interpret and influence body language with a dressage-like finesse is fascinating. (I just can never get over his name, however, for it always reminds me of that Crocodile Hunter guy – what was his name? Steve Irwin? Maybe they’re related. Probably not.)
Okay, so I decided to play with this. I had Maia in the small indoor – way bigger than a round pen, but not so big she could gallop around forever and ever. I just had her start to go, and applied all the Chris Irwin stuff… It was so cool how her liberty leading transformed! As she realized that she shouldn’t turn her hindquarters into me, she led up, turned, and followed me so much better. I could ask her to increase her speed (trot) or turn sharper without her leaving, even though I hadn’t “worked” on liberty leading, but on not turning her hindquarters to me. Or if she did drift away, it was quite easy to get her back, because her focus and bend was all there. It was like she had access to her hindquarters more.”
Cambria Horsemanship Training Diary | Aug 8, 2010 | Read the full Article
Horsesensing uses Chris Irwin’s method
“Rather than using the horse as a therapeutic tool to elicit emotions, Chris’s work involves the horse directly as a teacher. A horse’s respect, trust, focus and willingness is only earned when a human learns to balance their predator-based behaviors with the horse’s prey-based behaviors. What a horse needs to see in the one it willingly elects as its leader, be it horse or human, is the same character traits we want to see in ourselves. Learning to be the better horse translates literally, not just metaphorically, into becoming a better person.”
Horsesensing.com | Dr. Sally Broder, Psy.D. | Fall 2010 | Read More
Profile of Horse Trainer Chris Irwin
Chris Irwin’s Principals:
Irwin teaches that by becoming better leaders and improving our skills, especially our own body language, we can positively influence our horses.
Chris Irwin’s Background:
Irwin grew up in the city. Fueled by a lack of family support Irwin became an overachiever to prove his own self worth. During his school years Irwin set records and gathered awards. After high school, Irwin worked at a racetrack and found his true passion. Dissatisfied with the horse/human relationship he saw, he set out to learn from horses themselves, as a teamster, combined driving competitor and riding and driving wild Mustangs. He has become a popular clinician with the ability to turn around difficult horses. He operates Horsepower Productions and Riversong Ranch with his wife Kathryn.
Chris Irwin’s Tools:
Irwin does not sell gear specific to his own methods. Basic equipment is suggested when you sign up for a clinic.
Chris Irwin’s Accomplishments:
After working at Longacres Racetrack in Seattle Irwin became a teamster, training and driving draft horses. He has competed in combined driving and earned 18 U.S. National Championships in riding and driving events with Mustangs. Irwin has been called the “Dr. Phil for owners and riders” and lectures at universities and major horse expositions. He’s also appeared on CBC, PBS and Discovery Channel in connection with his work with Mustangs.
Chris Irwin’s Methods:
Irwin teaches how body language, balance and timing affect our message to the horse. Through two-day horsemanship clinics helps participants hone skills and solve specific problems. Irwin also offers equine assisted therapy.
About.com Guide | Katherine Blocksdorf | Read Article
[iframe: src=”http://books.google.com/books?id=UpvGlZ0-edQC&lpg=PP1&ots=T91IzeYMsi&dq=inauthor%3A%22Chris%20Irwin%22&pg=PP1&output=embed” frameborder=”0″ width=”100%” height=”874″ scrolling=”no”]