Natural Horsemanship

Written by Sidney Ann Patterson

atural Horsemanship is an area of increasing interest in the equine community. Well, what is Natural Horsemanship exactly? In a very basic sense, it is the art of working with, training and riding horses in a manner that works with the horse’s behaviors, instincts and unique personalities in an easy and kind manner. I’d like to introduce you to Bluffton’s own Natural Horseman, James Cooler of Cooler Horsemanship.

How did your interest in horses begin?

I moved from the Lowcountry as a second grader to a small town in northeast Montana called Wolf Point, which is located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. My Dad, Don Cooler, was the local doctor. It was truly a western town where horses, cows and rodeos were among the largest influences. My Dad quickly got to know a number of the ranchers in the area, which gave us the opportunity to work and brand cows. Needless to say, it was a thrilling experience for me because I had only been trail riding before the move. As I got older, my family started competing in team roping and team penning.

How did Cooler Horsemanship come about?

We spent so much time with our horses that my father started studying great horsemen such as Tom Dorrance, Pat Parelli, Ray Hunt, John Lyons and others. Between studying their horsemanship methods and working with all of our different horses, my Dad started to come up with his own way of explaining how to communicate with and understand horses. By the time I was a freshman in high school, Cooler Horsemanship was born. We started traveling the state of Montana putting on horsemanship clinics in between competing in rodeos. That summer on the road was an awesome experience! Watching, learning and working with my father at all of our clinics and working with so many different horses was the most valuable experience I’ve had in developing my own horsemanship skills.

What brought you back to South Carolina?

Well, we continued to put on clinics through my high school years and did a few more after I started college. Then in 2002 my Dad was diagnosed with a primary brain tumor, which pretty much put the brakes on all of our lives. We moved back to South Carolina for him to receive treatments in Columbia where he graduated from medical school. When the treatments were over, we moved back to Bluffton so he could be closer to his side of the family; he was raised in Ridgeland. In 2004, he passed away. My Mom and brothers moved back to Montana and I decided to stay here, in Bluffton.

What brought about the decision to rejuvenate Cooler Horsemanship?

I’ve always had a lifelong passion for working with horses and understanding what makes them tick. Working with horses was one of my Dad’s greatest passions as well, and learning how to communicate with them on a deeper level always fascinated us. To me, there is nothing better than sharing that information with other horsemen and women and seeing the benefits it has on the relationship others are able to develop with their own horses. I believe that it is our responsibility as horse owners to have the knowledge needed to understand things from the horse’s point of view, to learn to communicate on their level. It’s about willing cooperation as opposed to forced cooperation. With the right tools and techniques, everyone has the ability to establish the attitudes and relationships of willing cooperation and willing communication with their horse. And so, it is in my father’s tradition that I carry on Cooler Horsemanship.

So, how does one sign on or get in touch with you?

I work and train out of Rose Dhu Creek Equestrian Center. My half and full day private sessions are becoming more and more popular. I also do Cooler Horsemanship Clinics there on a regular basis, where I teach safe and effective ways of equine communication. Auditors are always welcome to attend. For more information, folks can go to my website www.coolerhorsemanship.com, email me at jamescooler@coolerhorsemanship.com or call (843) 815-7878 (Rose Dhu Creek).

Thank you for your time. We wish you the best of everything as you continue to grow Cooler Horsemanship and teach others how to develop a deep understanding of how to communicate with their horses in order to maximize performance and create an unbreakable bond.

It was such a pleasure to sit down with James and talk about his passion for horses. His father, Don, must be smiling down on him and be so proud of this fine young man who is carrying on his tradition of equine communication. James’ next clinic will be held August 17th – 19th.
Go check it out.