Australian-based trainer Carlos Tabernaberri is known worldwide for the remarkable results he achieves, whether handling foals, starting young horses, improving the performance of competition and pleasure horses, or rehabilitating abused horses. Carlos has been described as the ‘next generation of horsemen’ and the ‘gentlest horseman yet to touch a horse’. He’s also been described as the ‘only horseman who truly puts the horse first’.
As Carlos grew up in Argentina, he watched the “traditional” way of “breaking in” horses, as it is called. Saddened by this approach, he decided he wanted to follow the horse, his master teacher. He became passionate about schooling horses by establishing a sound foundation through understanding and trust, not force. He learned from the horses themselves and, in return, made a moral contract with them to be their tireless advocate and to share this knowledge.
Carlos puts his heart and soul into sharing “what the horse wants us to know”. The results, through the horses, speak for themselves. Perhaps that success is because Carlos sees a bit of himself in every horse he works with and he knows how to help them (and their handlers) move beyond past hurts to achieve their full potential.
“As a trainer and educator, my focus is on the horses and people with whom I work and on helping them to achieve their full potential”, says Carlos. “We shouldn’t be divided by discipline; we should be united by good horsemanship. Regardless of what we call it – natural, Western, English – good horsemanship is about consistently considering the horse’s wellbeing first and foremost.”
To that end, Carlos often tells people, “Having success with horses doesn’t depend on how long you’ve been around them. Horses don’t read résumés. However, while books and DVDs can give you knowledge, experience comes only by working with the horse. They are the real teachers of that. To have success, you need to look for approaches to working with your horse that make sense to both of you. Do not simply follow tradition or what someone else has told you is best. You will know what works for both you and your horse.”
Carlos puts his words into action not only with the horses and people he works with privately, but also through the numerous equine charities to which he donates his time, skill and financial support in an effort to improve the plight of horses. In July 2012, that work was recognised when Quest Equine Welfare awarded Carlos their prestigious annual Equitarian Award for his passionate advocacy on behalf of the horse.