The Mission

The mission of the Nature of Natural is to promote the welfare, ethical treatment and compassionate training of horses, stock dogs and livestock through the principles of applied behavioral science and equitation science in association with other likeminded groups, horsemen and professionals through research, seminars and educational events using collaborative efforts whenever and wherever possible.

Why

We came to a conclusion in 2004 when Tim wrote the Nature of Natural that in order to help horses and livestock, we needed to dispel some longstanding ideas of traditional horsemanship and stockmanship that do not serve the best interest of the animals or their human caretakers utilizing science based critical thinking. We believe compassionate training should be based in known facts and science as opposed to speculation, myth and opinion. We believe that education is the path to improving the quality of life and training of all animals.

How

The field of equitation science and applied behavioral science gives us insight into a horse’s nature and reality.  It supports the methods of great horsemen over the centuries, unmasks the mystery and puts a solid foundation under the rationale. Using the principles of Bud Williams low-stress methods brings the same type off applied behavioral science to handling livestock and stock dogs.

We are members of the International Society of Equitation Science and have presented at the Progressive Equine Behavior and Training forum for two years.

Where

The Nature of Natural team is available to answer any questions you may have and are available for consultation. We collaborate with experts in the field of horses, stock dogs and stockmanship who support our mission statement and look forward to sharing our research with likeminded people who are interested in connecting the dots of knowledge.

Who

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Ginny Chase Elder

As a lifelong student of classical riding, Ginny Chase Elder has studied with some of the best horsemen of our time, such as Charles de Kunffy, Arthur Kottas and Dr. Gerd Heuschmann.

As a lifelong student of classical riding, Ginny Chase Elder has studied with some of the best horsemen of our time, such as Charles de Kunffy, Arthur Kottas and Dr. Gerd Heuschmann. She continues to this day in a never-ending quest for knowledge and understanding of horses and “their” humans. In 1988 she attended the first certification class of the American Riding Instructors Association and is certified to Advanced levels in several disciplines. In addition, she is a certified TAG instructor.

Her students gain a deeper awareness of the horse’s view of the world, along with the application of appropriate training theories and an understanding of the human's ethical responsibility for the well-being of all animals. She is known for her passionate love of horses and her enthusiasm in sharing her knowledge with students committed to gaining more rewarding horse-human relationships.

Ginny is a Practitioner with the International Society of Equitation Science and has taught both Western and English riding, including jumping, dressage and driving. Ginny was the recipient of the Rosemary Ames Award from the American Humane Association for outstanding work in the field of humane education.

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Tim McGaffic

Tim McGaffic has studied with many of the great legends of western training.

Tim McGaffic has studied with many of the great legends of western training. He remains dedicated to seeking greater knowledge and a deeper understanding of horses and livestock. Tim McGaffic was introduced to Ray Hunt during the 1980s while working with difficult horses on a Colorado Ranch. That experience changed his thinking about how to handle horses and set him on a journey to search out Tom and Bill Dorrance and horseman of similar philosophy.

Tim is well known for his Low-Stress Stockmanship, his work with wild mustangs and horsemanship clinics. Tim conducted horse clinics and taught low stress cattle management around the country, predominantly in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Hawaii, North and South Carolina, Florida and Virginia. Tim became the ranch manager of two large ranches in Hawaii that had been abandoned for years. Tim’s experience as a Holistic manager, ranch manager, horse and cow guy, made him an ideal candidate for the job getting the ranches under control.

Tim developed “The Nature of Natural”, a philosophy based essentially on the laws of nature and Applied Behavioral Science. Tim was the mastermind who planned and successfully implemented the first low stress gather of the Mesa Verde National Park wild horses. Recently he was in a video produced by John Saint Ryan "Get the Mind and the Feet will Follow".

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We have organized and produced a wide range of events based on the Natural of Natural belief in applied behavioral science, the related field of equitation science and Stockmanship based on the principles of Bud William. Under the umbrella of applied behavioral science, we explore the welfare and ethical care and training of horses, stock dogs and livestock and how that can successfully be used with more traditional methods to enhance all disciplines

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Tim McGaffic is a certified holistic educator who specializes in commodity logistics. Tim's hands on experience in ranch management and property development brings real life knowledge and business savvy to any operation, current or still on the drawing board Tim is well-known for his logistical expertise and problem-solving skills and has a keen 3D perspective of sustainability balanced in the real world of business