Taming Wild: The Compelling Origins of Freedom Based Training and the Promise It Holds for Horses with Humans

Discover the transformative path to training horses without tools, force, or food―just trust, timing, and freedom.

In Taming Wild, acclaimed horsewoman Elsa Sinclair shares the deeply personal and groundbreaking journey that led to the creation of Freedom Based Training―a method built on mutual respect and choice, not domination. What began as a daring experiment with an untouched Mustang named Myrnah evolved into a globally acclaimed documentary and now, a powerful, page-turning memoir.

This book chronicles Sinclair’s decades-long struggle with traditional training methods and her quest to find a better way―a way that felt right to both horse and human. Through compelling stories and honest introspection, she invites readers behind the scenes of her revolutionary year-long project with Myrnah: no ropes, no halters, no treats―just the freedom to say “no” and the hope that “yes” would come.

You’ll explore:
• The emotional and ethical dilemmas of mainstream horse training
• The principles of Freedom Based Training and how they evolved
• The raw, unfiltered triumphs and setbacks of forging trust without coercion
• Practical insights for applying this approach to your own horsemanship

Whether you're a lifelong equestrian, an advocate for animal welfare, or simply someone seeking a deeper bond with your horse, Taming Wild offers an inspiring new perspective that dares to ask: What if training could be a choice built on trust and understanding

For Elsa Sinclair, horse training has been a lifelong pursuit, but her career took a turn when one day a student asked her if horses really enjoyed being ridden, and more importantly, if they knew they had a choice in the matter. Without an answer for her student, Sinclair set off on a quest to find one: If horses were given a choice, would they let us ride them--without force, control, or treats to lure them? With a Mustang mare straight off the range and a desire to connect using none of the usual horse training "tools," just body language, Sinclair began to explore the possibilities. Her project led to a documentary called Taming Wild and ultimately to the method of horsemanship she now teaches: Freedom Based Training(R) (tamingwild.com).