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5 Things to Avoid While Training a Horse at Liberty
Liberty Training is the foundation of all other training methods and practices with horses. Almost any issue you are experiencing with your horse can be resolved by creating a deep bond and connection with the horse as well as understanding the natural instincts of horses. The very essence in Liberty Training is to allow the horse to express himself freely and to WANT to be a part of whatever you, the horse owner, has in mind. To accomplish having a deep bond, we must use a language the horse is naturally familiar with.
Although you may follow one of the many natural horsemanship training methods out there, there are some very important elements that most people are NOT aware of, that can easily create a block in your future relationship with your equine companion.
In this article, we will share with you 5 essential things to AVOID while practicing Liberty Training, and why it is so important. These will be a part of your everyday practice that will make all the difference in the future success of training your horse!!
1. Never Use Tack at Liberty
Tack, including halters and ropes, are used and are essential in most all horse training techniques. Liberty Training®, however, should be done without it. A horse at liberty should be able to express himself freely. Although with tack, he/she will do as you say, he will be doing it out of submission rather than at his free will.
The second a horse has a halter on, he knows he is "caught." Mentally the horse feels trapped and will do what is necessary to please whoever is "in charge." It is much like Stockholm syndrome, where the horse falls in love with its captor.
Wouldn't you like to know that your horse wants to connect with you? That he is there making all the right moves because there is a true connection, rather than a forced relationship?
If you want that authentic bond with amazing training results at Liberty, ditch the tack.
2. Never Use Force
Forcing a horse to do something brings on a dominant/submissive type of relationship. Eventually, a horse may do what you ask, but he/she is going to resist and challenge you every step of the way.
The idea in Liberty Training is to find harmony. To look for a way to reach an entry point where he/she can relate and is not only willing but is excited and enjoys working with you. Creating Fear by force will only set back the training and result in a tired horse that does not trust you.
If you want to work with a horse that comes ready and excited to work, look for the Entry Point of Connection with your horse. Ask yourself, "what can I do with my horse that I am not afraid to do, and that I will get a YES". And, pay close attention to how you may be forcing what he/she doesn't want to do without even realizing it.
If you are interested in learning how to discover what works for your horse, click here to set up a free strategy call with us NOW.
3. Don't Carry Treats on Your Body
From the time we were children, the first thing we wanted to do when we saw a horse was give him/her a treat. Why? Because we knew if we had a carrot or a big juicy apple, the horse would come to "greet" us even though he didn't know us.
When liberty training we are looking for the horse to want to be with us from the relationship/connection we share with him, not because we have food on us. The point of this method is to create a willing, connected horse so, if we train with food/treats on us at all times, the horse will only be there for the food. He/she will not perform the same later if you do not have treats on you, resulting in a stubborn horse.
If you do NOT have food on you while you are training, you know he enjoys your company and desires to work with you, which is precisely what you are looking for during Liberty Training.
This does not mean that you should not reward excellence with an occasional carrot, just that you don't want to have them on you at all times.
4. Never Drill a Horse
A lot of times horse trainers push a horse beyond its limits. Over working a horse will cause him/her to feel stressed, leaving him with a bad taste in his mouth. The trick is to leave on a good note. Work your horse in short windows and ALWAYS finish with success!! The next day your horse will not be stressed and will want to work, leaving room for further advancement in his/her training.
The short clip to the left shows our Master Trainer Nancy Zintsmaster finishing up class with some playtime!
5. Never Work With a Horse In An Area He is Not Comfortable In
This could look like: pacing the fence, standing at the gate, frantically running around, or looking outside of the space that he is in. All of this can be a sign of the horse feeling contained against his will. Listen to your instincts to know if your horse feels comfortable in the environment, or not.
The Resnick Method Original Liberty Training Has Made An Impact On So Many Lives, Both Human And Equine
Carolyn Resnick
Founder and creator of CRM horsemanship, Original Liberty Training Method, studied the language and behavior of wild horses ever since she was a little girl. She knew from an early age what she was here to do, and has never stopped since then teaching and helping us understand the horse's true nature. In the 1970's Carolyn originated the term "Liberty Training®".
Nancy Zintsmaster
Co-owner, CEO and Master Trainer of the CRM Horsemanship grew up riding bareback as a little girl, and a horse owner in her adult life. But it wasn't until she rescued six horses in Costa Rica that she found her calling in Liberty Training. Naturally gifted, she left a successful career to solely focus on helping other horse lovers get to where she is today.
Carolyn and Nancy Have an Undeniable, Intuitive Gift and Passion for Horses.
