The Waterhole Rituals is a method of Liberty Training™ that I developed many years ago. They became an essential part of my dressage and bridle-less riding program in Sonoma, California.

By practicing The Waterhole Rituals as a warm-up exercise, before getting in the saddle,  you will have a connected horse that sees you as his leader, feels safe in your company, and is willing to do anything you ask!

The purpose of The Waterhole Rituals is often misunderstood. Although it is perfect for those who only want to interact with their horse on the ground, it shouldn't be overlooked that its value goes far beyond that. 

Horses can be inconsistent in their behavior when not fully connected to their rider. They can be connected with you one day and disconnected another, safe to ride one day and the next day not, sometimes too slow and other times too active. They may, at times, be unwilling, or can be unfocused. Warming up your horse with the Waterhole Rituals...

Herd-bound horses can be difficult to manage if you force them to separate from other horses they don’t want to leave. For this reason alone, it’s important to help a horse overcome the overwhelming need to stay with the herd.

When working with horses at liberty, it’s crucial to remove herd-bound behavior to help your horse focus on you and allow the connection between you to grow. When I first began Liberty Training in The Carolyn Resnick Method, my horses were extremely herd-bound, and it was challenging to work with them individually. Carolyn shared some exercises with me to help them overcome the fear of being separated, and now I’m going to share them with you. These exercises are a fun way to train your horse to release herd-bound behavior. It’s certainly more enjoyable for horses to play these games rather than being forced to accept separation. In the Resnick Method, we always seek ways to connect with our horses, aiming for a resounding...

The most important aspect of Sharing Territory is that you will begin to communicate with your horse using your natural instincts and abilities. You will learn how to use trial and error to guide your choices. Trial and error, beyond being watchful, is the best tool you have to interact with your horse only when he feels relaxed and in harmony with you.

From Sharing Territory, you will become increasingly aware of the joy that exists within your own being. You will enjoy life and your relationship with your horse without needing an agenda. As this awareness grows, you will discover your true self in a state of gratitude, which will develop your natural ability to communicate with horses.

Horses know true freedom and always strive to maintain it. Despite being bred by humans for thousands of years, they have not been truly domesticated and have not lost their instincts for freedom.

Horses gravitate toward harmony, unlike humans, who gravitate toward problems, solutions, and...

In everyday life with horses, it's easy to separate our interactions into "training sessions" and "regular activities." However, what if I told you that every single interaction with your horse—from grooming to feeding, from riding to turnout—is a form of training?

Consider this: horses are incredibly perceptive animals. They pick up on our body language, tone of voice, and even our energy levels. Every time we interact with them, we are communicating something, whether we realize it or not. This means that even seemingly mundane activities like leading your horse from the pasture to the barn or grooming them before a ride are teaching moments.

So, why is it important to recognize that everything we do with our horses is training? Because it shifts our perspective on the relationship dynamic. Instead of viewing training as something separate from daily interactions, we start to see it as a continuous process that shapes the horse's behavior and our relationship with...

Establishing a deep connection with your horse is a journey that involves effective communication, mutual understanding, and respect. One approach gaining attention in the equestrian world is the concept of asking only "yes" questions to foster attunement rather than resistance. Carolyn Resnick named this “The Entry Point of Connection”. Let's explore how this technique can enhance your relationship with your horse.

The Power of "Yes" Questions and Finding Your Entry Point of Connection:

Connection with your horse goes beyond mere obedience; it's about creating an environment where your horse feels acknowledged and valued. Discovering your Entry Point of Connection is simply about asking your horse for something you know will elicit a positive response. Asking "yes" questions involves framing requests in a positive light, encouraging a cooperative response from your horse. This approach not only helps you avoid potential issues but also contributes to building ...

The easiest way to develop your horsemanship is to take the time to learn how to get a horse to follow your lead at liberty. That way, you become the true student of the horse. Connecting with a horse at liberty gives the horse a sense of freedom to respond naturally. At liberty, you can more easily see how to grow a deeper connection with a horse. The other aspect of communicating with a horse at liberty is that the horse will trust you more. This brings out the side of the horse that wants to follow your lead.

Horses can do anything we want them to do; in fact, they really do not need to be trained to perform. The trick is learning how to ask a horse to do what he will naturally do independently. It is just a matter of communicating in a way that would invite a horse to respond.  

Forcing a horse when he does not want to be controlled will develop a horse that needs to be forcibly controlled to perform. Horses can hide their true feelings when forced, and it can set them...

Have you ever gone out to train your horse something new, and nothing seemed to go right? One of the things that can go wrong when training a horse is that once you have gained a horse’s trust, the trust is taken for granted. When you start focusing on performance training, you can lose harmony and trust by focusing on the horse’s performance. “Trainer’s mind” takes over by pushing for results. When this happens, the “equis-tact” is lost.

Chuck Grant (Author of American Dressage) had six grand Prix dressage horses he had trained. I admired his approach in training them. I had a chance to ride several of his horses over a two-day period. He offered me a coaching position for an exhibition dressage drill team. I didn’t take the job because I had a training center of my own, but it let me know he liked my approach. We connected deeply. I had gone to his ranch to meet him to see if I could get him to endorse my ability as a trainer. I was...

The art of horse-human connection is an endeavor of pure, authentic resonance. At the heart of this connection lies a fundamental principle: neutrality. Imagine a state where thoughts are tranquil, emotions are serene, and energies are in harmony—a state similar to a calm lake, mirroring the tranquility of the surrounding forest. This is the essence of being in neutral.

The Significance of Neutrality in Horse Meditation

In the realm of horse meditation, neutrality is the keystone that facilitates profound bonding and understanding between the equine and the human. It's a state where your being is free from the turbulence of distractions, worries, or preconceived notions—a state where you are an open channel, receptive and responsive to the energies of the horse.

What is Neutrality?

Neutrality is often misconceived as a lack of emotion or involvement. However, it's quite the opposite. It's about being fully present, engaged, and receptive without being swayed by extreme...

For those of us fortunate enough to have an innate affinity for horses or developed a childhood fascination inspired by literary gems like "King of the Wind," "Black Beauty," and movies like "The Black Stallion," the prospect of a magical relationship with a horse has always been appealing. In our youth, there were no barriers to our dreams; the bond with horses was a natural extension of our being, effortlessly fueled by love and a sense of adventure.

Fast forward to adulthood, where the magic of horsemanship may have, for some, taken a back seat to the demands and noise of the grown-up world. The spontaneous connection we used to share with our horses has, for some, evolved into a more practical and less lively experience.

But what if we could recapture that youthful dream of a profound bond with our horses while enhancing our training program? What if training became a mutually shared partnership, where the horse actively participates in the process, free from coercion? ...

In the realm of horsemanship, particularly within the context of liberty training, the interplay between our expectations and the horse's innate nature becomes a delicate dance. Exploring this dynamic journey opens doors to self-discovery, deepens the bond with our equine companions, and unveils the profound lessons that unfold when we release rigid expectations.

The Dance of Expectations:

As humans, we often bring a set of expectations into our interactions with horses. Whether it's anticipating a specific response during liberty training or envisioning a flawless connection, these expectations can shape our experiences. However, horses, being intuitive beings, respond not only to our cues but also to the energy and emotions we project.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Expectations, when rigidly held, can lead to challenges in horsemanship. Horses, with their individual personalities and instincts, may not always align with our preconceived notions. Instead of viewing these moments as...