If you’ve been following my blog for some time, you know that I believe a relationship with a horse should be built on a deep heart connection. Before we introduce traditional training methods, we must first take the time to bond with the horse—shaping his character and attitude so that he moves in harmony with us. My focus is on building a personal connection and demonstrating leadership in a way that creates a “magical” partnership between horse and rider.

This magic happens when the horse instinctively understands our intentions, responding without hesitation or confusion. In this state of unity, the partnership mirrors the effortless flow of horses running together in a free-moving herd. Such a connection brings a sense of well-being to both horse and human. Without enthusiasm, a horse is unlikely to give an exceptional performance—whether on the ground, under saddle, or in competition. However, this enthusiasm can be nurtured long before introducing tack or structured training. E...

One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned from Carolyn Resnick, and the horses themselves,  is that the strongest connections don’t come from training techniques or structured exercises—they come from simply being together.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed time and time again how horses naturally gravitate toward people who take the time to listen, observe, and respect their space. This is why Sharing Territory is at the heart of Carolyn Resnick's approach to building a relationship with a horse. It’s not about control or performance—it’s about developing a mutual trust that makes everything else effortless.

In this blog, I’ll share what Sharing Territory truly means, why it’s so powerful, and how it can transform the way you connect with your horse. If you’ve ever longed for a deeper, more intuitive bond with your horse, this practice might just change everything.

Sharing Territory: The Key to a Natural Bond with Your Horse

The best way to build a deep bond with your horse is th...

We often approach horses with ideas about what we should teach them. It is true that we have valuable lessons to share, but horses are here to teach us just as much as we are here to teach them. They experience the world without the burden of preconceived notions, responding to each moment with instinct, presence, and authenticity. They do not judge based on appearances, nor do they carry the weight of past regrets or future anxieties. They find deep fascination in the simplest things, a shift in the wind, the feel of the earth beneath their hooves and they express their emotions freely and without hesitation. Horses live fully immersed in the present moment, seeing everything with the clarity that comes from deep awareness. In this sense, they are our greatest teachers.

When we approach horses with the awareness that they are guiding us, we naturally become more present. We must listen, observe, and respond to their lead, rather than imposing rigid expectations. Instead of assuming the...

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 exercises before you get on to...

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 “YES!”

This first exercise requires ve...

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 condition...

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 them.

When we un...

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 “Emotional Equity” – a ...

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 up for lif...

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 looking to expand my dressage business. I had no i...