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...

In The Resnick Method Liberty Horsemanship, we place great emphasis on the practice of being in a meditative state of neutral when we are with our horses. It's a crucial aspect of our teachings that fosters a deeper bond between humans and horses. To begin this journey, we encourage our students to Share Territory with their horse,  sitting in a chair while the horse is at Liberty; without tack, in a free and open environment. This process gives the horse freedom and allows the human to attune themselves to the present moment, embracing a state of neutral awareness.

Being in the state of neutral means reaching a state of calm and focused awareness, free from distractions and what is often referred to as the "monkey mind." In this state, you are fully present in the moment, without dwelling on past events or worrying about the future. Your mind is clear and receptive, allowing you to connect deeply with the horse and the environment around you.

As we sit in a chair, embracing a...

As an instructor in The Resnick Method Liberty Horsemanship, a significant portion of my time is dedicated to guiding students through our Master Class, where we delve into the art of harnessing energy and intention to communicate effectively with their horses. Surprisingly, this skill appears to be one of the most challenging concepts for some students to put into practice. While they seem to grasp the idea intellectually, some encounter difficulties in maintaining alignment between their intentions and actions when interacting with their equine companions. Experiencing this is a natural part of learning horsemanship. It's something we all encounter in the beginning, but with practice, we'll grow and excel.

As horse lovers, we know that our equine partners are incredibly sensitive, perceptive to the subtlest cues. Beyond physical interactions, our emotions and energy play a profound role in shaping our horse's behavior and demeanor. This blog delves into the realm of energy...

Working with horses at liberty can be one of the most rewarding experiences, both for horse and human. A horse at liberty can freely express their natural tendencies and movements while the human learns to communicate with their equine partner by making choices that will bring harmony to the relationship. However, it’s essential to approach this kind of work with an open mind and humility. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of having a beginner’s mind when working with horses at liberty, and the value of starting each day with an empty cup.

Be in the present moment.

The present moment is where all the magic happens. A beginner’s mind enables you to focus on the moment and appreciate the horse’s beauty and natural behavior. Horses are present at all times, so why not take a leaf out of their book and be present during your time being with them? It’s when we are present that we can achieve the most profound and authentic experiences with...