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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...
Training horses at liberty is all about building trust and clear communication between the horse and the trainer. It requires patience, understanding and respect for their natural instincts. One of the most powerful training aids that can be used in this process is the PAUSE. The pause is a moment of stillness in which the trainer stops all movement and communication with the horse, allowing the horse to process and respond to what has been asked of him/her. In this blog post, we will explore why the pause is such an effective tool and how it can be used in training horses at liberty.
The pause is effective in training horses at liberty for several reasons. First of all, it gives the horse time to process and respond to the trainer's request. Horses are intelligent animals, but they need time to think and understand what is being asked of them. By pausing and giving the horse this time, the trainer is showing respect for the horse's intelligence and learning style.
Secondly, the...
If you're like most horse owners, you want to develop a strong, trusting relationship with your horse. After all, this magical connection is what makes working with horses so much fun! But how can you be sure that your horse trusts you? And more importantly, what should you do if he doesn't trust you? In this blog post, we will discuss the signs of trust in horses and how to re-establish trust if it has been violated.
Many things go into building a trusting relationship with your horse. It is important to be able to read his/her body language and understand if he/she is comfortable with what you are doing. Horses are prey animals, so they can be very sensitive to the slightest change in their environment or the behavior of those around them. If you are not sure whether your horse trusts you, watch for these signs: Does he come to you when you call him? Does he walk around with you without being led with tack? Does he willingly join you in the activities you have planned for him...
Today I was on Pinterest searching for a new recipe, and a post caught my eye. It said, "how could something this easy be so good"? Immediately my mind flashed over to my work, helping horses overcome a fear of humans and helping humans understand the language of horses. Why do many of us conclude that something so easy could NOT be so good?? I wanted to speak about this subject as it is often overlooked.
Recently, in our Resnick Method Liberty Training FB group, people were commenting on one post that a woman made about the unbelievable shift in the relationship with her horse since she began practicing The Waterhole Rituals. She said it was like magic; it seemed too easy. Many people commented on the magical shift in their horse's behavior since learning to practice Carolyn Resnick's Liberty Training method. When I read that post, it hit me! Of course, I know this information and believe in it, obviously, but I don't think that people understand that it is indeed...
(Sunset meditation on our arena fence at Dances With Horses Ranch in Costa Rica)
Why is this practice so good for you and for your horse?
We’re all guilty of reaching for our phones first thing in the morning to try and wake ourselves up, but is this really the best way to start the day? Whether we’re reading negative news stories or checking social media, our phones have the potential to ruin our mornings before they’ve even begun.
Starting the day with a morning meditation, with or without your horse, gives you time to get in touch with your body and mind before you start making decisions, and it can give you an immediate mood boost for the day. It has the power to increase your productivity at work and during your daily activities. This will help you to focus on the important things in life before you get the day started: unity, compassion and gratitude.
When possible we encourage you to take this time for meditation to your horse. Not only does meditation...
Horsemanship is an art and, like any art, it requires practice and patience to perfect. One of the most important aspects of horsemanship is learning to share a soft feel with your horse. This is best accomplished through Liberty Training®, which allows the horse and rider to develop a deep connection and communication without the use of harsh aids. When both horse and rider share a soft feel, they are able to move together as one. In a soft feel the horse's muscles are unlocked and elastic allowing him to perform beyond his natural ability.
After training horses for twenty years, I opened the door to dressage and began an earnest study of dressage techniques for training horses. I was attracted to dressage because I thought it was the highest level of horsemanship that uses light aids with a soft feel. What I wanted more than anything to share with a horse was unity and harmony; that centaur connection where the horse and rider are one.
Years ago, as I was reaching...
This is a big topic today, from the ground to the saddle. People are in a search to find “FEEL”
No matter what clinics you attend, horse trainer’s advice you get, or method of training you choose, the thing that always comes up is finding Feel. However, Feel is not usually taught because the main focus is on training the horse rather than the person.
I was a natural with it came to Feel. My Dad said that it can not be taught. “Carolyn, you either have it, or you don't.” At the time, I felt he was wrong, and then I knew what I would do for a living. I decided I was going to teach others how to connect with a horse to acquire Feel. That is where the magic happens!
You can be born with Feel, and I believe it can also be taught, but people still spend years not finding their way to Feel. What stands in their way is lack of connection with their horse. They are more focused training their horse for performance and removing...
A few months ago I was teaching a Resnick Method Liberty Training® clinic (The Waterhole Rituals™) and at the end of the clinic the students were sharing their “aha” moments and one student shared with the group that the reason that she resonated with our training method, and how we communicate with horses, was because we step INTO their world, not ON their world. This is a very important concept and why I am so passionate about sharing this way of “being” with horses.
One of the most important skills for sharing the horses’ world is listening to their language. I believe that most horse owners want to build a connection and trust with their horse, but often they do not know how to communicate with a horse in a language he understands.
If you want to begin to build a deeper bond and develop a more trusting relationship with a horse you need to understand the...
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