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 emotions or ...

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?  Liberty T...

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 a...

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 state ...

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 and its i...

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 our horses.

Sharing Territory with y...

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 pause c...

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 each d...

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 possible! Could...

(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 help you, it gives wel...