I have a student I want to tell you about today because she has used my Method in an interesting way and it might help or inspire others to use it this way. To give you some history she once had many horses of her own and ran a successful riding, training and equine therapy business. Since she shut down her business and was without horses, an opportunity presented itself years later to help a stranger with an Icelandic Pony in need of attention.

When she arrived at the farm, she said she was immediately disappointed… she had hoped that there would be a space large enough to practice my Liberty Method… but the pony was cute and she could tell that she needed him as much as he needed her so they began their journey.

*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details

 … Read more

Read Full Post »

Earlier on the blog, sometime in January, I introduced the idea of a school or educational center called the “Sorraia Center”. For those of you that are interested in the school and the ideas I have for it, I have written about it here and will continue to develop the direction of its studies and post these ideas on the blog occasionally for you to follow and support.

My vision for the Sorraia Center beyond the cultural studies of horses is to highlight how students and teachers can work together as a team in reaching the goals of the school’s programs. In our culture today, we have lost team working skills and the deep fulfillment and personal well-being that comes from serving community and which I want to bring back to humanity.

*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details

 … Read more

Read Full Post »

Hi again. I’m glad my post from last week generated so many interesting comments, it’s always good to hear other people’s experiences, isn’t it?

Before I continue with my advice on Stallions and if you haven’t already seen it in the HorseConscious newsletter…

Right, we were talking about Stallions and that they can be difficult to handle, especially if they feel you don’t respect them or you try to lower their position.

*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details

 … Read more

Read Full Post »

Today I would like to talk to you a little about mares, geldings and stallions and how they respond differently when communicating with us.

Mares can be moody. In these periods I find that if I take the time to connect with them slowly in the beginning before riding or training on the days they are moody, they will come around and forget their sensitivity and work with me as consistently as they would on any other day. If I cannot turn them around on the days they are moody, then I give them the time off they need. Mares can be very fussy about trust issues regarding strangers and even with other horses. In my experience, mares will try harder than stallions and geldings to please you and when they don’t please you, they get nervous and defensive. I think mares are more focused on reading the intentions of people than geldings and stallions. Mares can have strong opinions on what is right and what is wrong in regards to human behavior. Mares get along with other mares better than they do with geldings. I have noticed all horses may prefer one sex or color of horses to another. … Read more

Read Full Post »

Hello. Here is an exciting YouTube clip from Robin Gates, a certified coach in my Method and student over many years. I am sharing this clip because it shows the results of building a partnership from the ground using the Waterhole Rituals and how effective it is on Warmbloods to develop trust and a working bond.

In this clip, you can see that Paulo has developed a wonderful gas pedal and brake; a great connection with Robin and wonderful a work ethic in full focus and he has an undeniably enthusiastic nature. His ears are not back and he is relaxed and forward. The connection that Robin gained with the Waterhole Rituals translates to the saddle with the same integrity.

*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details

 … Read more

Read Full Post »

Connection is a two way street. To truly get along with a horse in shared partnership activities we need to have the social leadership skills. If we can keep adjusting our leadership to be more flexible, understandable, and intelligent the horse is more willing to form a loyal partnership and put a great effort into his performance. It’s all about being present in the moment and fully awake and knowing exactly what to ask a horse to do that starts the dance, backed with the belief that your horse will perform and then letting the horse perform without holding him to it.

A good equestrian rule to follow is that force and resistance should almost never be met by force in the training of a horse. When you lose the dance you make the connection back rather than using pressure. Slowing things down gets rid of the need to force. You can make a strong demand without force when the horse feels responsible and knows the rules. Horse love rules and boundaries and even enjoy having them enforced. The most important part about enforcing a rule to a horse is to use proper timing and attitude.

*** To read … Read more

Read Full Post »

Well, thank you so much, what an amazing response to my question! I said it would be interesting and so it turned out to be. Mark has compiled a top 10 list of your ‘wants’, which I will post at the end.

As you remember from last week, I was talking about horsemanship, trust and connection, which lead me on to asking the question about what you would like your partner to be. Now the reason I asked this was, and this is going to sound a bit out of place, but a horse wants to be treated like a woman wants to be treated.

*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details

 … Read more

Read Full Post »