Today I would like to share with you a video by one of my students using the Uberstreichen Exercises. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

This video clip I made yesterday.

I put the camera up in a tree and started. Before starting I have been reading on Carolyn’s UE Thursday blog and I had printed out the first two exercises and read them over a couple of times and also watched Farah’s and Carolyn/Alexandra’s videoclips on UE. So after the theoretical preparations, I did the mental preparations which was to clear my mind. I clear my mind by watching some video clips of horses, it can be the Unbridled Spirit Videos or listening to a few music pieces. I did not watch the Waterhole reflection DVD yet of Carolyn, but this is the kind of video you can use to clear your mind.

You may notice in the video that I am not distracted of the other horses and I am very focused on what I am doing. My mind is right there 100%. Through my journey so far with Carolyn, one thing that has surprised me the most is how much of what you

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I have many friends who are trainers, coaches and skilled riders, who I enjoy talking with on the subject of horses and how to get along with them. Yesterday morning I was having a conversation on the phone with Vincent Spiaggia a friend of mine who is a lifetime student of horses and teacher of horsemanship, like me. Many times we get onto the subject of the different methods of training that have been used over the ages in horsemanship, dressage and other schools of training. Talking with Vincent is always a rewarding adventure.

We were both remarking on the fact that if you choose the right approach with a horse when riding, then less training is necessary. Also how training from the ground translates so beautifully to the saddle if you take the right approach.

The key to this is to have the same considerations in the saddle that you have from the ground, then the connection you have with a horse trained at liberty will translate to the saddle. People who don’t believe that groundwork does translate to the saddle, do not understand the importance of relationship and the true significance of partnership with the horse. From a … Read more

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Hello. So sorry if you were expecting a blog post yesterday but it was one of those days and I didn’t get round to finishing this till late. Anyway, here is the fourth Uberstreichen Exercise for you to have a go at.

Before I get into it though, each time you practice the exercises, start them from the beginning and do them in order. Remember your horse needs to be willing and in a good mood before you start. Before I start training, I spend at least 15 minuets Sharing Territory with my horse in whatever place he is kept. This way the glue and the connection is always re-established. Stand in front of your horse on a dropped line when you begin each session. Pause for at least a minute and then walk around your horse. If your horse begins to walk off, take the rope and lead him back to the spot he was standing. Hold him for a moment and then release him the moment he is still and say “whoa”.

So, the fourth Uberstreichen Exercise is done like the third exercise with an addition of a halt when you are asking the horse to carry his … Read more

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This was a very good question from Elizabeth in Thursday’s classroom and I thought it would be useful to share my answer with you too.

Elizabeth’s question was how the 7 steps of liberty training I taught in my first video Liberty Training are related to the Waterhole Rituals. Well, the short answer is that they are basically the same although I have obviously continued to develop my Method a great deal since that first video came out. For example, the 7 steps of liberty training I taught back then didn’t incorporate treats as a training aid and the video did not go into as much detail and had fewer related programs.

I realized over many years that I needed to give people more information on how to use my Method because most people have little practice in interacting with a horse without fences or tack. I needed to find a way to give the horse more reason to want to connect with a human and “food” was the answer. By introducing the use of treats, it helped to develop the bond and keep the horse motivated to figure out what the person might want when the person was not … Read more

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The purpose of the third UE exercise is to teach your horse to lower is head while he is walking. The third exercise is done in the same manner as the second exercise. You will start each day with the first exercise and then when it feels good you move on to the second exercise. When you feel the horse is really connected and listening to your “rein aids,” which are the requests you give your horse through the halter and the rope, you then move to the third exercise.

Start yourself and your horse in “companion walking” on a none influencing looped line on a 20-meter circle. Do some walk-halt requests to get the connection in rhythm and team work going between you. Halt about every 10 feet. When your horse would slow down and speed up with you in companion-walk without the influence of the rope, you can begin the next part of the third exercise. While you maintain a steady speed in walk ask your horse to lower its head while he is walking in the same way you did the second exercise. Lower you head and tuck your nose a bit and request that your horse … Read more

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Hello. Today I have a story for you about the power of patience, persistence and also respect, which I hope you will find very revealing.

I was once asked to work with a well-bred warm blood mare who was extremely dangerous to be around. She would charge open-mouthed, intending to bite hard, at whoever came into her space.

She was in her stall-sized pipe corral when I arrived. I spent some time nearby and then approached her to say hello. The mare charged at me, fully intending to bite. I jumped back out of her reach and personal space and waited for her to process what had just happened.

After she settled down, I approached her again. Again the mare charged at me, prepared to bite. Again I retreated, and waited for her to settle.

We repeated this sequence what felt like 50 or 60 times … so many that I lost count. Again I began my approach, and this time the mare let me come right up to her. She breathed on my outstretched hand and allowed me to gently stroke her face. After that, she never again attempted to charge and bite anyone.

This story illustrates the power … Read more

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I’ve had a change of heart. I previously said you should master one exercise before moving on to the next. However, as the second Uberstreichen Exercise is a lot easier to do than the first, I’d like you to give it a try to see how your horse responds, even though he may not yet be able to do everything I mentioned with the first exercise.

When you read about this second exercise though, it will seem easy to do but don’t be surprised to find out that your horse will need training and practice. Please do not get frustrated and quit. At first, your horse may do the exercise easily but be a little harder to control. It is part of the process so be prepared.

You can do both the first and second exercises at the same time. The second I believe will help you to complete the requirements of the first.

We are going to add another 10 minutes to your exercises. As you advance, no more time will be added to your practice time. Remember as you are practicing the exercises to continue to do your usual program of riding and training with or without tack. … Read more

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