Recently I was working with a new student, showing how I introduce teaching halt from trot on a circle at liberty after I have the basic connection with a horse that the Waterhole Rituals provide to the partnership. I asked the horse to whoa, and about eight strides later, he stopped, and looked at me with a look that seemed to say “Is this what you wanted?” I then told him he was a good boy, and gave him a treat.

My student asked why I treated the horse since he stopped eight strides later than when I first asked for it. Since the horse had not been asked to halt this way before, the fact that he stopped at all was quite an accomplishment. Of course, with more time and training, soon the horse will be stopping on a dime and will be happy to do so. As our training session progressed, gradually, the horse stopped in fewer and fewer strides. It was the pause which allowed him to think about the request, and gave him the time to put his body in the right frame which would allow him to stop from a trot.

The next stage of … Read more

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Horses test us and build our character through their innate nature and natural instincts by how they respond to us. One of the ways they test us is by how we approach them. However, the rudder is lost in how to learn what a horse has to teach us if a horse is forced against his will to respond differently from his natural instincts. The path is lost in how to grow spiritual awareness, compassion, and wisdom. When a horse comes to us, it naturally puts us in a position in having to choose whether to lead him, follow him, or be with him in the pause. A combination of these interactions in the right sequence builds a wonderful partnership revealing how to connect with all things.

By learning when to lead, when to follow, and when to pause we grow the cross species bond and our spiritual evolution. This is our first lesson with a horse. Not only is it our first lesson, it is the lesson we are always facing when working or being with horses.

When we are in rhythm with nature it is easy to know when to lead, when to follow, and when to be … Read more

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When I was a kid, I had an old horse and he did not know how to do anything but what he was told because of the years of service he was use to. I was not skilled enough to ride him without guidance even though he would do what you told him to. I did not know how to activate the gas pedal and break in relationship to the turning aids, and make the needed adjustments in order to ride a horse. Riding a horse is not an easy matter. Once we learn, it is as easy as breathing, so we easily forget how much we know, how much we have learned, and how much awareness we need to bring to a beginning rider as teachers of horsemanship.

I have wanted to construct a quad where the breaks would sometimes work too sensitively, and range to less and less sensitive, to not working at all-or it might even go faster when applying the breaks. Turning the vehicle would work with the same irregularities. Sometimes I dream of this teaching aid. If any one knows how to create this monster I would love to talk to you about building it! … Read more

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I went to our local New Age store and found a children’s book titled Zen Shorts. I took a look, read a few pages, and had to have it! I want to suggest it to any one who likes children’s books and the lessons learned from them. Let’s exchange ideas on what to read this winter.

All through the year, I love to have people over to my house. In order to make them welcome I like to keep treats in the bathroom and many interesting books on my coffee table. I have found that people will take treats from the bathroom quicker than if I have them anywhere else. When people come to visit they even go into the guest bathroom to see what treats might be there. What they like is chocolate. It is all experimentation on how to please others and stay connected just like working a horse at liberty. It takes the same kind of experimentation working a horse at liberty as it does creating a social environment for people. I also make sure I have beautiful music playing, and I like to listen to everything my guests want to talk about.

The other day I … Read more

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Isabeau you are always remembered

A very close friend of mine lost her mare Isabeau tonight very unexpectedly from a liver condition that sprang up over quickly. It is almost one in the morning as I am writing to you. It is never easy loosing a horse, nor is it easy to be a friend of someone that is suffering over a loss of a beloved mare.

Jeanette brought Isabel into this world and now she is gone at a very young age of 10.

Isabeau knew she was going. Isabeau never liked a spot that was at the far end of an area, and would avoid going to this place when turned loose to self-exercise. This place is where her mother died two years earlier. On her last day she wanted to go to the spot she had always avoided and laid down and passed away. Jeanette said that Isabeau was driven strongly to go to this spot this time without fear. In her last day on this earth, she stopped suffering and said good by to Jeanette in a touching ceremony and then left.

The other thing that was synchronistic is that I called my friend at the … Read more

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Back at the desk again after our 10-day WRIC and In the Box Program’s First Annual Beyond the Waterhole Rituals™ clinic with nine students. It was an amazing journey! The group was focused, understanding, nurturing, happy, supportive and very willing. I am sure you who were in the clinic are safely back home. I am still resting up. Thank you for bringing your smiling faces and opens hearts.

Over the 10 days, we learned more about who we are, and how we as individuals want to go about approaching our horses, each other, and our lives ahead.

The art of horsemanship starts every day rather than being found at the end of the journey. My Method is so different that it takes some time to catch on in how to train a horse without tack and only in the moments of connection without repromand. Everyone in the class was really comfortable with my method. I was very impressed.

Liberty Training, a word I coined, is a training method that begins at liberty rather than a method of training that ends at liberty. It starts with the first breath, and at the moment you and your horse are in the same … Read more

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I can’t believe how much fun we have all been having during this Beyond the Waterhole Rituals™ Clinic! The other day we had the opportunity to visit the ranch of a dear friend of mine, Linda Harris. The following photos that I am sharing with you were taken at her beautiful ranch with her wonderful Thoroughbreds! Thank you Linda for giving us this very special opportunity!

As the photos show, our weather has been truly spectacular! You can see the beautiful sunlight that seemed to gently touch everything around us with a sparkling golden hue. Everything was perfect- from the crispness of the air, to the excellent Companion Walking dance that we shared- it was one of those days that I know I will never forget.

I would also like to share a poem that Kathy Cavanah wrote during our poetry break out session. Thank you Kathy for sharing your inspiring words!

Elmo and the Bucket Game by Kathy Cavanah

The bucket’s there,
I stand and stare.
I want to move
but I don’t dare.

I’m on my spot,
my treat may rot!
And then she says,
“Elmo, Go Trot!”

I trot around.
I love the sound
of my hooves
upon … Read more

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