Learning more about the magic of the co-creative process

Horses are flexible in their attitude and emotions from willing to unwilling, from trusting to fearful, from relaxed to hyper. Basically a horse’s nature is dynamic, cautious and willing. That makes sense, we are a lot like that ourselves. Horses have two changeable behaviors, fluctuating from trusting to not trusting, from social to antisocial… a bit like we are in our own society. They also seek friendship and live in communities and family groups…again a bit like us. When they feel secure and have enough space, food and water, they life in unity and harmony with one another.

Horses are very social, caring, outwardly affectionate and seek unity and harmony with one another most of the time.  Once we have formed a deep bond with a horse it will be deeper than the one we can share with our own species. When we share a cross-species bond, the horse shows us how deep our feeling for friendship can be. If we choose to look for this connection with all things our well-being and appreciations for life is enhanced. Then, when we can extend this connection to the people in our life, … Read more

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When working with the nature of horses you do not need to “get it done” to advance your horse’s training. Evolution will do it for you. Nature is always working for us if we can be in tune with it.

Removing the Focus on Force

The celebrated method of horse training in this country is based on making the thing you want the horse to do easy and the thing you do not want him to do hard. This method does not taking advantage of the evolution of a symbiotic bond and connection between horses and humans in the training of the horse.

In this method, a horse cannot get out of the “bind” the trainer creates until the desired result is obtained. This approach does not take the time to shape the horse’s behavior to have a desire to do something, that at first, he would not what to do. If the horse is allowed to stop his lesson and guide his human partner towards a fair and equitable relationship, the horse is shown more respect and this is the way we would all want to be treated.

To persist and force that a horse must do what he … Read more

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It is one week since my dear students completed the Beyond the Waterhole Ritual Clinic here at the Dances with Horses ranch in California. As I think back to the events of the week I am reminded that the learning continues well beyond the clinic dates. I am delighted to share your journey of connecting with your horses, yourself and the present moment.

Health and Horses

The energy the class brought made my teaching job a joy. Thank you for your interest to dig in deeper with my method and your unique skills you shared with me. What was challenging for me was that I had a cold that really slowed me down. I ran a temperature throughout the whole clinic. The good new is I was very happy with the over all material that we covered. I was very impressed with the skills of this group of students. What I noticed is that everyone had a wonderful connection with horses that was enhanced from my teachings and influence from the online classes. I was also pleased how people who had little horsemanship practice were as capable as the professionals were.

I was also pleased in how the class responded … Read more

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Wondering how to begin Liberty Dancing with Your Horse?

The “Beyond the Waterhole Rituals” students of 2011 will show you… it is easy, you begin with a smile and “Step By Step”… We’ve just finished the “Beyond The Waterhole Rituals” clinic and would love to share the week in photos with you… horse meditations, single lining, Nia body awareness dance classes, new friends, wild horses, liberty dancing, inspiration and lots of laughter.

Beyond The Waterhole Rituals Class of 2011

Magnetic Bond with Rosalie

Taking Territory ~ Reed Game

Liberty Dancing with Rosalie

Nia Body Awareness Dance Class

Chip & Page ~ Wild Horses Nap Time

Carrot Game

Liberty Dancing with Rosalie

Single Lining

Keeping the Magnetic Connection even AFTER tack comes into play…

Till next week… Remember to watch out for new horse and human sightings and may the horse be with you,

Warmly,

Carolyn… Read more

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Today was Day One of the Beyond the Waterhole Rituals Clinic.

For the next 8 days we will be developing more horsemanship skills to bring out the dance we would like to share with our horses.  I developed my school of learning because I saw that there was a learning opportunity not being offered to the equine world. Some things were not being taught like timing, leadership responsibility, understanding the nature of horses, noticing the individual personalities and working with the situation that exists in the present moment without forcing an unwilling horse to accept leadership.

Finding Empowerment Through Your Body Language

A person needs to develop a sure footedness in their direction and connection with horses. The way I go about this is by beginning with exercises working on assertiveness and sensitivity. Then we practice being supportive and finally move on to developing directive skills. From these exercises the student learns how to be flexible and gain more willingness from their horse. Through the practice of the Waterhole Rituals, the student develops a consistent ability to stay focused on the horse by keeping the connection alive and the horse motivated to keep the dance alive.

Begin with … Read more

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