Posted in Observations on Sep 3rd, 2009
Hello. My great passion with horses is dressage. This may surprise some of you but as always, it’s about approach and application.
There is little difference between a classical dressage rider and a competitive rider in the hands of a master, but the methods of training are very different. The two methods are different from the standpoint of how to develop lightness and self-carriage.
At this time in history the classical school of dressage is very strong and is suffering little conflict in their theories and methods of training. However, the competitive world is suffering greatly. There are a lot of horses that are being rushed through the process because of the desire to compete. They are ridden with new methods of training to shortcut the old methods through the rider’s talent to take a horse falsely to the FEI levels.
Currently there is an upsurge in the classical methods helping the competitive world. I have had a lot of personal success using these classical principles and theories with riders and horses. I would like to suggest a book by Sylvia Loch, The Classical Rider. It points out that dressage riders in the top levels of competition,… Read more
Read Full Post »
Posted in Observations on May 28th, 2009
Hello. Today I’d like to talk to you about body language or more precisely facial expressions.
I was reading in Robert Barber’s book about the fact that horses communicate with each other using eye expressions and I was really surprised with that. I have used body language all of my life and know that horses can accept messages, for example, from throat movements when swallowing. However, I was not aware of eye expressions and don’t know how I missed that.
Anyway, after reading Robert Barber’s book, I started practicing with my horses and found out that opening my eyes really big to a horse that was threatening me caused the horse to back down easily. So, then I started putting expressions on my face as a way to communicate and found that I have even became closer and more able to communicate with my horses. So, along with the body expressions that we use to communicate, I would suggest you also use facial expression and eye expressions as well.
So, please tell me how you get along with that. Maybe you already have stories that you would like to share on how facial expressions have helped you with your… Read more
Read Full Post »
Posted in Observations on Mar 19th, 2009
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 »
Posted in Observations on Mar 5th, 2009
If you can keep adjusting your leadership to be more dependable, flexible, understandable and intelligent, the horse is more willing to form a loyal partnership and put a greater effort into his performance. The biggest mistake people make in their relationship and communication with horses is to not understand that the development of leadership with horses should be spent in managing the connection, bond and trust through attentiveness. Being attentive, you can take care of the changing attitudes in the horse and to the changes in the environment and how to keep a horse willing before he gets out of hand. If you do not have respect and trust on a horse, you are not likely to be able to tell him what to do and in the same breath expect him to take care of you. This kind of horse is hard to find.
*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details
Read Full Post »
Posted in Observations on Feb 3rd, 2009
In their everyday need for survival, horses have created a communication system that is noteworthy. Wild horses are like a society of nomadic people who have leaders of leaders. Because nature’s habitat for horses is open rangeland, each horse has freedom to pick and choose a band of horses where he or she fits in and where his or her personality type is needed.
I have observed three major behaviors in horses: Leadership behavior, dominant behavior and submissive behavior. These behaviors are also the personality types as well. Herds are made up of the right balance of personalities, with each personality fitting perfectly in the chain of command. If the herd makeup is not harmonious, then this is when horses tend to move.
*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details
Read Full Post »
Posted in Observations on Sep 24th, 2008
Being in the horse industry as I have and a horse lover on my own personal journey, I have seen a lot of personal growth in people due to the impact that horses have played in their spiritual evolution. I have seen trainers grow and change from hardened individuals to philanthropists and students turn into masters. I have seen first hand the physical healing effect horses have on humans. All of these people that I have known over the years have horses to thank for their spiritual growth.
I feel that the biggest influence a horse has on me comes in the moment that I feel a connection between us as One – the Centaur Connection.
I have an overwhelming appreciation and gratitude for the friendship that arises in these moments, the Centaur Connection that comes from our training experiences together. This experience catapults me into an overwhelming awareness to all that surrounds me in nature and to the universe as a whole.
*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details
Read Full Post »
Posted in Observations on Aug 15th, 2008
Hello. Today I would like to conclude my thoughts on how we can help racehorses by looking to the future.
The strong permanent change we can make is to guide children to be compassionate and caretakers of horses. A great way to start with children is to ask them what does the horse’s world look like when humans are supportive to their needs? Go to schools and ask this question. Remember, ask and it is given!!! This is something I have done in the past and you might consider to facilitate change.
*** To read the rest of this post, get Carolyn’s Blog Collection Volume 1 ***
Click the image above for more details
Read Full Post »
