Lesson Opportunity
May 6th, 2010 by Carolyn Resnick Method
When I first got Apollo, I decided I wanted to see how a dog breeder would handle him to give him a bath. I wanted to see his behavior toward a bath so I would not make any mistakes and start a behavior in him that I was responsible for, that would develop a bad connection with him. I learned a lot. What I learned is that she talked to him with sweet tones every minute that she was bathing him helping him to feel secure. When he got too whiney and nervous the husband would come into the room and poke a finger into his rib cage and say “Settle down.”
To my surprise, Apollo responded by settling down and the wife would then would go back to sweet talk. The husband’s energy was on the muscle but calm and direct. They had a plan. One of the reasons it worked is that down deep inside them they knew it would. Because of this, it influenced my dog to accept his bath like they expected him to.
I learn by watching, reading, experiencing, practicing and the big one, evaluating. From evaluation, I can usually come up with a plan that leads me to the next better approach. But always doing something for the first time without a clue. I am very reticent to try unless driven by some spontaneous invite from some outside or inside influence.
Years ago when I was a child I remember when I was feeling perplexed about something, in regards to wanting to know secrets regarding how to develop a deeper understanding and connection with horses, that I hoped for some magic to occur. I wanted to find a book along the road to magically appear before me that had all the answers in it. It never happened.
When I wrote Naked Liberty this was the book I hoped to find. Naked Liberty revels all the knowledge of horse behavior, approaches to take, and how to go about training a horse from the organic experience. I want the book to open your mind in how to evaluate a situation and to come up with a working plan that will help you to put into practice your evaluation skills. It also offers a philosophy that is a great tool to guide you in how to approach a horse. When you reread my book, please look for the lessons it offers you; the do’s and don’ts in how to approach a horse using your influence.
Today I want you think about how you influence your horse and the evaluations that have benefited you. Read the chapter Dancing with Mustano and let me know what you learned from this story, why it was important to me and what I hoped you might gain from reading it.
Through my course you could take the opportunity to write your own book on the lessons you learn from my program. Writing them down is another opportunity to learn more. We could even think about publishing your book. It is easy to write a book; all you need do is write one or two pages a day with pictures and YouTube videos and in 6 months you have a book
If you submit a book, I will choose my favorite one and invite the winner to a free clinic with me from my ranch and try to get the book published and sell it on my sight. For everyone who submits manuscripts that I accept, I will offer a you a 10-day program package; $1500 for a group of 10. The package would include my Self Realization course along with the Waterhole Rituals course.
I will put all your stories together in another book to be published. It would be valuable to my students and to your own programs because of your focus, and your horse’s specific disposition, personality and history. It would also be of personal value to you as a keepsake and as a way to advertise your horse business.
What you do think?
Carolyn
No related posts.
I love you’re ideas, but I am usually by myself. It’s hard to get videos or pictures of me and Dakota. Dakota is such a different horse. He is very friendly, causious, and stubborn. He is my friend. I have been very carefull not to scare him, because he is so scared of everything. He got a good bath, for the first time. I got firm with him. He always runs away from what he doesn’t want. I pulled him back to me, and said “be a good boy! Water is good”. Then I washed him without spraying him. He amazed me, with his calm attitude. Dakota is from the wild mustangs . I don’t Know what he has been through, but he must have had some scarey times in his life. I only know he is very different than any other horse. So he is my special boy. He is very lovable.
Carolyn, fantastic idea about the book deal . I will begin writting all of my experiences asap. Thanks for giving us this opportunity. Namaste Sherry
insiders circle
Regarding the Mustano chapter:
Look – and learn from – how horses interact with each other and other species.
Pick the right time and mood, when the horse wants contact
Let go of your plan(s) and go with your instinct
Match your movements/bodylanguage
Make it a conversation and a dance
Know when to stop
Have fun
What do I think, I think that is really grand of you to make such an offer.
(This is the second time trying to post this comment, so I presume the hitch was technical rather than for other reasons.)
Dear Carolyn (and fellow human herd)
I tell myself that I really don’t have the time to JUST ‘share territory’ with a horse; I have so many other (important) things to do. And I notice that I am making little progress with the horses. (I am writing this and I am still not sharing territory with Sebastian – as this is more important:-) So I have moved to his stable to share territory!!!)
He is munching away happily at some freshly cut grass.
Anyway, it has taken me all these days to get down to writing, which required re-reading Dancing with Mustano – and ‘chewing over’ the ideas therein.
This part really resonated with me:
“I would have enjoyed Mustano’s close company and played with him all day. I would have like to touch him, groom him, ride him, but instead, when he said good-bye, I gave room. Such is the law and etiquette of the community of wild horses.”
And so it ‘should’ be with any horse. Our way of being is so agenda-based that it is really difficult to make our agenda non-agenda based, to set aside our goals and aspirations in the service of another. I really struggle with that although it appears so simple…
However, Carolyn’s wisdom was brought home to me (yet) again the other day. You see, I haven’t been able to make contact with our new foal, Frida, born on April 1 as her mother is an alpha mare and takes her mothering seriously. However, I have been able to turn all the horses out together – Doll (the four year old mare), Sebastian ( a two and a half year old male) and Lucy (the 11 year old mother) and Frida. So when I led Doll back to her stable, I was surprised to hear little Frida, cry out in her deep, little voice for Doll. You see, she has formed her first new bond with another being – a being that simply shares territory with her. Well, in my mind, I heard Carolyn chuckling whole heartily, Do you get it now?
Sebastian continues his munching – he is learning to give me space. Some might think he is ignoring me, but, when I stand up, he will stop and follow me out. He likes me JUST being with him.
So like me, others might spend their valuable time ‘sharing territory’ and write to Carolyn if the light or conditions don’t make reading her book a practical option:-)
Lots of ‘horse love’ to you all
Dear Carolyn (and fellow human herd)
I tell myself that I really don’t have the time to JUST ‘share territory’ with a horse; I have so many other (important) things to do. And I notice that I am making little progress with the horses. (I am writing this and I am still not sharing territory with Sebastian – as this is more important:-) So I have moved to his stable to share territory!!!)
He is munching away happily at some freshly cut grass.
Anyway, it has taken me all these days to get down to writing, which required re-reading Dancing with Mustano – and ‘chewing over’ the ideas therein.
This really resonated with me:
“I would have enjoyed Mustano’s close company and played with him all day. I would have like to touch him, groom him, ride him, but instead, when he said good-bye, I gave room. Such is the law and etiquette of the community of wild horses.”
And so it ‘should’ be with any horse. Our way of being is so agenda-based that it is really difficult to make our agenda non-agenda based, to set aside our goals and aspirations in the service of another. I really struggle with that although appears so simple…
However, Carolyn’s wisdom was brought home to me (yet) again the other day. You see, I haven’t been able to make contact with our new foal, Frida, born on April 1 as her mother is an alpha mare and takes her mothering seriously. However, I have been able to turn all the horses out together – Doll (the four year old mare), Sebastian ( a two and a half year old male) and Lucy (the 11 year old mother) and Frida. So when I led Doll back to her stable, I was surprised to hear little Frida, cry out in her deep, little voice for Doll. You see, she has formed her first new bond with another being – a being that simply shares territory with her. Well, in my mind, I heard Carolyn chuckling whole heartily, Do you get it now?
Sebastian continues his munching – he is learning to give me space. Some might think he is ignoring me, but, when I stand up, he will stop and follow me out. He likes me JUST being with him.
Lots of horse love to you all
I sat down in the paddock and reread Dancing with Mustano. I read it with new eyes and found much more than I did last time I read it. It was a year ago.
My thoughts when reading it was that you never can plan whats going to happend. If you always plan everything you will not be sensibel to what is happening. If I stay in the moment and let it be a guide in the interaction with my horse things just will be happening and I will know what to do. I haven´t had a dance yet but when I with the horses time just disappears, it is just me and the horses and I have a feeling of what to do in the moment. If I had planed it would never had worked because my brain had been full of how to do things. It is so amazing how things works! You have spent a lot of time with the horses, you have observed them and a lot of other things in the nature and learned from it. To really see and learn from what you see you have to stay in the moment and I think it helps you/me to take the next step.
This will be an exciting journey!
I will give the book a trye. It isn´t easy to write in english but I will do my best.
Hi Carolyn,
I am a huge fan of your work. I have ordered Naked Liberty and cannot wait to start reading it. I have also found a few pod casts with Anna Twinney and I love listenting to them. They have made a profound difference in the way I am with my horses.
I would like to share a happening in my life with my Palomino two days ago.
Jessie was a rescue horse. He was purchased at 6 months and the person
who purchased him never did anything with him. Needless to say he was really checked out and didn’t care too much about life. He sucked wind (which I now know was because of his sacrum being out of alignment and causing him discomfort) and had a very vacant look in his eye but I knew there was something special about this horse. I made a promise to him that in any way I could I would assist him.
I had started a small rescue in Colorado and Jess came to me by way of that. I did not know about his minimal training which was literally being chased around a round pen by a pissed off Mexican trainer who labeled the horse “lazy and stupid” until I had him, nor did I know that he had never been riden until I rode him for 2 months.
Our relationship has been a bit strained as I took many things personally and he is a very subtle communicator and I communicate with animals for a living. We have had some major breakthroughs in communication and then things would just seem to fall apart.
On Saturday, I decided to employ your beginning rituals. I took Jess into the arena and I sat on the mounting block and read Xenophon. Jess had no interest at first so I just kept reading. When he did come into my space I asked him to move out. This happened 4 x. The 5th time I decided to give him a bit of a reward of a Fig Newton which I had in my pocket. He liked it and then I asked him to move out again.
We played this game for awhile which was really interesting and fun as he could move away whenever he wanted. And he kept coming back the more he saw I was not interested in him.
After about 30 minutes, I had the hunch to put him on a lunge line but was guided to just put the line around his neck, no halter or bridal. Then I asked him to move around in a circle and I would be guiding him from his neck rather than from his head.
He did so with a new sense of purpose that I have never seen in that horse of 5 years of having him. All of a sudden he wanted to go huge around the entire arena at a full gallop with his tail straight up in the air and his full attention and energy focused on his run. And we started to play, he tossed his head and he changed directions from my cueing from the middle of the areana. And even while being in a surge of adrenaline when I asked him to stop he did and respected my space and then went right back into a run.
Carolyn, this is a horse that never likes to move unless he has to and he’s only 8. Tears welled in my eye as I saw the “fire of life” coming through this horse in a way that was totally natural and free to him and for the first time in 7 years of knowing this horse, I saw the confident, radiant, magnificent being in all his glory that I knew was hiding under there.
Even though I am just beginning, I cannot thank you enough for the work you share with us all. I have so much more faith that this is the way this horse has chosen to be worked with and respected and just by going step by step I will eventually become a human he is proud to stand next and be in a relationship with and maybe one day carry on his back.
With the utmost gratitude and grace,
Alecia Evans
http://www.allbeingsequal.com
P.S. Are you still offering for people to send you their stories to publish a book.
I have a paint who is one of the most enlightened beings I have ever met.
Insiders Circle
Dancing with Mustano – From this story, I learned that patience, observation, evaluation, creativity, meditative awareness, respectful boundaries, body language and a proper balance of courage, leadership, intuition and trust of oneself are all important factors in creating wonderful relationships. There is magic in giving space and time for opportunities to sprout in their own time. Magnetic connections truly are a rhythmic dance metaphorically, physically, and mentally.
I think it is important to you because it was an amazing experience based on passionate study, contemplation, creativity and observation. It was also about finding the right timing, the right opportunity and being willing to experiment with it and learn from it as it presented itself. And the dance was purely at liberty, purely a connection between you with complete openess, freedom and choice for both of you.
I feel you hoped your readers would gain insight into why it is important to invest time in observation and study and use those observations and learning with creativeness in our own situations to open new opportunities to enhance our relationships. You drew from your observations of Mustano with the bird to create a plan of play similar to that dance. You used what nature presented in the moments to develop a ‘natural’ plan to have a similar dance with Mustano. It wasn’t about following a rigid formula, but combining several skills and observations with the right intention, flexibility and timing for a wonderful, unusual, incredible dance with Mustano. I feel you want us to learn how important it is to be aware of what is happening in the moments; to be willing to use those in conjunction with our learning to join in similar experiences with our horses and accept that they have much to teach us and in being open to that, amazing opportunities will arise.
It must have been a truly amazing experience! You must have felt so incredibly joyful and energized after that experience. I am in awe just thinking of it.
I think I have to pass, like Marja, being Dutch and all.
But I’m really looking forward to reading that book! And I do believe there is a need for it. The only nice book I’ve read by someone learning to ride and putting it in a live-lesson perspective was The Zen of Horseriding by Ingrid Soren.
Dear Carolyn
I am home today, trying to recover from coming off my horse in a clinic yesterday.
What is so interesting to me is her response to the fall.
She stood over me, while other folks rallied around, and she was frozen in that spot- with ONLY her eyes moving, revealing her deep concern.
I never felt before that our connection had MUTUAL concern at it’s core, because she never ever showed her concern for me.
This, I believe is an immediate result of us sharing territory, and developing our core relationship. I landed in a painful spot, right on my tailbone, where I have had chronic pain, and because of that I felt there was a message and a gift to be found. Today I understand the worry wrinkles expressing her distress at my fall, were a message of depth and meaning. She see’s me now, as a fellow herd member, and our roles as such are tenuous and new. I will go and share territory with her today, renew our connection and ease her mind.
I think I inadvertantly made a criticism the other day regarding a collection of stories coming from this class. I meant to say that this is going to be a fantastic, deep and insightful book, and one that I would be honored to participate in on any level. Thank you Thank you Thank you!
Thanks for the great opportunity to clarify the thoughts and ideas that occur as we go through this process!
Holly Vanasse
Insider Circle student
Dear Carolyn,
That is quite a challenge that you have offered! I would never forgive myself if I didn’t try. Last Friday while I was waiting for an oil change to be completed, I wrote the introduction to my book.
Karin
I have been Vlogging my path with my mare and it has become a bit of a diary of my experience and growth with her. I find it fun and cool to do. Other people seem to enjoy viewing it as well like you are saying. I am on part 7 with no particular end in site. Is it ok to do it that way? I add a little blog post with each video explaining what I am feeling about the work we are doing as well as narrating during the videos. I would be happy to submit those if you like Carolyn? I can make s complete youtube playlist on all seven so far so you can see the progression. Here is the latest one http://www.youtube.com/user/FDHorsetraining
Checking in although I need to reread that chapter and then consider how to answer.
We are already well into writing a book. It contrasts the way of horses with the way of humans. Specifically it is about the beauty of horse herd behavior in contrast to the one thing I desire to see humans un-learn – war. We are doing this through a sort of collective memoir. It is like a tapestry, weaving our biographies together in with my husband, a Nam veteran, learning horses for the first time. Also there is so much about horses throughout history, such as the emperor who named his horse a senator – Incitatus – almost even named emperor when his owner died, although Claudius was eventually chosen over the horse.
Yesterday the herd all followed him at liberty, peacefully, no unruliness, even without any treats. It is a dream come true.
I’m in!!!
Hi Carolyn,
I love the idea of writing a book! I have been encouraged by family to write about my experiences with “Tristan” by putting them in a blog. Your method has been so inspiring to me and so different to the way I was taught to be with horses. It feels more natural now and both the horses and myself are so much happier.
Today I shared territory with my “boys” – I went out into the field armed with chair, pad and pencil and sat and started to draw the horses – even the neighbors horses. I am a professional artist so its great experience for me to draw from life.
Well it wasn’t long before they were both coming up to me to see what I was doing… Jax was sniffing me and Tristan smelled my paper, my hair, chewed on the chair a little and then both walked off to graze some more.
It was so relaxing and fun… so thank you Carolyn!
Dear Carolyn,
You are a blessing indeed. I’ve gotten started! Friends over the years have often said I should write and I say ‘about what?’ they always reply ‘just your experiences!’. So here we go!!
Much grattitude,
Catherine
robyn here in new zealand, in a box.
the book idea:
love it.
i’ve already started.
it started the day i met tom.
It is a fabulous idea and one you should do. The stories already being told on your blog are great learning tools. I think a picture book with stories would be great on 2 levels.
I listened again to the chapter Dancing With Mustano. By the way I feel I need to listen to the entire book again. The first time was when I was just introduced to you. Now close to a year later it will have a whole new meaning to me.
From the chapter I learn that to be more successful in the dance, I should present myself to my horse at a time when he is open to my suggestions. I should dance his dance to gain his interest and desire to dance together. I think you Carolyn knew you had to be invited by Mustano and you waited patiently for that opportunity to present itself. I believe you want us to be creative and joyful with our horses. Be open to learn how to read their thoughts and desires and language.
I do not approach my horses like I used to. I am slower and more polite. I wait for eye contact and permission and interest. I spend more time trying to read their mind and body and what they are communicating to me. Last evening I was grooming Moon at liberty trying to remove the endless winter hair. He would move forward or back telling me where he wanted to be groomed and where he did not. At one point he pinned his ears and shook his head a bit and then stamped his foot. I think he was saying “human, can’t you understand what I’m telling you”. I found the spot and he lowered his head and wiggled his lips with outstretched neck.
Regina
You are absolutely incredible, Carolyn. A gift for all of us!
Love, Connie
Wow Carolyn,
I find your words so heart warming and inspiring and it makes me believe that I really could write a book! You give so much of yourself here, I feel so blessed to have found you and all of your wonderful contributions. My Mother who is 89 years old wrote of her life from childhood in Kentucky all the way to the present. They were not published but my sister copied all the pages as well as her drawings and binded them for all the children and some of the grandchildren. They are so precious to me.
Thank you!
Regina
A book. Wow what a challenge, and growth experience! When do you want the book?
Dear Carolyn,
Love the idea! Especially the part about giving you a present. I already have the title!
Lisa
Dear Erica,
I learn from horses and from people’s feeling stories and journies even today. My mother will read these books too. Our friends will read them and my students and I am sure their friends will read them and people will see nature wiith more intrest, respct and purpose. These kind of books will give people yet another reason to have a horse that could give horses more homes and appreciation..Your book helps me to see life and connection more fully. If you do not write it I will miss a point 0f view that only you and your horse have to offer me in some form. Are you telling me that you personally would not be intreated in these kind of reading material?
Very few books on the market ever touch on the real experaince it is not because people do not like to read about the real experaicne it is just they are not being written because of the attitude you just stated.
No real experiance should be missed. It give a window into the nature of horses and humans more clearly. Connection is purpose and friedship is what bring peace to the world.
Write your book because it would make me happy to read it!!
The books will hlep me to evolve and help me to teach my method.
My blog is a present to you. Your book is a present to me.
If you only write it as a present to me that would be enough from my point of view. Just a couple of people suggested that I write a book that I need to tell my story and I got mad because I did not think that any one would read it. I also though how does one write a book about a subject where words played no part?
My book helps me with every part of my existance, my health, emotions, my understanding of life and others and myself, if no one read it it would be worth it to have write my book. It brought me happieness and connections with others I was looking to connect with.
It opened my business to a natural market.
There is no way to loose from writing a book if you write it form the heart.
I remember that first think I wrote. I was going to Verde Valley School in Arizona. We had to write a poem. It was pure garbage I thought but the struggle was so worth it. If I had not written that poem it would have change the course of my life to a lesser experiance. From the poem I learned that all challenges are doable. From the experiance challenge became my pleasure, the moment became my friend and pausing to allow words to come never failed me.
One way to start writing. Keep the pen moving. Start by writing, I do not know what to write because——-. YOu will be suprised what you write. It might turn out to be a book. Try it!!
YOu might find your calling or reclame something you lost in side yourself or needed to grow.
Self educations is the deepest learing and the way to stay young and to enjoy your own company with your horse !!
Wow Carolyn! What an invitation!
Carolyn, I think it is a great idea and something i can do besides reading during ST!
IC shelley dunkin mon nite
You are amazing Carolyn! Being led to you and your work is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. You continually find ways to help me get even closer to my essence.
Writing a book has been something on my dream list for many years. I journal often, and now to put this there in my path is priceless and a significant lure. I have already had some other lures pop up sharing with other members of the class and reading your blogs. Just wonderful…and definitely fertilizing my joy!
I’m off to read the chapter on Dancing with Mustano while Sharing Territory with my horse and playing games with him. Then to work on my other homework:).
Connie Huibregtse
Insiders Circle, Monday night call
(In the Box)
SIMPLY BRILLIANT!
I say that all the time these days.
Carolyn we are having such a great time doing the rituals, and I’ve chosen an easy horse this time.
Now I understand why you wanted us to start there. Last fall while practicing the rituals and when my colt kept trying to kick me, I really didn’t understand what I could do about it, and now I do.
I went too far, too fast, too much, too soon, expecting my desired result.
NO WAY could that work. And I was also really frightened of him. Why did I think I could get one over on him? Isn’t this where I learn to be truthful?
There is such a wealth of information and discernment to be gained from these rituals, it is hard to imagine a more intelligent and insightful book coming through these classes. Thank you so much for your inspiration, wisdom, and care for the horses, (and for us!)
Wow, what a great idea. I write in my journal every day anyway and I quite often takes photos of special moments.
For me it is easiest to hand write things down and then I’d have to type them later I guess.
Wonderful things are happening with my relationships, especially with Pico. I can feel his energy and his questions about what we are doing next or what I am up to. It makes me laugh to look at his expressions.
Initially I was trying to follow rules for the rituals but then I realized that it is best to let them flow more naturally. You are right though that it takes some time to learn new ways of thinking and doing things. Especially when you have developed habits and patterns. I was taught patterns in dealing with horses so that’s the way I thought for years. This is new to me and I love it. It feels more natural to me.
Dear Carolyn;
Is the opportunity you are offering for your students only or is it for anyone who writes on your blog?
Well anyway, I decided to follow your blog and the way you teach from this point on. I have tried some of the other things from other sites on how to teach horses. Yes, they work, but to a big disadvantage. They teach your horse to fear you and to submit, but for what…your own pleasure! What a big disappointment! I would have never known what I was missing without your blog and the other people who write on here.
Last night after dinner I went to put Key Largo in for the night. She was playing ball all by herself and seemed to be really enjoying it. We didn’t get to play earlier in the day as it got pretty hot and humid.
When she asked me to come play, I said I would but had to clean up her mess first. She waited patiently for about a minute, then went into a rampage.
She kicked up her heals at me and one time came a little too close for comfort. She was really mad at me. I stopped what I was doing and was going to scold her for what she had done and decided it wouldn’t do any good so just started kicking the ball. She just stood there and looked at me as if I had lost my mind. She watched me kick the ball for a couple minutes so I kicked it to her. She just pushed the ball out of her way with her nose and came over to me and licked my arm as if to say she was sorry and we commenced playing ball. We didn’t play long as she wasn’t really that enthused about playing without the treats, so I started giving her one every so often but even then she didn’t play as well as she normally does.
What should I have done in this situation? I really need to pick up her messes because she walks through them and they get impacted in her hooves and we are still dealing with her thrush but its not bad anymore. I don’t ever want to make her that mad at me again…what can I do?
Key Largo let me pet her yesterday when she was laying down and I gave her treats for letting me touch her. I would stop the treats if she got back up and she would pout a little, then go eat her hay.
Also we did the second UE and she did this so wonderful as if she had done it all her life. (She would never walk with me on a lead without trying to walk over top of me or running into me with her shoulder.) There were a few times when I would ask her to halt that her front end would stop but her back end would keep going, so I just made her do it again until she stopped her whole body at once. She caught on quick. There were a couple times where I had to push her away from me because she got too close, but she caught onto that quick too.
When she started breathing heavy telling me she had enough of this game, I made her do it one more time then stopped. She was very happy.
When I first got Key Largo a couple months ago now, she came with a halter on. She would not let me touch her let alone the halter. It took over a month before I could talk her into letting me touch it. Well now she asks me to put it on her when she wants to play. That is the signal she uses to tell me when she wants me to play a game, unless she wants to play ball, then she will go kick the ball. She tries to kick it to me wherever I am sitting and I always play when she asks. I may not play long if it is too hot, but I always play.
She still gives me a hard time cleaning her feet in the mornings, because I don’t treat her for each one anymore. I just give her treats when I am fininshed. Should I go back to giving her treats for each one or should I just wait until she catches on that she will get treats when we are finished?
She is progressing so much faster with your system than the other systems I have tried. I don’t care if I never get to ride her because the bond we are sharing is so much greater than I could have ever hoped for from a horse. I wish I would have known about your system all those years ago when I had my first horse. He was just a robot. Thank you so much again for your blog and if Key Largo could say so she would thank you too.
A question to everyone: Key Largo is in heat and puts off a horrible farmone odor. Is there anything I can do to cut down the smell? She also has dock itch and I have been using listerine, but she is constantly having me spray the listerine on there several times a day. I’m not even sure if this is working. Anyone have any ideas of what I can do? Thank you for any suggestions.
Wow, that will be challenge! Ok, i’ll give it a go!!
Thank you for the invitation, Joanna (In-a-box)
(In a Box student)
As for the book idea: great! Actually I already started my own weblog about the course. The only thing is that it’s in Dutch, because I can express my emotions best in my own language. I don’t know if I’m able to translate it all into English without loss of that expression. That would take a lot of time and energy. Well, we’ll see… But anyway I love the idea!
I reread the wonderful story ‘Dancing with Mustano’. Here are some thoughts that sprang from it:
Joy on itself is wonderful, just for the sake of it; the pride of every fibre of yourself being alive! When you can ‘be’ and let things arise by themselves, joy is a natural state of being.
The story teaches me how to create a playful bond with horses, just like the roadrunner did in a natural way, by balancing the reciprocal movements between him and Mustano, making himself visible, and then invisible, by following, pursuing and pausing at the right moments. Just to BE and wait for the play to be ‘born’ spontaneously.
I feel I’m getting this more and more; finding the courage and giving myself permission(!) to wait, observe, see what happens and then interact spontaneously. I had this observing attitude as a child but was drawn away from it, because I was told that I had to DO things, and interact all the time, be this, do that… This eventually led to some very dark periods in my life. I’m so glad Carolyn, that through your method, and with the help of all my horses, I’m finding my way back to that attitude. I’m crying right now, just because of the gift of refinding it… Thank you so much, I feel like I am being ‘rebuilt’ very slowly…
Hi Carolyn,
after 2 years of working with the rituals, I keep on reading and re-reading the post at the site and feel how this way of approaching the horses becomes the fundament of my live.
It feels so good. Thanks! Tine
What a thrilling opportunity to crystalize this experience for ourselves and others by distilling it into written form, with the possibility of even being lavishly rewarded for it! To some extent, sharing comments on my experiences in these blog entries has been an informal way to do exactly what you suggest.
Now you have devised a way to let us make the process more detailed and more interesting. And what a wonderful incentive you provide: The juciest carrot in the larder, and then some! For months now, I have been racking my brain about how to find the funds to come study with you in person. Short of winning the lottery or selling one of my precious kids (both equally unlikely), I’ve come up with nothing viable. Now you’ve offered the possibility on a platter. You bet I am starting right now!
Do you have any sugggestions on format or are you leaving it entirely up to our imagination?
Carolyn,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the learning opportunities that come with careful observation. As for the challenge or opportunity as I see it COUNT ME IN, this is a wonderful opportunity to both learn and grow with. To all your wonderful blog readers have a wonderful evening or day if you read, this I am off with my pen and paper to chew my latest observations here at the farm.
Best to all,
Leanna at Dreams do Come True Farm
Carolyn,
What a wonderful opportunity to be able to observe Apollo getting his bath; how he reacted to it, and how he was handled during the bath. What a great learning lesson. Observing is one of the ways I most easily learn.
I have not checked in for a while. I have had much work, and every spare moment is spent in the garden, or with my horses. Lyle, my Mustang, has been acting dominate the last few weeks. At first, I decided it was the spring weather, but when he continued, I decided I needed to do something about it – fast. After reading some of the responses in your blog recently, I decided to use some of the info I had read.
I climbed up on the outside of my round pen facing the pasture and just sat. I decided I needed to be higher than my horse while I shared territory. At first he wasn’t very happy about it and protested, but he soon settled and came over to me and hung his head next to my leg and fell asleep. Very curious. He has started to quiet down quite a bit. Info I am thankful to use.
Today I started furthering the UE with him. I walked the roud pen (door open) and asked for a whoa and a head down. I didn’t even need to use the halter rope after the third time. He caught on well and yawned a few times when his head went down.
Then we played soccer. I have never done this with him before, and I thought it would be difficult, but he caught on quickly, and soon we were kicking the ball all over the round pen. He was very funny and full of life, but as soon as I approached, he softened and submitted. We hung out in the pasture after we were done with all the games, and he came over for a few scratches every once in a while. I could feel the warm spring sun on my face, a crisp breeze, and my horse wanting to be with me. Life is good.
Toni
Carolyn, you’ve done it again — galvanized me to go farther than I ever have before…..I’m hooked.
Hi Carolyn
This line in particular was resonating strongly!
“But always doing something for the first time without a clue. I am very reticent to try unless driven by some spontaneous invite from some outside or inside influence.”
Sometimes wonderful things happen when I finally overcome the reticence, other times I stuggle to accept that its part of learning when it all goes “pear shaped”……
I am having a wonderful time these last few weeks, its amazing having the comments from the others in your program and I’m learning so much from listening to the lectures and calls. It helps to shape my behaviours when I hear how others are doing things a bit differently and helps give me that “Clue”. Thank you so much Sue
Carolyn – Well you know how I feel about it – let’s get going! Giddy-up!!!
You what? Sounds like I may have to start writing tomorrow…
Actually, Carolyn, your story of writing the book that you couldn’t find is so compelling, I can’t think of a better reason to start writing today…..
Warmly,
Christian
lol, speechless! I already have writers block!
Sounds fantastic! Let me see if I understood correctly…one “winning” manuscript will be published and sold on your site, and there will be up to 9 more manuscripts that you may choose. For the top 10 manuscripts, you’re offering the 10-day program for $1,500 to each author. Did I read that right or get totally confused?