Liberty Training With the Carolyn Resnick Method
Feb 23rd, 2012 by Carolyn Resnick Method
*This week’s guest blogger is Robin Gates, Certified Carolyn Resnick Trainer, California
In 1984 I visited Carolyn’s ranch in Sonoma, California. There I witnessed something so extraordinary that it changed the course of my life. Carolyn was working her horse Stony at liberty in a large area. He had all the fire, spirit and natural expression of a wild stallion and though completely free he was dynamically drawn to her with the utmost respect and connection. It was breathtaking, and to this day I recall the feeling of amazement that swept over me. I had found a truly gifted mentor and as it turned out, a lasting friendship.
Robin and Carolyn
As I later ventured into the world of dressage, showing at Prix St. Georges and training through Grand Prix, Carolyn’s work and her guidance helped me to draw out an offered performance in my horse. She stressed the importance of maintaining enthusiasm and expression in my equine partner. Her method has always been the foundation upon which I have built my career as a trainer. Through the years, every horse I have worked with has helped to deepen my understanding of the willingness that awaits us if we offer horses dignity and a choice.
Just yesterday Dr. Jamie Kerr, DVM came to my ranch to float the teeth on three horses. One of those horses was named Stony, a fiery little bay mustang visiting here with his owner of two years, Nicole Tomlin. In spite of her best efforts to help him through his fears, he remained wary, suspicious, and highly defensive regarding any veterinary procedures. He needed to have his teeth floated for the first time. While the vet was working on the first horse, Nicole stayed with Stony in a nearby pasture. I asked her to tell him about the vet and what he was here to do and to ask Stony if he could cooperate and tell him why it would help him.
Dr. Kerr is an amazing vet. He leads with his heart and I really appreciate his compassion for horses. He said hello to Stony in gentle manner and Stony accepted him and relaxed. However, when Dr. Kerr tried to give him a sedative he exploded in fear. The vet was only able to administer a small amount in the muscle and said it was not enough to override the instinctual fear response that was so strong. We took Stony into a nearby paddock. He was upset and distrustful, moving away from my offered touch. I knelt down next to him as did Nicole. He began to relax and lower his head. After a bit Dr. Kerr entered. Stony raised his head in distrust. Dr. Kerr then knelt on the ground with us. Within a few minutes of our patient offering of respect and connection, Stony moved into trust and allowed a total stranger to place a metal rasp in him mouth and file his teeth for the first time in his life. During the procedure he never once offered resistance, because none of us offered that to him.
Rising Moon Ranch
The Rising Moon Herd
I am honored that Carolyn has asked me to teach her method and feel profoundly grateful for the direction she has given my life. I love to meet the people who are seeking a deeper connection with horses, one that is based on freedom and respect. I have discovered so many lifetime friends along this path. I love the horses whose hearts I have felt and am humbled by their wisdom and generosity of spirit. With Carolyn’s Method, anyone can learn to access a deeper understanding of horses and create a true working bond regardless of their level of experience. I welcome you to my ranch, in Northern California. I have many equine partners who invite you to share in their world of a joyful relationship based on freedom and choice.
Please enjoy the videos below and check out my website for more information about upcoming clinics at www.libertyhorsetraining.com,
Robin’s “Rising Moon Ranch”
Horses running at Sunset
Clinic “Cord of Connection”
A Dance with Cabo
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Thank you for your beautiful writing and videos, Robin. Your work is making a better world for horses and the people who love them. I look forward to reading and viewing more of your writing/videos.
Dear Robin,
My favorite video is of you dancing with Cabo. It is artistic, humorous, joyful, and you both mirror each other beautifully. Something I have noticed and admired about you, Stina, Alessandra, and Kai is that all of you incorporate the heart and soul of Carolyn’s method, yet you make it distinctly your own. That’s what Carolyn encourages us to do.
Karin
Robin,
What a beautiful story of trust created through non-resistance. When we stop resisting life we move into ease, and everything falls into perfect alignment. How it has taken me so many years of living and resisting to learn this, and I still have a long way to go, but through your amazing teaching and Carolyn’s extraordinary gift, I am many steps closer.
Much love,
Michele
Thanks for sharing your story Robin!
I LOVE your dance with Cabo… that is so beautiful!!
Aline
Robin – Every time I see you dance with your horses, I fall in love all over again with what you and Carolyn are doing. I’m so grateful that both of you so generously share your experience with all of us!
checking in and thanks so much for this blog Robin and Carolyn, indeed it is always such an inspiration which, from the snow and ice of Italy now just melting into an early spring moment, was more than welcome and needed!
best
susan (Italy)
Thank you Robin. Your Cord of Connection clip really struck a chord with me… (ha ha). It took me a few years to fully realise my mare did not want me on her back & also to stop feeling pressured to ‘just get on with it’. These days, sometimes I am allowed on & sometimes I am not. The video was a reminder to stick to my beliefs & instincts.
Checking in and loving the stories and videos! Just had my mare’s teeth rasped for the first time (since I have owned her) not knowing how she would react. I saw one look of concern momentarily, but with the vet’s compassionate energy she submitted to the much needed precedure without sedation. Her trust in me, and mine in her, grows every day based on the communication we have developed, thanks to Carolyn’s method.
Dear Robin, thank you so much for sharing with us. I always love your videos. You have the best songs matched with the beauty of the horses. It makes me cry. Please come back again and share more. Thank you and Blessings~Lisa & Magnum
Love the dance, Robin. So good to see a horse allowed to be its true self.
Lovely to watch you work on the videos and great to hear you speak. I only wish I could attend a clinic with you.
Blessings,
Regina
thank you Robin – I have always wanted to see more videos of you and hearing the you speak at the clinic was wonderful. I am so glad Carolyn is bringing different people to teach us!
Hi,
Thank you so much for sharing about your experiences Robin
I loved your videos too, they make me feel inspired all over again.
Grace.
So often we search for words to express this feeling, this one great desire and this posts comes close – we feel moved just to BE with our horses and share that incredible mind-blowing state – and so the slightest interaction from this point is a dance in paradise.
Thank you Carolyn and Robin. Wonderful story and nice video clips. Again to confirm that horses and humans are learning to be herd animals AND individuals. Who chose who first? Or was it cosmic wisdom that brought horses and humans together knowing deep down that each one had some ancient/universal knowledge to uncover.
WArmly
Geerteke
Thanks for sharing your story Robin. I also loved an interview with you I listened to last year, about your work and perspective on horses.
Marja
Beautiful story Robin, such a nice tribute and acknowledgement of Carolyn. I had the pleasure of coming to one of your clinics last year and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you and seeing how you have evolved this work and made it your own. I enjoyed your humor and commitment to the horses.
All my best
Lila
I truly love, the love of horses, and I love to play with my horse ,at liberty. He is a mustang from the wild , about 13, I would guess. He does love treats. but he follows me, backs up , goes away comes back and if I leave him, he is always waiting for me to come back and play. He tries to show me how smart he is. he will dance with me, and follow me. But I see he wants to be the leader. I let him go, but he always comes back. He likes company, and he knows I will reward him with something. He is such a charactor.
How wonderful that you visited Carolyn’s ranch in 1984, saw what you saw and recognized the opportunity to learn! So many years to develop your connection.
Wilma
Great story of how Stony was able to be helped to accept dental work. How could you tell when he was ready to allow the rasp in his mouth?