Comments on: My Clinic on Catalina Island

By: Linn

Linn — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:28:46 +0000

What a beatutiful post, Carolyn! And what a wonderful place and a arabian horse to dream about! If living in the US, this would be my vacation-spot for me and my horse!

By: Farah

Farah — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:54:14 +0000

I love this work Stina posted of Ephraim Chaurika. It is beautiful!

By: Robyn

Robyn — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:02:12 +0000

hi there,
just a little observation about Patch, my daughter’s pony. I’ve been sharing space with him and my Andalusian Tom who has a light delicate touch and hangs out with me at every opportunity. Patch is dominant, so I’ve been practicing catching him unawares from behind as well. The other day I noticed when he came to push my book around that he has a heavy touch. At first I assumed he was being dominant as usual, and went to shoo him away, and realised that maybe he just touches strongly (which i notice he does with the other horses) so I didn’t react, and let him feel me all over with his lip. He took a deep sigh, positioned himself behind me and i woke up with him a while later. It was a good lesson for me in allowing him to be himself, and learning him as an individual, and a great relief for him. We’ve both been more thoughtful of eachother since.
Thankyou for giving me something to play with that’s not “me telling him what to do”!! I think ponies especially get bossed around a lot (by people and horses), and it’s heartening for him to be heard.
Thankyou also for giving my mind and heart something to play with, and the permission to follow this direction which i started as a child, sleeping on my shetland pony’s rump as he grazed.

By: Mitzi

Mitzi — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:55:50 +0000

Wow ! Carolyn…you never cease to inspire me !!
I too am missing the WRIC group calls , but am continuing to getting that magical connection with my horse .
I too love creating ..in fact I make jewelry from horse hair .
My website is
http://www.equinetrendz.com
Click on BraidedTales to see
I have made many a bracelet for people whose horses have passed over the Bridge…it has warmed my heart by doing this as it’s a way to honor and celebrate our dear equine partners.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:24:41 +0000

I have just finished reading Naked Liberty. Carolyn, I used to have one of your earlier videos when I was around 11 years old, and I actually wrote a letter to ask for more information, but I don’t think it ever got mailed… However, recently when I was taking Equine Behavior as part of my Diploma in Equine Studies from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, I remembered the phrase “liberty training,” and looked that up, and I found you! I am overjoyed. I have wanted to learn your training method ever since I saw that video. I took notes, and I still have the notes. I remember trying out your method with my mare Sugar when I lived in Guatemala, but I don’t think I got very far- though I did learn to give my horse my full attention, and that horses move towards what moves away, and away from what moves towards them.
I am wondering if you could write more about the transition between groundwork and riding. Do you always advocate no or very little tack? What about riding schools- should all the students spend a few months on the ground getting to know a horse before they learn how to ride? Right now I’m writing a business plan for my course, and I’m writing about starting a pony club/lessons/training facility, and I’m wondering about horses used in this situation. Of course I would want them to be willing participants in teaching kids and adults how to ride, but how does that work in a business situation if the horses decide they don’t want to be ridden?
As I’m in school, I don’t have much money for books or videos, but as soon as I can, I’m going to get more of your material- I can hardly wait!