Starting with the Uberstreichen Exercises
Jan 28th, 2010 by Carolyn Resnick Method
Today I would like to share with you a video by one of my students using the Uberstreichen Exercises. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
This video clip I made yesterday.
I put the camera up in a tree and started. Before starting I have been reading on Carolyn’s UE Thursday blog and I had printed out the first two exercises and read them over a couple of times and also watched Farah’s and Carolyn/Alexandra’s videoclips on UE. So after the theoretical preparations, I did the mental preparations which was to clear my mind. I clear my mind by watching some video clips of horses, it can be the Unbridled Spirit Videos or listening to a few music pieces. I did not watch the Waterhole reflection DVD yet of Carolyn, but this is the kind of video you can use to clear your mind.
You may notice in the video that I am not distracted of the other horses and I am very focused on what I am doing. My mind is right there 100%. Through my journey so far with Carolyn, one thing that has surprised me the most is how much of what you want to achieve is in your mind. Clear your mind, set your mind and then through the Waterhole Rituals you can “just do” new exercises with out “training”.
This may sound a bit strange but through clearing my mind, sharing territory and doing the other Waterhole Rituals some times, I could make this UE video clip with no “UE training”. What you see in the video is the first time these two horses are doing UE.
I started with giving love and thanks to my horses. That prepared me for working with them, other times I start with sharing territory or a game or exercise to tune focus and attention, it all depends.
Prior to starting the UE, I have worked with the Waterhole Rituals for about two years. Before I have trained basic classical dressage from the ground while I lived in Denmark. The idea of the UE reminds me of these exercises where the goal is first of all to get a “loose relaxed” horse in the head and neck. But there is a very big difference in achieving this smoothness.
I like the UE because it is very logic way to smoothen up and prepare the horse for training. How we are taught to start the UE is through very small steps, asking head a bit down, moving the nose a bit, walking and stopping, lowering head a bit. I like all theses small steps and all the details it really works for us.
The Waterhole Rituals have prepared us and the horses fully trust “giving their heads” to me. We can together focus on what we are doing and not all kinds of other things, so through the Waterhole Wituals we have reached a unity that enables us to continue learning together because we are connected.
I was very focused on the timing, the 5 minutes, the 7 seconds, the 15 feet and the 5 seconds and had gone through this in my mind a few times before starting. I took a deep breath and counted to seven. I walked over the lawn to the horses and counted 15 feet.
I was thinking of what not to ask the horses this first time with UE and that was not to do the 8 figure with the nose and also ask too much arch. I know that most likely my horses would take a step back if I asked for the arch. When Carolyn had watched this video, she me realize that the horses had offered a bit of arching without me asking.
Isn’t that amazing?
The next times we work with the UE I will carefully ask a bit of the nose 8 figure and the arch.
I can be reached at stina@richmondvaleacademy.org.
Love Stina
Do you see what a great response you can get from your horse if you start with the right preparation? As I mentioned in Tuesday’s blog post Liberty Training to Riding Your Horse, maintaining the connection is key to whatever you choose to do with your horse and if you couple this with focus as Stina did, you get great results. Well done Stina.
Have a great weekend
Carolyn
Related posts:
Hi – thanks for posting Mary, I was wondering whether the blog was still active and now I know! I am looking forward to Carolyn’s response to you as I had that problem way back when the winter blog course was going on. The WR have to a huge extent helped, my horse is much more relaxed about this now but I have to keep sessions short or he gets cross and nippy again!
I would like to ask Carolyn for clarification of one aspect of the first UE too. When the horse is standing with a relaxed enough neck and poll, we move on to very gently rocking the nose from side to side. Now my headcollar on the horse is quite wide and roomy around his nose; do I pull the headcollar to the side so it in turn moves the head, or do I use my hands to move his head? or get a tighter fitting headcollar? A close up of the actual nose of a horse in this part of the exercise would be superhelpful actually, any chance of that?
many thanks
Susan
(IC Italy)
Dear Carolyn,
When I try to hold just so lightly to either sides of my horses halter he really dosent like it and tries to nip at my hands. I am not forcing or anything like that. Should I just stop each time he does this and try again later? My 5 year old arab tends to get mouthy when he feels unconfident -
Dear Carolyn,
Thanks again for another inspiring post!
Lori
Dear Carolyn,
Snow after snow here with such poor footing. We have mainly just returned to the first exercise and the horses are grateful for the interaction as they are greatly bored. Feeling a bit sad to return so little for all you have been giving, student and teacher. Thanks for the loveliness of Stina’s work with her horses, seeing the spirit of the work in practice. Tend to forget even when not “working,” one can bring an attitude of presence/an openness and regard for the horse’s being.
Be well,
Nan Pantle
Hi Carolyn
Thanks for sharing Stina’s video. I loved the comments on the mental and spiritual preparation that needs to happen before you connect with the horses. That is an area of importance that of which I am becoming more aware and striving to achieve.
Hello,
Carolyn, with regards to your action against Rollkur: did you hear about Philippe Karl, who is also doing this in Europe?
I signed his petition a while ago, and received this e-mail now:
——————————————
Dear Madam, dear Sir,
On 9 February 2010, more than 20 experts will attend an FEI meeting in Switzerland to discuss once again whether the so-called hyperflexion (“Rollkur”) is an adequate method of training a horse. In order to support the opponents of this method and offer them further arguments, a petition has been initiated at http://www.no-rollkur.com. We’d like to invite you to support this action against hyperflexion – time is short!
You were so kind as to sign our own petition calling for reforms of the FN rules, which was initiated in May 2009. This obviously bore fruit: The German FN eventually invited Philippe Karl for a meeting in Warendorf, Germany. They now have to find an appropriate date. We will of course keep you informed about the outcome of this meeting.
Thank you very much again for your support!
Cordially,
Philippe Karl & his team
—————————————
I thought you and others would pherhaps like to know.
Best wishes!
great to see this. really helps me learn when i can see it done. hope stina demonstrates the rest of the exercises!
Hello Carolyn,
Just checking in. Was away from my horse for about 5 days, but when I saw her again she was calm and dropped her head quite quickly. Somedays she has trouble standing still for very long. These exercises are starting to have an effect on her that nothing else has had. As soon as I get a chance this week I will view Stina’s video…I love her clips because of their beauty and what I can learn from them. Thank you both.
Diane Paine
Good morning, Carolyn,
Checking in. I was struck by the lightness with which Stina works/plays with her horses and the lightness of the exercises. I can imagine how beautifully it would translate to riding with lighness for Stina.
Karin
Slow, easy, graceful. Stina, You and your horses are lovely. Thank you for this inspiration and to Carolyn for providing the guidance and forum. I am truly grateful and know my horses are too.
Connie Funk
I just realized I checked in yesterday on a subject that was posted last year. The Sorraia Center 2 and the previous post before mine was April of 09.
This is just a new check in to let you know ALL the horses here and I, are enjoying the UE. My mare August is the one who I started it with, but everyone is interested and all have benefitted from sessions.
Dear Carolyn and dear Stina
It was so lovely to see that Video and helped me so much as inspiration and from a practical viewpoint. It is true andneeds to be said again and again that the mind plays this important role and that everything comes from that in the end.
I learn more to be in tune with my horse and go in his pace and adapt and learn from him, so we went back again to the first UE and that feels great actually!
Thank you for all you offer.
Katja
Hello Carolyn,
Thank you so much for sending Stina’s video on to share with us. Stina did a great job demonstrating the UE. She and her horses looked so connected, peaceful, and happy, which of course I’m striving for with my relationship with my Arabian. Seeing the UE visually helped me immensely in understanding float holding the head, and doing the whole exercise. I practiced today with my horse and we both found it very relaxing while he was lowering his head at standing, and taking walking steps. It surely helps to develop the connection with your horse that I really enjoy.
Have a pleasant weekend.
Cheers, Barbara and Monie
birroyal@aol.com
Beautiful work Stina, thanks for helping us visualize it all.
Dear Carolyn, Checking in as usual.
Stina, what a wonderful video – a true inspiration, and watching the youngsters learn too was great learning for me.
Many thanks,
Joanna
Hi Carolyn, checking in and thanking you for sharing the video, and thank you Stina – inspirational.
It’s good to be reminded of the importance of the focus, I am seeing now how we loose our connection the moment I let a thought come in and get distracted, I am working on this in all areas of life, not just with my horse friends and it’s amazing the shifts it brings.
Thanks again
Ang.
Thankyou Carolyn and Stina, lovely video
I’m jealous of the beautiful warm weather.
UPdate on my REina, she is doing very well. We have only done the first exercise due to the weather here, but she is starting to give me a beautiful neck tuck each time I enter her stall. I don’t even have to ask. And her overall attitude is much improved.
I have also been doing a modified version of the first exercise with a horse I do regular body work on. I stand at the side and hold her head in my hands, asking for the lower and tuck. I see this horse once a week and she is starting to get it and it is relaxing her. My goal is to get her to do the tuck so she can begin to use her back. I do this after I have done the body work as a final exercise and it is working nicely.
-14 degrees this morning here in Wisconsin
Evergreen
Checking in Carolyn – wonderful to see this invaluable resource and thank you so much Stina!
I got my dvd’s of Waterhole Rituals and Liberty Training on Wednesday. Carolyn when I think you were doing all that 30-odd years ago I just feel amazed, so so incredible. what I particularly loved in LT was the way you used huge energy but oh-so-subtle signals to the horses. Lordie if only I hadn’t been putzing about here doing things that made me feel uncomfortable but not quite knowing where to look for guidance …. there was no internet or www then, so how wonderful that we can all be here together now following your lessons!
And watching Stina!
happy weekend to all,
susan
Thank you Stina for the great video. As said before you feel the conection from you and the horse(s).
The biggest thing I have learned with my mare this winter is that the minute I lose focus with her she leaves me, mentally or physically (or both!). It can be something silly like worrying what other people are thinking of me. I lose her. Yet, if I truly focus in the present on every little nuance I can get pretty amazing results. I have learned that if I think i’m going to be distracted it’s best to wait for a better time to be with her.
I love this video, Stina. It calmed me just watching it! My mare would love this. I’ve been doing Parelli with her but that can stress her and she gets confused (I’m probably not helping!) This soft gentle work is beautiful.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Love
Judith
Hi Carolyn and Hi Stina,
Great video and lovely work. It helps immensely to see you in action
Wonderful connection and concentration. I wanno go work with my horses even though its extremely cold and there is ice everywhere !
Thank you so much for so much inspiration.
Wow Stina…….. this is so beautiful….
What struck me the most is that I could feel the ‘vibes’ of your focused attention just coming through my computer screen and giving me the exact peaceful feeling and state of mind I need when being with my horses (in fact: when ‘being’ anywhere at all). So powerful, yet so peaceful, so 100% focused. I just have to take a break now to really realise the extent and the power of this feeling. Thank you so much Stina!!!
Hi Carolyn,
Checking in again. We are back to normal weather for us here – storms, rain and wind – and I am continuing with the UE exercises.
Stina, another great video. I completely resonate with what you said about clearing your mind first. I love your soft approach in the video and also that the horse stays focused on you despite other horses being around – my challenge! The youngster lowering and raising his head in imitation was fun to see.
Many thanks,
Máire
This video just made my day! It was just beautiful! Thank you, Stina and Carolyn, for sharing this!
Hello,
thank you Stina for sharing. I always enjoy watching all your videos, through which I’m learning a lot. This one confirmed me that what I have been doing so far with my horse, I ‘ve done the right way.
I “envy “you your wonderful climate and place
Bye, Andrea
Thank you Carolyn and Stina for letting us see how it is going.
I agree that it has to be settled and ‘right’ in my head first, all the stars lined up and then it is possible to just go out and DO IT.
Realising just how LIGHT the touch needs to be – can be. If a horse can shake off a fly on its hair, why would we need to touch any harder to get a response?
Hi, I am new to the blog. I had been doing clicker training–looking for something that would make the horses want to be involved and look forward to doing things. I was interested in Carolyn’s comments about the clicker training in the link to Moving on with the UE exercises. My Arabian gelding and half-Welsh pony had both gotten too impatient about getting the reward. I am waiting to get my copy of Naked Liberty–ordered it Wednesday. So today I just tried hanging out in the small arena/paddock with the pony, with the Arab watching from his pipe corral area. The pony approached, went off to do things, approached, and off. I asked him to walk with me and he did–from the clicker training he had already gotten the idea. But today I gave no treats and he accepted that. The Arab got really excited watching us, like he wanted to do it, too. But he was halter trained (a Res. Champion in NWest his youth, as well as an Arab Liberty champion). When he got his turn, his idea of hanging out was too extreme–he wanted to play, which included bolting and kicking out, about 5 feet away from me, but way too close for my comfort. I have known that I need to undo some of his prior training, especially his kind of “Liberty” and I plan to contact Robin Gates who lives near enough to me to evaluate him and give me guidance. Unfortunately, I cannot do the UE exercises with the Arab just yet, because he was recently diagnosed with painful arthritis in his neck which may have contributed to his bolting under saddle while doing dressage–pinching on the nerve due to fluid build up. Once he gets shock wave treatment in his neck, I will start trying the UE exercises. He has been pretty good about the Parelli/John Lyons head down command, and clicker training made him do it very readily but with a look out the corner of his eye waiting for a click. I imagine the UE experience will be quite a bit different, however. Love the blog.
Virginia
Dear all,
waauw!
I really enjoy reading all your comments, I am so happy to share this journey. Lots of sun, wind and rain from St. Vincent /Stina
PS: I caught part of this interview today. You can listen here.
It is Diane Rehm interviewing Barbara King, biological anthropologist and author of BEING WITH ANIMALS. She is in our tribe I think. Very good!
http://wamu.org/programs/dr/
Thank you Carolyn and Stina. Stina you have a good skill of describing step by step what you are doing which is very helpful to my learning and feeling the exercise. I also appreciate you putting into the words the importance
that Carolyn places on getting the human mind “right” before beginning.
The blog has made my day!
Stina’s video was great. Working here is off and on due to weather but my horse is doing quite well with the UE.
Thanks for all the videos and blogs.
Hi Carolyn, Hi Stina
Thanks so much for the wonderful video – I am more a visural learner and this, as well as Alessandra’s video, helps me gain a focus in a way.
Beth and Cookie,
in Virginia
Thank you Stina and Carolyn. These videos always help so much. I like to watch them very closely and observe body language from both the horse and human as well in this case from the other horse. Stina the dialog in words is helpful in print as well since sometime it is difficult to hear narration. Thank you again, your full impact of sharing these gifts to others may never be known, but horses and humans perhaps in far away places will have better lives because of your generosity. Leanna
Just beautiful. Your connection is so special, I think I can learn a lot from your video. Thank you so much!
Dear Carolyn,
Thank you for sharing what Stina’s been doing. I reap great benefits from watching. My own horses are still on UE 1, but doing much better than even a week ago. Thank you for your blog and sharing your information.
Toni
Thank you for the post and video. Very helpfull to see it all in action!
Thanks Stina and Carolyn, lovely to watch. Can’t wait until I can go outdoors with a sleeveless shirt on…ha ha:)
Cheers from Minnesota.
Stina and Carolyn, wonderful work, very relaxed, in-tune, smooth and beautiful.
I can only hope to find such a connection with my mare some day…
Thank you