Carolyn Resnick Horsemanship: Liberty Horse Training

Second Annual Free Course, Winter 2011

Welcome to week 5!

What we have accomplished up to this point is that your horse can stand on a dropped line or without a line, and will stay in place while you walk around him to the right. (This is the beginning of you horse learning to stay in tune with you without governing his performance. You are creating a horse to be more responsible and in self control.  For a horse to do well in self-carriage, your horse will need the desire to follow your request, and then carry out what you ask of him without your constant direction.)

What we have also accomplished now is that your horse will allow you to take a floating hold, and that your horse will drop his head down at any lower level you ask for. (It is important that your horse is willing to put his head in a lower frame anywhere you request it to go, and hold it there in a natural way.)

So far in this exercise you are getting the horse to unlock the base of the neck where the neck ties into the shoulders. You are not yet… Read more

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I can’t believe how much fun we have all been having during this Beyond the Waterhole Rituals™ Clinic! The other day we had the opportunity to visit the ranch of a dear friend of mine, Linda Harris. The following photos that I am sharing with you were taken at her beautiful ranch with her wonderful Thoroughbreds! Thank you Linda for giving us this very special opportunity!

As the photos show, our weather has been truly spectacular! You can see the beautiful sunlight that seemed to gently touch everything around us with a sparkling golden hue. Everything was perfect- from the crispness of the air, to the excellent Companion Walking dance that we shared- it was one of those days that I know I will never forget.

I would also like to share a poem that Kathy Cavanah wrote during our poetry break out session. Thank you Kathy for sharing your inspiring words!

Elmo and the Bucket Game by Kathy Cavanah

The bucket’s there,
I stand and stare.
I want to move
but I don’t dare.

I’m on my spot,Read more

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Hope you all are staying warm and enjoying the holidays! We are in full swing of the WRIC and In–the-Box Program’s Beyond the Waterhole Rituals™ Clinic and I wanted to share some of the highlights with you! Our weather has been great! We have not had any rainfall, and some days have actually been T-Shirt weather. Sometimes we have to bundle up in the morning, but then it warms right up. The girls in the clinic inspire me to work till the sun goes down! As for our daily activities, we have started with morning meditations and Sharing Territory ™. Then we go into Liberty Dancing, Uberstriechen Exercises, and Single Lining. My horse Liberty has had the opportunity to demonstrate the Dinner and Dancing room as well! Alessandra’s horse Rosalie has been the star teacher! I think we are all having a great time- I know I am, and so are the ponies! I am amazed at how fast the class is learning. The Insider Circle and the new Extended Circle program for next year, is definitely the way to go. We are getting rid of the name “In the Box” program – nobody wants to be in a box!… Read more

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Sorry we missed posting on Thanksgiving! We hope you shared some lovely quality time with your family and your horse! Today I wanted to share a story from one of my Insider Circle students, she writes…..

HI Carolyn,

I just wanted to share with you what happened today with my horse Jeri. Jeri is a Thoroughbred/Trakhener and about 15 years old and he came to me as a green broke 10 year old. I bought him to show him in dressage which I did successfully. He is the kind of horse who will to do what you want when tethered to you but he never really had his heart in his work.

When time permits I have been doing the WR with him, so about 2-3 times a week since the WRIC course started in April.

Today as I shared territory he stood in front of my chair, relaxed for 5-10 minutes. He spent a few minutes with his nose touching mine just breathing in and out with my breath. It was a very magical moment.

Later I did some companion walking. He just connects to me as soon as I get off my chair and start walking. After a

… Read more

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Today I’d like to share a question from one of my Waterhole Rituals Insider Circle Students….

Dear Carolyn,

I have 3 horses and now I work with my 18 year old gelding, Vince. He has a special character: calm, dominant, very proud and sometimes stubborn.

At the first ritual from the beginning he is hanging around in the arena slowly, eating some hays and visits me a few times for a few seconds only. BUT: after 20-30 minutes I used to take a walk and he immediately joins up to me and follows my direction and tempo. It’s a fantastic feeling like there would be an invisible rope or glue between us. When I sit back he accompanies me and spend a long time close to me. There is no any rude behavior except during our walk, when he sometimes crosses my way – so I send him away softly and it’s enough.

I can’t take ‘saying hello’ and difficult to start ‘leading from behind’ because he is always with me – near my shoulder – when I’m not sitting.

My question: I know, how to stop him but I don’t really know is that a good action to

… Read more

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Hi everyone!

I want you to know how much I look forward to your comments. It lets me know that my blog is being enjoyed and appreciated. If you have no comment to make, it would be nice if you could leave your full name and say something short like “checking in, thanks.”

For new people coming to my blog, my blog is a classroom. It is not meant to be a typical chat room. I am here to inspire, encourage, and support you in how to use my methods. Lately, I have noticed that the comments are changing a bit. Some comments are about what someone else might learn from your knowledge or expertise. However, I want to be the guide rather than the class calling on one another for guidance. There is much to be learned by staying in your personal journey without advising others. This is the atmosphere I want to continue to maintain.

Focusing on your personal journey as a practice in awareness has an extraordinary ability to grow your understanding and connection with horses. Recall when you were a child in kindergarten enjoying a learning opportunity. You were only aware of your journey,… Read more

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I have another new horse sighting. It was with a student of mine. She had not ridden her horse for some time and rode him. She started him back with all the precautions one would take to bring a horse back, but did not share space with her horse or make a great personal love fest connection. She did not do that with this horse because she never needed to do the rituals with him before.

Well, he bucked really badly but showed no signs that he would object to her getting on him at the time. She was sure he was fine. During the bucking, he paused and she jumped off. As soon as she did, the bucking continued. As she stood there in shock, the horse stopped bucking and gradually walked back up to her. At that point, she thought that getting back on again would not be a good idea and decided to take things much slower. Over the next two weeks, she worked her horse by hand walking him, sharing territory, and lunging him. He was also tied up around the barn and horse trailer. Occasionally, she would saddle him up, but not ride him,… Read more

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