Carolyn Resnick Horsemanship Blog: Horse Training from the ground up

Hello. So sorry if you were expecting a blog post yesterday but it was one of those days and I didn’t get round to finishing this till late. Anyway, here is the fourth Uberstreichen Exercise for you to have a go at.

Before I get into it though, each time you practice the exercises, start them from the beginning and do them in order. Remember your horse needs to be willing and in a good mood before you start. Before I start training, I spend at least 15 minuets Sharing Territory with my horse in whatever place he is kept. This way the glue and the connection is always re-established. Stand in front of your horse on a dropped line when you begin each session. Pause for at least a minute and then walk around your horse. If your horse begins to walk off, take the rope and lead him back to the spot he was standing. Hold him for a moment and then release him the moment he is still and say “whoa”.

So, the fourth Uberstreichen Exercise is done like the third exercise with an addition of a halt when you are asking the horse to carry his… Read more

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Hi there. Before I get into today’s post, I wanted to remind you about the call I am doing on Sunday at 10am Pacific, 1pm Eastern on the subject of the use of rollkur in dressage and why I think it’s not only wrong but unnecessary. You can find out more about the call by going to the DressageDisgrace site. Here is the link: http://www.dressagedisgrace.com/teleseminar-carolyn-resnick

I invented the Uberstreichen Exercises to help me train dressage horses and then Arabian show horses for my junior students. They helped me produce more relaxation, performance and consistent collection at the shows for my junior riders. Libby Ouellette suggested the name Uberstreichen Exercises and I thought it was appropriate. She was a Hilda Gurney student at the time who was also a student of mine and is now a long time family friend.

Uberstreichen is a term used in dressage that is a test to see if your horse is in self-carriage or leaning on the rein for support. You release the contact rein and if the horse stays in frame without the reins for a few strides he is in self-carriage. If he falls immediately, he is leaning on… Read more

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I am ready to start us on a new adventure. Fall and Winter is the perfect time to take it slowly, stay in touch and meet new friends and so I am delighted to introduce you to:

Uberstreichen Exercises – Rollkur no more

My Uberstreichen Exercises are ground schooling to introduce the horse to the bridle for all disciplines to support both beginning and advanced training under saddle and are step two of the Carolyn Resnick Method to support all equestrian pursuits.

As part of my continuing effort to support my blog readers, I will be offering free beginning instruction on the Uberstreichen Exercises each week over the Winter.

To qualify and register for free instruction: Leave your full name, a brief introduction of your experience with horses, your interest in my Method, our history if we have one, and the name of your horse and his personal training background in the comments section of the blog. After each blog posting please check in by leaving your full name in the comments section of the blog so that I know you are participating and have read the new material. I will offer more support to the… Read more

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Have you ever dreamed about creating a better relationship with your horse?

I’m searching for an apprentice/working student, who has experience in horse training and a background in dressage preferably, to work alongside me as my personal assistant for a minimum period of at least three months.

The position is unpaid and in exchange for being my personal assistant and working in my office helping me write new teaching materials or creating new educational DVD’s, I offer you the opportunity of a lifetime to learn my Method and possibly go on to receive certification in it.

You will have the opportunity to work with my horses and assist me in teaching clinics and be coached in dressage with my Method from the ground and under saddle.

Times and hours are flexible but generally likely to be Monday-Friday. If you are interested in coming to work for me in Escondido, CA, please send your resume/C.V. to info@carolynresnick.com along with an email explaining why you think you would like to work with me.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Carolyn

Skill Requirements:

• Grooming and caring for my horses (feeding and cleaning is already

… Read more

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Years ago, when I was a kid at a horse show, I took a stand that was way before its time, and way ahead of anyone’s comprehension of what I wanted to show the world.

I was riding my Western Pleasure mare Rizeta, her nick name was Lover, and I had hung her bridle on the saddle and rode in the warm up without it. I put the bridle back on before the class and when I finished, I dismounted in the ring unbridling her, and told her to go back to the stall. She did and I followed her, along with a few people who were interested in what we were doing.

I was before my time then, but if more people did this today the tide would change and more people would be encouraged to join in. The point is that horses don’t need to be forced, they are capable of deeper bonds and abilities in partnering with us, and bits are not essential. Bits get a bad name because they are used improperly. I still use bits along with bridle-less riding and find them not at all abusive when one knows how to use them… Read more

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Hi. Thank you so much for all your comments to my post on Tuesday. There is always a danger when you are in the public eye and you say something, so your support is very much appreciated. I hear from Mark that the campaign is really starting to get some momentum and if you go back to www.DressageDisgrace.com, there is lots more information there and ways you can help.

Thank you too for the stories you have been sending and I’d like to share with you the following one, which came from Jeff. It’s the kind of story you need when it seems like the world is spiralling out of control.

Enjoy your weekend

Carolyn

Freedom and I have been together 10 years this summer. She came in as a baby in 1998 with two broken wings. Her left wing doesn’t open all the way even after surgery, it was broken in 4 places. She’s my baby.

When Freedom came in she could not stand and both wings were broken. She was emaciated and covered in lice. We made the decision to give her a chance at life, so I took her to the vets office.

… Read more

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It looks like we might not be running the ‘In a Box’ Program this winter after all as the weather looks like it will be too cold for most people, so I may end up postponing the course till sometime late spring. If this happens, those who have prepaid will have their tuition fees returned.

This is Julia Felton’s last week with me as a working student. For people who live in the UK and would like to learn my Method from her, you can contact her at Julia@connect-thru-horses.com. So now I am looking for another person that would like the opportunity to be a working student with me. I have a great horse for you to learn how to train bridleless and to develop your dressage skills under saddle with my Method plus all my ground training at liberty. You should be aware though that there is no salary attached to this position and you will have to take care of your own living expenses but of course all the tuition is free! If you are interested in this position or for more information, please contact me at info@carolynresnick.com.

Recently Mark… Read more

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