Carolyn Resnick Horsemanship Blog: Horse Training from the ground up

It’s really touching that people have been responding so deeply on the subject of such a small issue regarding a horse being so unwilling to have a halter put on, or the horse being so freaked out about the need to rip away from a human, because of the distasteful feeling of being with a human.

I appreciate that many people are willing to take the long journey to build a relationship with a horse as Robin and Carry have done with Pony.

In the traditional programs of leaning how to fix problems with horses, the problem gets fixed from an overall system and does not take in to consideration of the needs of the individual horse and human. Recently I watched a Youtube of a horse, he has a similar problem as Pony, not as bad, but still a problem of putting a bridle. The method just used force and persistence at the time the horse was fighting to get away.

I am working on my book and I just finished my prologue and what I wrote really pertains to the subject of how to approach really big problems such as with Cary’s experience with her horse. It requires… Read more

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Carey Sweet rescued “Pony” from the race track. He was to be euthanized. She had rescued other track horses before and welcomed him into her life. In spite of her best efforts, his head shyness and jumpy reactions to movements or being touched escalated over the 7 years she owned him. She left a breakaway halter on because she couldn’t take it off without him exploding. Even unclipping the lead rope would throw him into a panic. Whenever he was loose he was nearly impossible to catch unless he was ready to come in for dinner. The situation became increasingly worse, as she didn’t have enough information about how to help him past his fears. After he panicked and crushed her mother into the wall of the stall, breaking her leg, Carey felt desperate. A respected source referred her to Robin Gates who’s work is based on my Method.

After 2 hours of trying to connect with him, Robin advised Carey to have an experienced body worker visit Pony because of the injuries he had inflicted on himself in his outbursts and then bring him to her ranch.

The first days at the ranch were spent simply being with him… Read more

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Today I am going to share another question from an Insider Circle student about some typical expressions horses have and how the Waterhole Rituals can help you understand them and work with them.

While participating in a clinic at Return To Freedom with Neda De Mayo (2007, I believe) I was introduced to your way of being with horses and have been practicing ever since. HUGE breath of fresh air! I have no words to describe the gratitude I feel.

My questions are:

1. Horse pins ears when walking toward food, with or without me walking with him. What does this mean and how would you shape his behavior, or does it matter?
2. Sour expression, pinning ears while companion walking. What does this mean and how would you shape his behavior, or does it matter?
3. Head slinging when sending away quickly. What does this mean and how would you shape his behavior, or does it matter?
4. What are your insights on mutual grooming as a herd behavior? Does it matter who initiates it? Who usually initiates it, lead, dominant or lower in the order? Is this a ritual that can be used to strengthen the bond and shape

… Read more

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WORKING WITH THE WATERHOLE RITUALS: RULES AND GUIDELINES

As we go along, you will learn many ways in which your approach can affect the relationship you share with a horse. The rules of your behavior will change according to whether your horse approaches you, or you approach your horse.

The rules for working at liberty to bring about a true instinct in a horse to want to bond and stay with you are:

1. If the horse does not like the direction that he is given, he goes away, signaling you to stop your interactio
2. To reconnect, you must seek permission to enter the horse’s personal space through the Hello Ceremony.
3. If the horse objects by walking or running away from you, you must then go away, giving the horse time to naturally choose to reconnect.
4. When you direct a horse when you are in his personal space, it should always be a request, and if he doesn’t respond to it, you drop the subject and walk away.
5. If a horse walks up to you and steps into your personal space you can be more assertive
6. If you are too assertive, your horse will leave you and you

… Read more

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Our Insider Circle class and the “In a Box” program are now over. It is such a worthwhile project bringing horses and humans together in a deeper bond from winning respect through allowing the relationship to grow naturally. I also focused on having the class develop a deeper understanding of horses from Sharing Territory with a horse in a way that fosters friendship, cooperation, and intimacy. The interactions that occur around Sharing Territory bring about a magical communication with a horse.

Mark is leaving up the Youtube videos and the questions section for a while, and we can still stay in touch with one another on my blog.

Going forward, I would like the class to communicate with one another on my blog on topics about the Waterhole Rituals and the relationship and communication that is developing with their horses, as well as any New Horse and/or New Human sightings!

The other day, I saw a man sitting with his horse in a field in a chair reading a newspaper, that is and example of a New Human sighting.

Please, feel free to stay connected through my blog, so we can still share with the world our everyday experiences with… Read more

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Hi. I’m delighted to tell you about another workshop on my Method that’s taking place in September near Santa Rosa, about an hour and half north of San Francisco. The workshop features my dear friend and long time student, Robin Gates.

I’ve known Robin for more years that either of us would care to mention and I am really proud to have her represent my work, she is a phenomenal horsewoman. If you are anywhere near northern California in early September, I really recommend you go along to the clinic, especially if you can’t get down to me. If you want to bring your own horse, you’d better get in touch quickly as I know she only has a limited number of those places available. I personally love to watch Robyn at work and so even if you only go along to audit, I know you will benefit hugely from seeing Robin in action. If you never seen her train before, I can guarantee it will be beyond your expectations.

Details of how to book are on the flyer below, which you can see in a larger size if you click on it.

For those of you in the Insider… Read more

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As you all know, I am working full time on my next book. Right now, my focus is on compiling the rules and guidelines to follow when using my method.

Rules and guidelines are what makes any method functional. It is all about the dos and don’ts in how to approach a horse. Following the rules judiciously is what creates the success of any method, not just following the rules.

Here are some of my suggested rules and guidelines:

• Wait for the horse to come to you and want to interact before interacting with him; or wait until you feel the bond is mutually shared in the moment.
• Never work a horse in a place he is not comfortable in.
• Never ask for anything until your horse is feeling safe, secure, and willing.
• If you lose willingness, change your approach, and focus on returning the willingness and relaxation.
• When using tack, when a horse resists or pulls, release the contact.
• When using tack, do not pull against resistance, unless you are using it in the Uberstreichen Exercises in a relaxed, benign manner.
• When your horse walks away from you, you walk in the opposite direction, to

… Read more

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