Talking horses again
Oct 10th, 2008 by Carolyn Resnick Method
Hello again. Today we are talking horses again or rather I was talking horses just last month on a radio show and I wanted to play you some of that today.
You may remember a post from a few months back with a clip from the online radio show Animal Talk Naturally, on which I had appeared. Dr. Kim Bloomer, one of the hosts, was kind enough to add a comment then to say I would be appearing again which I did last month and below is an excerpt from that show.
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Carolyn’s answer to Stephani’s question, and her whole approach really, is reflective of human behavior as well. She wrote:
“Agenda is good but needs to be adjusted to keep the connection. Most often times the horse is pushed into agend that is boring to the horse.
If you can bring the training to the horse in a way that inspires a horse to perform, you will not have to work on posture as you are because the horse would be active and in self-carriage.”
This reminds me of the alternative approaches to schooling children. Let them get excited about something and there won’t be many behavior problems or the need to try and make them learn. They, like horses, will want to learn if they are given something interesting to them, and in a way that they can trust and enjoy.
Dear Talia,
Yes. it’s amazing how important being with horses develops fine horsemanship skills. Neda De Mayo at Return to Freedom with her caretaking of wild horses is able to do many amazing things with them with no training at all. She sometimes can sit on a wild horse when it is lying down and the horse is just fine with it. Just like a bird that runs all over a horse’s back, the horse wants the interaction as much as the bird. Just like the horses that have choosen to lie next to you.
If people take the time with my Method has a chance of helping horse and human to a natual evolution of the Centaur connection and partnership in a dance of harmony and unity.
It is important to understand my Method is the gateway to important layers of connection with which someone can see clearly the purpose of each Ritual. I did not create the Rituals, I learnt it from the horses.
A person needs the ability to be able to set boundaries of personal space and never invade a horse’s personal space. To understand when to lead and when to follow and when to push and when to pause. To create a desire in the horse to perform under saddle. Practicing the Rituals will develop these skills. The performance must be build from inspiration from a true working bond.
You must have a nature to be tough like a horse and kind like a lover and most importantly interesting. A horse need passion, freedom to react and respond as it chooses and to understand limits. To feel safe, companionship and a leaderdship that is life enhancing. Please take pictures of your journey and write your book.
Thank you for your letter.
Carolyn
Dear Carolyn,
It’s a rainy afternoon in the north-east of Spain, where I live. As you know I was enthralled by your book which I read a year ago. Now I have just heard the radio interview on Animal Talk Naturally. You can’t imagine what a difference this interview has made to me.
I am a survivor of several different natural horsemanship methods, in fact, as a friend of mine put it , it would make a great book. After seeing my horses get thoroughly bored in round-pens, asking myself why on earth would I want my horse to stand on a box and turn around if I am not working in the circus, and finding everything taught was an expression of dominance to satisfy my ego but not giving a hoot about how my horse felt, I retreated from it all and decided I was just going to give myself time to reflect on where it was I wanted to go. So I decided to just hang out with my horses, six of them at that time, and have since spent many, many hours with them in the pasture. In fact I did my entire on-line Life Coaching course with my horses over 9 months (just as well it was on-line since my notes and book were always in a terrible mess by my curious herd flicking through the pages!). After a time of doing just that, some would lie down next to, others would nibble grass next to my feet and others would just potter about. When I commented to other fanatical-clinic-attending horse owners that I actually thought the bond was growing by just being there and not doing anything, I always got a strange look back and knew what was going through their minds. But, I have continued in spite of it all. After hearing you on the radio, I have smiled at myself thinking… “well, I wasn’t so nuts after all.” At least the relationship with my gang, now only 4 since two of my golden oldies passed away this winter, has improved considerably. There is still a long way to go but, that is another story.
Thank you once again Carolyn for your inspiration and wisdom. It’s comforting to know you are around.
Talia
Dear Stephani,
Agenda is good but needs to be adjusted to keep the connection. Most often times the horse is pushed into agend that is boring to the horse.
If you can bring the training to the horse in a way that inspires a horse to perform, you will not have to work on posture as you are because the horse would be active and in self-carriage.
Hope that helps
Carolyn
Hello Carolyn,
I am not sure I understand the idea of not having an agenda when working or playing with your horse. If we are wishy-washy, then won’t the horse not take us seriously and not see us as a leader worth listening too and playing with? don’t we need some idea of what we are going to accomplish when we go out to visit with them? or do you mean we shouldn’t force an agenda on the horse – for example, if the horse doesn’t feel like working on his posture that day then you play instead. but then what if the horse never wants to work on his posture and learn how to carry you with his body more efficiently. what then? do you see about purchasing another horse that perhaps has a better work ethic so to speak?
Everyone who reads this blog already knows that Carolyn gets the nature of horses. And if you enjoyed that 7 minute clip, then we invite you to listen to the entire interview:
http://www.animaltalknaturally.com/2008/09/09/water-hole-rituals-the-language-of-horses-show-195/
Carolyn, I constantly refer people to this blog who are truly seeking to know, understand, and apply true horse nature and then pay forward what they learn. Then we can exponentially grow the understanding and respect horses deserve and meet their needs. A repeat guest on our show, animal behaviorist, Dr. Myrna Milani, said this on our interview this last week with her (A Theory of Animal Mind) “We have a choice: we can relate to animals as it meets their needs or as it meets our needs. If we must choose – and we must – what’s it gonna be?”
Carolyn you are also a wonderful person to interview since you are always teaching – with such passion and wisdom. Thank you for taking the time to do so.