Thank you and an invitation…
Apr 14th, 2009 by Carolyn Resnick Method
Thank you everyone for your ‘birthday’ messages, encouragement and all the energy you have all personally brought to my site. When I share with you my knowledge of horses and how you can develop a connection for all your equestrian pursuits, my focus is to empower horses and humans alike to connect in partnership with one another, in harmony and understanding. I want to support all the different formulae and methods of training for self-reliant people. My focus is to help you to develop a communication system with horses that enables all other methods to be easier to apply. Last and most important of all is to help you to develop a connection to the heart and soul of the horse by following a path of harmony and unity.
As I indicated last week, to work with a horse you need some amount of natural leadership ability to create trust, respect, loyalty and harmony in a working partnership. The good news is most people have this ability to draw upon from their own life experiences.
How I improve situations for people who think they have problems with their horse is to focus on what is working in the relationship and not on what is not working. My Method is for people who have innate talent with animals and who can learn on their own through the life experience they share with their horse. My Method focuses on learning how to connect, how to build and keep respect, how to lead, how to be attentive, how to be nurturing and how to plan.
The Waterhole Rituals present an opportunity for you to learn horse behavior and thus not only be able to deal with your horse but which will also result in a true partnership. The Waterhole Rituals allow the horse to teach his human partner how to be a caretaker, leader and best friend. My blog focuses on sharing our personal journeys with our horses with one another. From sharing our success stories, we can lead others to the integrity of the universal truth in what role horses play in our lives today.
I would love to hear your comments how reading my blog has empowered the connection you share with your horse. So please send me your YouTube video links and photo’s to info@carolynresnick.com and I’ll let you know what I think how you’re doing.
Till next time…
Carolyn
No related posts.
Hi Carolyn,
Just checking in, learning more with each visit with you, Thanks! Deb
Nicole H
I am glad to hear that someone else tried this. I felt foolish after I tried this with my horse. It worked but then I thought maybe it was just a chance happening. I realize now I really missed an opportunity to share more with my horse. Maybe next time I will trust myself and my horse more.
One thing I have gotten through reading the blog and watching the Waterhole DVD and reading your book Carolyn is that it has made sharing space a priority. The dividend of sharing space for my is that I have actually spent more time doing the things that nourish me (while sharing space) such as reading novels, poetry, doing Chi Gung etc. things that get passed by so easily in life’s busyness. My horses seem to appreciate this change to my mind. They are happier to be with me for sure.
PS: I love hearing the story about your mustang, Vicki and Carol I would love to hear much more about your process with the Kiger mustang. I have 2 mustangs, one is an adopted BLM KIger and one is a Nevada mustang. They definitely require thinking outside of the box and for me to be the best human I can be!
Hi Carolyn
I’ve been hesitant to post because I do use your method, however, it’s only through your DVD’s and book so I am probably doing tons of things wrong. I also combine your ideas with other methods I use in training.
What attracts me to your method is your foundation of spending time with the horse. That is what I instincitively started doing with my mare over 8 years ago and I always wanted more knowledge about how this “relationship of doing nothing” was somehow making the bond that I knew was there. No other trainer or training method I’ve seen stresses this component like you do and I personally think it’s the strongest element of your message.
I also like how your method is done in a large area, lets the horse leave, and isn’t done with much trotting and galloping about on the horses’ part of the equation.
Your blog also helps give dimesion to the DVD’s and book; it helps me see what you are seeing from a different angle.
Thank you for making the link with horses approachable, safe and compassionate.
Hi Carolyn,
He loves to lay on his side while I pet him, its so cute. 
I never thought he would learn this so quickly!
Since I started reading your blog and using your Method with my horse, our relationship has improved so much! He is much more happy and willing!
Our communication has also improved a lot. Just a couple weeks ago, I taught him to lay down by having him mirror me! I would bend down, look at the ground and start walking in circles like I often see horses do before they lay down or roll. He started to mirror me and sniff the ground, then I would sit down, and after a few seconds he would lay down right next to me!!! I was very happy and gave him a cookie. Now, it has been about 2 weeks since I taught him to lay down, and a couple days ago I started trying something I read on your blog about having him wait while I go bring him his treat. I put the treats by the fence about 15-20 feet away from him and he will wait for me to bring them to him.
On the first week after I had taught him to lay down with me, I asked him to do it in a pasture with horses that were unfamiliar to my horse. They usually mind their own business when I take my horse in their pasture, but this time, a few of them decided to wander over and see what we were doing while my horse was laying down. My horse trusted me enough to keep laying down next to me even when big, unfamiliar horses were staring at him from a few feet away.
I didn’t let them get any closer, and I asked my horse to stand up after a minute, but I felt honored that he trusted me that much!
My horse’s manners are also improving a lot, with food, and especially with grass. Your tips about teaching him “Head up” and ” head down” have been very helpful.
I have also been spending a LOT more time just sharing space with him, or sitting with him while he grazes.
My horse is becoming a lot more willing when I focus on what works, and wait until he wants to offer more instead of working on the things that don’t.
I have been enjoying groundwork so much recently, that I haven’t been riding as much as usual.
I have recently started riding bridleless outside of the arena, which my horse loves.
Our riding is going great as well, we are working a lot on bridleless riding and riding with the cordeo.
Thanks!
-Nicole H
Hi, it’s me again, having just read through the comments so far, especially when people spend time with their horse, I thought i’d share one of my most precious moments that I have by sharing a relationship with my horse Marinero. We often just go for a walk him, me and my two daughters, just hanging out. My girls obviously like to play around and when we’re having ‘grazing time’ together all relaxed Marinero often glances at the girls playing, as if just checking everything is OK. It’s a small indefinable moment, but one that is worth more than any competetion win.
Thanks to you and all the great horseman that had courage to show us a different way and the conviction to stay on track.
Hi, my gelding last time just would’t let me drive him from behind even though earlier his trainer was doing it. So I let it go and decided just to share space. After awhile I went down to the far corner where a patch of grass is and sat down and ate a sandwich thinking he might join me… he came half way up and then turned back with a skip in the air sort of thing. So later there was machinery on the road, kind of stuff he doesn’t like, so I was reluctant to lead him back, but a friend said come with me and my old horse. Which worked just fine. When I came up he had a tear running down one eye, thought something was bothering it but later wondered if it was emotional as he was quite insecure it seemed. The girl at the barn helps me with him, shes quite out of the box. But am trying to build more trust and confidence so I can lead him and take him on the trail (even just on the ground). He’s 7 years next month, a rescue from the track I’ve had him a few years now and we’ve tried different things, we’re fine inside stall and paddock enclosed areas. Got any tips? Read your book couple years ago and have the DVD. He is very special to me and even though coming up with board cost is difficult I feel quite connected with him. My friend said come with us on the trail and he’ll be alright with my old guy, I guess that is one way to start? I find your blog so interesting too! and often is something that I’m dealing with… Thank you, sincerely, Diane
Hi Carolyn,
I have been hesitant to enter the blog because i am not too confident yet that I understand enough. But – I want to say that
I have your DVD and book and am reading it and trying to learn and
experience more with my horse. I am 70 years old, no prior horse experneice, and bought a mustang named Nevada. He was sold to me as a beginning horse and was not. He and I have gone around and around and I have been bucked off a number of times and almost given up. I have had him for 5 years now and have spent
a lot of time just getting my confidence back. I mistakenly thought
riding was the reason to have a horse. Thank you so much for opening the door to just BEING with him. About a month before I had your book and DVD I had a breakthrough with him without
knowing why. I learned Why from your book. Nevada has a corral mate named Blue who had colic and someone had to stay with
him until he would eat and poop. I sat with both horses for 5 hours.
I had never spent any time with them before. I had to keep Nevada
away from Blue’s food so I chased him away many times explaining to him why he could not eat it. I spent a lot of time that day grooming them both. It was like a miracle for me. Neither horse had ever shown much interest in me and that day they were coming up and rubbing their noses on me. Nevada even offered me his rear end to scratch! At first I didn’t get what he wanted but when I did that also opened a pathway between us. He and I have come a long way since that time. I am so happy
to read all the experiences of other horse owners. There is one
on the blog today that is also a problem for me and Nevada.
He stops and looks and listens often on the trail and then refuses
tp gp ahead. If I get off and walk ahead he will go along or if another horse will go ahead he will follow. I’m wondering
how to get him over this.
I am so grateful for your method and sharing of knowledge.
Thank you,
Vicki
Hi Carolyn,
I just want to express how much I enjoy reading your blog. My life has been really, really challenging for me this year on a number of levels–equine and otherwise, and I so relish sitting down during a nice quiet moment and reading what you and other like-minded horse enthusiasts have to say to one another. Some of the stories bring me to tears, some leave me pea-green with jealousy, while others reaffirm that I’m on the right path and that I’m not the only one having difficulties with my horses. The variety of responses show the wide range of experience everyone has, yet we all share your love of horses and your determination to become one with them.
I also need to tell you how much I’ve grown as a result of your Method over the past year. I’ve found that it has helped me immensely with Doolie as you’ve seen, but it’s also helped me so much with my injured Quarter Horse, Bayou. He fractured his knee last October, and the resulting osteoarthritis has severely limited his range of motion, preventing him from ever being ridden again. Bayou is only 16 years old, and will still have a decent quality of life as long as I do my part to occupy his mind and spirit since his legs are no longer useful to him. I’ve spent so much more time just being with both my horses since beginning my journey with you. I’m now keenly aware that I need to move away if my presence is not welcome at any particular time. I don’t force anything to happen. I am content to wait for a response, and if I am unsuccessful, I feel comfortable changing how I ask. Both your Method and blog give me creative ideas to keep my horses motivated, and more importantly, they give me reassurance when I hit the speed bumps that inevitable while training them. The bond I have with both my horses has strengthened tremendously in the past year, and I am learning how to fit more comfortably in a horse’s world.
Becoming familiar with your Method has given me the confidence to finally pursue my dream of owning a mustang. I’ve been intrigued with them since I was young, and this weekend I will be looking at a Kiger gelding named Banner who suffered greatly at the hands of an abusive trainer a couple of summers ago. His physical wounds have mostly healed, but he still has some emotional baggage that needs to be addressed. His owner has been waiting for the right person to come along to “click” with him, and I’m hopeful it will be me. I feel that with time and patience, I can heal Banner’s emotional wounds and give him a great life. Without understanding the Waterhole Rituals, I wouldn’t have the self-confidence to even try. If I do end up sharing my life with Banner, I intend to use your Method throughout the entire training process. I’ll keep a journal just for me, but I’d be happy to share it with you if you’re interested.
Thanks for everything you do. Love, Carol
I have expressed my enjoyment and success in using your methods recently and have been succesfully helping my clients as well get similar results. I wonder if you got my email about the blog i wrote about using the rituals?
Dear Carolyn,
You have been, and continue to be, an inspiration and a light for me and the camels, and our few horses.
I’m fresh back from Fiji, where I became re-acquainted with Fiji’s hardy bush horse, the “Jungalee”. I noticed many of the Fijians riding with bitless halters, or a rope around the base of the neck, and mostly without saddles.
If they could afford it I’m sure they’d be proud to own all the tack that most westerners attach to their horses, but not having the means they’ve developed simpler ways that work.
Formally untrained, many Fijians have developed their own unique ways of relating to horses and working with them.
The Jungalee can be traced back to Suffolk Punches and Shires who were brought to Fiji in 1851 from East Anglia.
Stuart
Hi Carolyn,
Having had my horse for just over a year now, what I do know is that my journey will be never ending. I am always re evaluating the things that went well, and those that did not. Reading your blog always gives me inspiration, especially as where I keep my horse is very ‘traditional’ in technique (Spain). Many times I feel under scrutiny for being a bit different in my relationship with my horse, and especially on days that weren’t so good, you keep me feeling grounded and on the right track.
Days when I can focus and feel strong in myself, our partnership can feel like pure bliss and connectected. Those other days when things don’t go well it can generally be back tracked to my ‘old’ ways of thinking. In myself I know I have to grow so much more to ensure my horse gets the best he deserves.
Which leads me to a question: on a trail my horse will often stop, look intently at something that I usually can’t see, and refuse to go forward, but as soon as I dismount, (in stead of getting into a battle that I wont win) he will follow me willingly. How can I develop his confidence in me as a leader in these situations, is it a matter of time or I’m I lacking in real leadership.
Yours with many thanks, Denise.
Thank you Carolyn!
I found that reading your blog has helped me to developed my skill in connecting to horses.
Today I was using the Rituals with a huge draft horse of a friend of mine, Gulliver. He is a silent leader in the herd but is arrogant and pushes with humans. Working with him with your method I had the surprise to see a different horse, gentle, calm, absolutely focused on me and so clever! I asked him to come with me to see a dog that just arrived, he understood immediately and follow me to the dog, like a curious child. He did the same when I asked him to go out the arena, just listen and did it very obedient. The owner was without words….me too!
Is fantastic that you will see our video, really a so great opportunity!