The Sacredness of Intention
Sep 7th, 2010 by Carolyn Resnick Method
Today I thought I would share a lovely letter sent to me by Connie, one of my Insider Circle students.
Dear Carolyn,
Thank you for your reminder to us about how subtle and important intention is when we are with our horses.
When I first was leasing my horse, I was purely in that place of making it all about him. That was how I dreamed having a horse would be and I was continuously thrilled having him in my life. That has not changed after proudly becoming his person and spending the last couple years with him.
In the beginning, others said my first horse should be such and such, and he should not have any lameness issues, perhaps should be older than 5+ years, etc…however, I persisted because this horse deserved to be loved as every horse does and I felt a deep connection with him. I had his teeth done, sheath cleaned, nearly fused hocks injected, and tried chiropractic and acupuncture to help the front leg issue…it was expensive, but it worked. I believed in him and saw the treasure within. I was involved with him because of the joy we felt with each other, because of something deeper within.
Then, I started riding and those around me filled my head with confusing things about sending him away for training, putting him in a frame, teasing me for ‘spoiling him’ and spending so much time with him, enjoying him, reminding me of the ‘rules’ of obedience that he should follow, etc. So much noise that it dulled my ability to hear my intuition. I was amazed at the confusing world I had entered, never having imagined it would be so complicated, only ever thinking of it as a wondrous relationship between an amazing animal and a person.
Then I herniated my cervical disk, couldn’t ride for 6 months and found you. I studied your books and videos and it all resonated with what I felt having a horse was all about. Then the gift of your class, and Monday’s call with wisdom on Intention.
Yesterday, I went to the barn with the pure intention of it being all about him. I cleared my mind, and just loved on him. I groomed him while he grazed, rubbed his legs, smoothed his face, itched his ears, stood next to him with my belly to his and my head resting in that wonderful little pocket behind his scapula, my arms draped over him, indulging in his scent, his movements. It was the start to a magical time. Later he helped me pull tall grass around my trailer and pulled up some Queen Anne’s lace, walking towards me with a flower hanging out of his mouth, which he dropped on the way. I brought it home and put it in a bud vase.
We shared a magical ride in deep relaxation and communication.
My riding instructor is amazed at the rider I returned as, after that 6 months, he can’t quite believe I am the same person because my riding is so much more relaxed and fluid and the relationship between my horse and I is so much deeper. He is thrilled and curious. I attribute it to the learning I am doing with you.
The right intention builds a magical foundation, is so natural to our instincts, but can be blocked by the noise of those who have forgotten this magical key. The right intention should be something woven through every class, every moment that we are with our horses, every moment that we are striving to live an authentic rich life.
Thank you for the reminder, it is a key I will always carry with me.
I apologize for the length of this, but I haven’t written in awhile and felt led to share my heart with you. I am saddened that our class is coming to an end, but hopeful that there may be a continuation class of some sort so I can continue my journey with you. Thank you.
Thank you for your letter. This kind of letter is never too long. It is all about the sacredness of the experience we share with horses.
I think many people see my Method as just about working at liberty rather than riding. As I’m sure you know though, this is a long way from the truth. The importance and benefit of the time we spend together with our horse, building the connection like Connie did, cannot be under-estimated in anything we do together. As you have read above, when you add the power of pure intention to this level of communication, riding becomes an effortless dance too.
Have you experienced this in your riding? I’d love to hear.
Till Thursday, enjoy the time you spend with your horse. True inspiration is often found in quite unexpected moments.
Carolyn
No related posts.
Dear Carolyn and Connie;
Beautiful letter! So true about the outside world taking hold of how one should be with their horse. I too get caught up in it from time to time and think my horse should be this or that and that her training should be so much more than it is. Sometimes you just need to stop and just listen from within and listen to the whispers of your horse.
Yesterday, After working on turns, forward-back, halt and stay, I just went and sat next to her while she ate her hay. I sat there and watched her and she watched me and I thought that an awesome time spent with her. Then it came time for me to leave. I stood up and put my chair away and said good-bye and went to leave. She ran over to the fence and blocked my way out and just looked at me with such sad eyes. I stood next to her and just waited. She layed her head softly across my shoulder and I started stroking her neck. (She never allows me to do this, other than grooming). We just stood there like that and I kept stroking her neck first one side then the other for about 30 minutes or so. Then she backed up and it was ok for me to go. It was a very precious moment for me.
Thank you so much for your blog, because without your inspiration and “the Sacredness of Intention” I would have saw this action as being a rude behavior. But instead I hesitated long enough to share in a very unique and special moment with my horse.
Catra
That was wonderful to read your letter again Connie.
Sometimes it’s difficult to not imitate what we see others doing especially if we deem them to have more experience than us.
Through Carolyn’s WR class it gave me the confidence to start all over with my horses on a new path.
I already felt I had a good relationship with my horses but I didn’t see what was missing until I immersed myself in sharing territory. That was when I realized how much I was missing in the behaviour and body language of my horses.
This summer ended up being the summer that I hardly rode my horses and took them no where. Normally I would be meeting with friends once or twice a week with one of my horses to play together and then ride. This summer I decided to just focus on the WR. How much richer my bond is with my horses now is how I imagined it should be but never was. It is just as enjoyable to hang out with my horses in the field as it is to ride them.
Today I went out into the big 11 acre field. The horses saw me coming but didn’t approach so I thought I would just sit in the grass and see what happened. In no time at all the 5 horses were marching over to me, curiousity written all over their faces. Several months ago I never would have thought to do that.
These moments are pure pleasure and it makes my day.
Horses are a wonderful part of life and we must be sensitive to their needs and desires.
I thank my horses every day for being with me and sharing space. What could be more peaceful, grounding and in the moment than that.
Hi Carolyn,
I’m writing here as you requested about unrelated question. I’ve adopted a weanling, a colt, and I’m trying to employ the things you teach. One thing I am curious about is food. I know more than anything they need what nature offers, but as it is, he doesn’t always have access to that. My question is, what is the best food to offer him. I’m feeding him grain with hay and sometimes alfalfa.
I’ve been introduced to the Dynamite Products, but haven’t purchased any, although my friend who uses them has seen great results with her horses.
Any suggestions, would be greatly appreciated.
Daphne
Dear Daphne,
Consider your colt’s breeding and then talk to a breeder of your colts breeding. As a local vet. Do research on what people are doing today. I have not been in the breeding business for 15 years, things are different now because hay is different. Depends on the region the hay and what kind of hay you are talking about makes alot of difference in how to approach you supplemental feeding. Have your hay analysed, then you can pick your supplemental feeding appropriately. Feed as simple as possible. Loading up on supplemental products can be too much on the liver.
Talk to a barefoot trimmer, they are really quite knowledgeable on nutrition. That is want I would do.
Hope this is of help
A beautiful letter, thank you!
I’m not yet back to riding after my accident, but I enjoy just walking with my mare Clarence and her boyfriend Coco over the field from one fig-tree to the next, from one appletree to the other, eating fruit together and having a good time with grooming, scratching, having water showers (Clarence did not like them before). It’s so relaxing and all daily problems so far away…
I send you a video clip on water showers in liberty
Greetings from Italy
Andrea (IC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd7Q9q7tLAc
One of the main benefits of your training method is that you can use the principles regardless of the horses stage in the training process. It also allows you to keep the connection going between you and your horse even if one of you can’t perform because of an injury or other limitation. Kudos to your student for wanting to enrich her horses life whether or not he was going to be sound enough to perform at a physically high level.
If someone barged into your house several times a week, bossed you around and made you do chores for them you would not look forward to their visits. If the same person showed up regularly to visit with you and have a good time and then asked for your help on something you would probably help them without hesitation.
In the end your horse doesn’t care about blue ribbons and championships. What matters is the connection that you share.
I would like to share a little story about Sharing Territory and Saying Hallo.
It is a never ending source of joy for me to have learned these two things.
Today was a gloriously sunny day and I went to spend some time with my friend’s horses, 3 of them in the pasture
One of them is an Arab mare, who came to the farm with a reputation of being “unmanagable”, she was very defensive, biting and kicking. She has calmed down a lot, but always shows apprehension and nervousness, pulling faces, throwing her beautiful head up and down, defending her space. The first “Hallo” today was accompanied by much uncertainty, the second had an equal amount of curiosity in it, and allready the third was completely at peace! And then, she ambled over to me, nuzzled me a little and started grazing right by my feet, as relaxed and happy as I have never seen her before. I left her completely at peace, just sharing the peaceful moment until she wandered off.
It was so healing for both of us, because, to tell the truth, I had been more than a little afraid of her.
You hit the nail on the head for me with the statement that riding, too, becomes an effortless dance when you add the power of pure intention to this level of communication.
I started twice to write a BRIEF comment about the amazing success I have been having recently with riding by extrapolating the principles I learned in your ST course. The problem is, the changes are pervasive — a thousand little things that make a significant difference. I seem unable to describe it briefly. Here is my best stab at it:
Just one example, Max — I am starting under saddle a huge 8 year old TB gelding (18.3) who, due to an accident as a 4 year old, has never been ridden. His accident left him unsound for years. He is now 98% sound again and I think regular riding will help develop his muscles and make the restoration complete. The problem is that he is unconfident about his balance, and this is vastly exacerbated when I am sitting on his back.
My solution, which is working like a magic wand, is pure Carolyn Resnick, if I do say so myself. The first two weeks I simply got him comfortable standing by the mounting block, then letting me climb on and off him repeatedly, then just standing still as I sat on his back for a count of 100 – a really long time. Finally, when he no longer lifted his head or shifted his position when I got on and sat there, I asked him to walk on. That was when I realized I had a problem. Most youngsters feel somewhat unbalanced and awkward when they are asked to carry me for the first time, but Max was off the charts. No only did he have trouble finding his balance walking, but the feeling really, really worried him (his catastrophic injury took place when, as a youngster, he tripped and fell the third time I sat on him). I tried to create a clear channel with my seat, hands and legs (riding in a halter), but he did not have the experience to rely on my guidance and his concern was palpable. It was a calamity waiting to happen.
So I asked myself, “What would Carolyn do?” And I answered, “Create a strong incentive for him to do what you want – in this case, walk forward in a straight line and get used to the feeling of moving with me on his back.” Nothing easier. I put a barrel about 100 feet away in a straight line from the mounting block and dropped a handful of grain on top. We companion walked from the mounting block to the barrel a few times until he got the picture. Then I climbed on and cued him to walk to the barrel, which he readily did. He was fully focused on the grain ahead and spared barely a thought for the extra burden on his back. I jumped off as he was munching(a long, long way down), petted him until he found the last grain, led him back, and did it again a few times. After a few days I added a second barrel. That’s were we are now. Someone took a picture of me riding him yesterday. Looking at it makes my heart sing: His head is low and relaxed, he is stepping confidently, and I, nearly 6 feet tall, look like a kid on a grown-up’s horse, wearing a child’s wide grin.
I recognise it too, just taking the time to share territory and get a feel for the horses mood really improved my riding a lot. It makes me listen to my horse, and realise that sometimes she doesn’t understand, but tries really hard to do the right thing. Recognising that, I can adjust my aids in a way that she does understand and isn’t abusive. Ususally it’s about subtle shifts in weight distribution.
Checking in – wonderful to read this lovely letter from Connie again, thanks!
I have made a conscious effort this week not to take my problems to my horse but to leave them at the door – hey, I say to him (saying it out loud helps to make it really happen…) I’ve had such a rough hard day at work but just seeing you makes me feel light and joyful and happy! If I start by apologising about how tired or tense I am etc etc he switches off, but with this ‘you make me happy’ approach he is very loving and relaxed and invites me to scratch his itchy bits – so having the intention to be joyful with my horse really works for me and is appreciated by him.
best
susan
IC course, Italy
Dear Susan,
Yes, thank you for sharing. I call this a new human sightings
To the class;
A helpful note- When things at work become stressful, focus on the joy you have with your horses to help you to relax and stay positive. Then when you go to your horse give him your full attention and become present to the moment with your whole being and give no focus to what you are wanting to let go of. Focus on the building relief you have no control over, notice the miracles around you- Notice the things that are feeling better. Be in the moment of your horse and put your attention on life.
It is amazing what little shifts in awareness do to your out look and stress reduction.
Horses can repair us and make us once again whole. Giving them your full attention and caring about their feelings in the moment brings them person well being. As we let go of your egos we receive the nurturing we give to them back to our own heats.
In those moments our hearts beat as one and we are both feeling up lifted from being in the presents of the other.
What Susan is bring up is very important to how we can serve horses and how they care play a part in our well being.
Again thanks for sharing.
The above letter from Connie expresses the exact kind of experience I have had – (not riding yet – my horse is young & not yet trained & I am inexperienced). But, as far as the relationship & ground work I have done with my horse, people have had that same rigid advice – not to love on your horse too much, always make them know you are in control, etc., etc., & every time that I started to follow that advice (against my better judgement with a nagging sense that it was not right), it set me back in my relationship with my horse.
Watching Carolyn at liberty with the horses, is much more than that, it is a deep connection of mutual respect & trust. Since I have gone back to that & being true to what I inately feel right about, my horse is calmer, & wants to be with me more, sometimes now, even staying behind when his pasture mate goes on out. Carolyns work, as well as the advice of a long time friend who I used to ride with & was up visiting recently, have helped me to reafirm my own intuition. I am learning from my horse, as well, to trust my own judgment & if something does not feel right, that most of the time, it isn’t – especially those strong, gut feelings, that cause a person to feel sick about what is going on.
This information has truly inspired me to stay focused & believe in what I am doing, regardless of what others around me say or do.
Thank-you all so much for sharing & blessings to each of you!
Brenda
checking in and wishing once again that everyone who has a horse, or dreams of having a horse, would follow your teachings.
I copy some of the blogs and send them to my friends with horses hoping that those friends ‘see the light’ and join your blog.
This is such a beautiful post, and reading it the second time is even more rewarding. thank you
Thank you Connie for your beautiful and eloquent letter.
This is a beautiful letter Connie
Thanks for sharing Carolyn
Love
Monique
Exquisite. This is truth in all its flowering. How happy I am that such a place is becoming a well-packed trail for us all to follow….
With deep respect, Amber
Thank you Carolyn! You are one of my greatest and most favorite teachers. The things you have taught me and are still teaching me are priceless!
Today, Oscar and I simply sat (& stood) side by side eating our lunches in slow motion, alone in the vineyard, with rolling hills sparkling diamonds of sunlight at us, just busy doing nothing. That’s when we do our best ‘something’ together. He is settling into his new boarding situation and we will do absolutely nothing together, day after day, until he grabs his halter and lead and drops it in my lap or at my feet. There is no guess-work with his communication if I wait long enough and mind my own business. This wonderful woman’s letter reminded and validated the importance of keeping one’s own wise counsel. No wonder her horse gave her a flower! Good for her for listening to herself.
Did that letter from Connie just say so beautifully how we all feel. Thank you Connie for sharing with us. Just today I had one of those magical moments with my OTTB Magnum. He has been having some lameness issues so I have not done much riding. But thanks to the WHR I am just staring to draw this beautiful creature to me. For the first time after ST with him out in the pasture. Then I walked to another part of the field. He came over and said hello. So I got him some nice grass on the other side of the fence. Then told him it was time for me to go. When I started to walk to the barn. Who was walking by me. My beautiful Magnum. Walked with me all the way to the barn. I wanted to cry. Thanks Carolyn.
Dear Carolyn,
I love your blogs – this one and especially the last one. They are islands of calm in my busy day. I usually have to wait till I am alone in the evening to read them , to enjoy them, to get in “the groove”. It is the same when I am with my 25 yr old friend “Pagan” (Polish Warmblood, old Trakehner breeding). I have to close off the world completely to be accepted by him. Even when I am riding and walk with loose rain he is fine as long as I am concentrating and I am mentally with him. The moment I think of the office , just for a second, he jumps instantly sideways (about 5 feet) to alert me that, if I am not 100% with him, he would rather be alone. He forces me mentally to let go off everything else and give myself to him completely. but I will be richly rewarded for that.
And with your blogs it is the same: I have to take the time it takes and retreat to a “mental” island to reap the rewards.
Juergen,
Hello Again,
Connie’s letter brings tears of joy to me – the time I am spending with both our two horses – Tucker and Wandosa, just being with them and using your methods to make friends, has shown me how very much more there is to this relationship then just riding. When we go walking together it’s like being with your friends and it’s all so relaxing. I do ride, but not every day, sometimes it’s a few weeks between, depending on the weather. When we do ride, it’s so easy – maybe not exactly what an instructor would want, but so easy and comfortable and I feel it is how they are experiencing it also.
I wish the whole horse world would realize how easy and warm this friendship with horses can be and how totally wonderful. Thank you for allowing me to learn. I spent many years riding and jumping with “old ideas”. An accident changed things so that I couldn’t ride for a while and will never jump again, but your methods have given me so much more than I ever had or knew possible
Best Wishes
Samantha Martel
My heart finds so much peace in reading her letter. I too feel the same and have been through the thoughts she went through and have found the joy. I have recently found the sacredness of napping with my horse in the pasture (both of us laying next to each other while he dreams). Its somthing I could have done so long ago if i had slowed down enough to just “be”. And its helped our bond so much!! Such a great reminder. Thank you for that gift today
Carolyn,
Just checking in. Thank you for refreshing us with that beautiful entry and posting it for those haven’t had a chance to see it. How did we and the horses all survive riding without having this closer connection? I myself can no longer mount a horse without spending time with them first, not only out of safety, but out of respect for the individual wearing the saddle.
Leanna(Innercircle class)
checking in
Greetings, checking in.
Hi Carolyn
It was wonderful to read Connie’s letter again, and after the lovely day I had yesterday even more so.
We’ve been having horrible wet weather the last month and everything is sloppy and slushy, so sharing territory is most of what we’ve been doing, but not every day. Yesterday was the first gorgeous sunny day that I’ve been home for in weeks, and although it was too slippery to do more than “mud-skating” I spent time, one by one, with five of our six horses. Such a magical day!
The best bit was spending a long time with my “difficult” mare, and then after her turn finished, having her hang around the gate as close as she could get to me and seeing how much she wanted to do more. The soft expression in her eyes was a priceless treasure for my soul.
love from Sue
checking in. Very nice to read this beautiful letter from Connie again.
What I find most inspiring about Connie’s amazingly beautiful letter is how easy it can be, when you understand what to do (and what not to do), to draw these wonderful animals to us as genuine friends.
Why, I wonder, did the common practices of horsemanship go so wrong? Why the cacophony of coercive techniques? Your insights about equine behavior come as a welcome surprise to many of us who all our lives longed to know how to evoke cooperation and true affection in our horses. Your ideas are so simple and easy. Surely they should be common knowledge by this point in history, when for millennia some people, at least, must have wanted what we want? Why did force and domination become the prevailing tide? It is harder to do it that way, not easier, and certainly uglier.
I can relate many examples of the impact your recent WR course has had on my riding recently. It is hard to choose just one, but I’ll think about it and pick a good one to share when I have time to write more.
Thank you for publishing such a wonderful letter. It just makes me smile
Dear Carolyn,
in my experience, everything is in this intention and our energy. Horses are so sensitive to it, they read it within less than a second of us arriving in their field of perception, and when my intention is clear, genuine, joyful, then my horses don’t mind that I ask for much more, even that I get strong in my request, than if I was muddled or scattered. It seems to be going directly even to the very biomechanics of their movement. Riding is no different. People always think that riding is all about technicalities. But it is a liberty dance with direct and constant physical contact. How would a perfect companion movement in rhythm, balance, and in harmony not change everything you can do with your horse when riding?
I hope you have a great week.
Christian
checking in
A friend of mine whom I had not ridden with in nearly 2 years was AMAZED with the transformation of my what she described was my “borderline dangerous horse”. She couldn’t believe at how calm she had become, and how insync we had become together.
I totally attribute this transformation to using your methods with her. While I loved her so and felt bonded to her from the day I got her, looking back the feeling was not mutual. Sure she tolerated me, but she did not seek out my love and affection until I started using your method.
Thank you Carolyn for helping us achieve a truly mutual wonderful relationship. She is the apple of my eye and I think I am becoming hers as well! What a gift!