Working horses on a regular basis… or not
Oct 15th, 2008 by Carolyn Resnick Method
The lesson I would like to discuss today is how our horses behave when they have not been worked on a regular basis.
Normally, if we turn a horse out in a big field and just leave him for a week or maybe a month and then bring him back to ride, he will often be just wild. Most horses need to be worked on a daily basis, five days a week so that we can depend on them not to be too out of control. I find that interesting because horses we train with the Waterhole Rituals do not have that problem.
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Hello,
I am new and just finished Naked Liberty and the Waterhole DVD. Very exciting. After watching the DVD, I realized my wild mustang had taught me all of those rituals! Clever fellow….
But my comment is about my other horse, Picasso, a 6 yr old Friesian-Lipizzan. I bought him as a yearling and have done all of his training. It’s been trial and error on both of our parts, but he has taught me as much as I have taught him. Lately, I have been stressed and have not seen him much. He is in a pasture, so I am not worried about his physical health. But because I have been both physically and emotionally absent for him, I believe he was hurt. Upon attempting to rejoin with him, I got the cold shoulder. I deserve it. I know I can repair our partnership, but it was heartbreaking for me to realize I had hurt him, and he was going to make my feel it.
Previously, this horse and I would dance. And I mean dance together. Recently, he shows little interest in dancing or playing with me, and when I turn him out in the arena to play, he will choose to talk to other horses over me, something he never used to do.
I am glad I found this method (although if I had applied my mustang’s lessons, this would be more famliar for me now). I have all confidence I will repair my relationship with my dear Picasso. But he going to make me work. lol
Kathryn
Carolyn,
I am coming a bit late to this discussion, but it is taking me a while to read through much of your material here. I wanted to comment on this topic from the perspective of the individual horse’s personality, something I don’t believe we can ever ignore in our relationships with them. And also to look at what we define as “out of control.” I’m going to use the stories of one of my own horses as a means of translating my somewhat nebulous thoughts into words. I am likely anthropomorphizing quite a lot, but I really do see horses as very emotional creatures, even if their emotions are comparitively short-lived and in the moment as you say.
Flash is an extraordinarily joyful, exuberant personality, and one with an exceptional work ethic. He is also a very dominant personality. I see both of these aspects in my efforts to work with him, but also very much so in his interactions with the herd. I have always thought of him as a horse that “needs” to be worked frequently, even though he is turned out in a fairly large plot 24/7. Your story here has given me reason to think about that a bit more deeply, and interestingly it hasn’t really changed my perspective on him. Anytime he has been out of work for much time, whether I have spent any of that time just relaxing with him or if I have truly been away entirely, he is almost always more “difficult” when we come back. I’ve realized a couple of things about this. One, he is not genuinely “out of control,” nor has the depth of our bond changed at all. Instead, he is just SO overjoyed that his excitement gets the best of him and he sometimes forgets how comparitively fragile I am. He LOVES to work and can be very demanding about it (I should mention he is a competitive trail/endurance horse, so not being ridden really is a BIG step down in activity level for him). Two, his dominant nature is CONSTANTLY verifying and challenging his social structure. I watch him every time I turn him back out with the herd, whether it has been an hour or several days, and every single time he makes sure every member is well aware that his dominant status has not changed. He takes a stroll around the whole pasture, chasing them off hay piles, snuffing noses with any who dare to greet him openly, and squealing at any who return his snuff until they back down – mares and geldings alike. The only horses he has ever had any issues working near whether in arena or on the trail are those who are similarly dominant and could potentially challenge him. I think he does that same thing with me to some extent – just “making sure” I am still leader. I’ve come to accept these aspects of his personality and rather than try to out-dominate him or squash his joy, try to reach compromises we both can accept (“yes, you can be playful and nippy but you may not grab my clothing or I will bite back” or “we can canter for a bit here but if you buck we need to halt”). He still constantly seeks that “line” but it never takes him long to settle in and find the happy medium.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this.
Thanks,
Vanessa
Dear Stephanie,
My blog is quite new and we will have all the Rituals up soon. I would like to see everyone purchase all my material because I developed each DVD to be used in the order that I believe people can grasp the Method best. That being said, if you wait we will have my my Method using the Waterhole Rituals outlined for you on the blog.
The purpose of the blog is to support my students that know my work and to get people started on the programs I offer. It will smooth out soon.
The Rituals
1 – Sit with your horse and read. This will develop a deep bond.
2 – Say hello to establish respect for your horse’s boundries and develop trust.
3 – Taking territory creates respect.
4 – The horse can eat if he keeps an eye on me. This will create focus that will translate to all work under saddle. It will also make a brave horse.
5 – Leading from behind takes away fear and aggression and develops a work ethic.
6 – Companion walking and trotting exercises the magnetic connection most vital for anything you do with your horse
7 – Go trot and come up tests all of the above.
The centaur connection dancing at liberty with your horse like the boy in the Black Stallion movie. Stephanie, try going through my book and find each Ritual and if you do I will give you one DVD.
Carolyn
When I get back from some time away my horse sulks and lets me know that she is not impressed that I left her behind. She watches my car come in the drive just as enthusiastically but when I go down to chat to her she turns away and faces her rump towards me. After a few days (and some licorice) she comes around and is as good as before. Its very funny to watch.
Carolyn
I just discovered your blog a few weeks ago. I’ve read Naked Liberty and was thrilled with it. My question is about waterhole training. you mention it many times in the blog, is there a post somewhere on it, or should I purchase the dvd. (I’d do that anyway, but would like to get a little info on it, if possible).
thanks
I also want to say the Panadero is out in a paddock during the day and only in a stall at night, so gets self exercise.
Stina, thank you. Debra also, thank you for your astute observation and for taking the time to develop a deeper connection with your horses. I learn each day how to become a better care giver, dance partner, program director and party planner for my horses.
Carolyn
This is so true. I did a 3 day clinic 2 years ago, and since then each time I go away on a trip my horse is much friendlier when I return, the longer I have been doing the practices with him. The bond gets stronger and stronger. It’s been a progression from “Hmph, I’m mad at you for leaving. Talk to the butt” to “Well, where the heck have YOU been?” to “Oh, hi, I’m SO glad you’re back, I missed you. Let’s play!”
Better and better!
yes i am just experiencing what you are writing, its nice, its how it “should” be
regards stina
Dear Carolyn,
It never ceases to amaze me how timely your words are. I have been taking care of (feeding lunch to) a sweet Morgan who lives next to my Romeo. His humans are gone for a few days. I’ve also been talking with one of the ladies at the Barn who is planning several trips during the holidays, and is looking for someone to ‘work’ her horse for her while she’s gone. So the subject of working a horse, or not has been on my mind. Intuitively, I have felt that if there is a true bond within the relationship between the horse and their human, then that horse will just be so glad to see his/her human, no matter how long it’s been! It doesn’t make sense that the shared love and connection could just evaporate. Once the horse opens his heart and receives that devotion and sustainable commitment from his human, why would he doubt it’s existence? Thank you for clarifying this! It seems that the kind of training a horse receives when he is considered only a beast of burden is the same mind-set that thinks you have to ‘work’ him if he’s been out of your control for a while. Yikes! What about trust, respect and faith that the connection you have made with your horse is what keeps the bond, no matter what distance, no matter how long? I can only imagine how glad Panadero was to see you, because he knows that you respect him, you give him wonderful jobs to do and you teache him really fun, interesting and praise-worthy things to do! Obviously, the connection you have with him is timeless!
Much love,
Debra