Horse Information - Path of The Horse

I have already told the story of how my long-time friend and CertifiedTrainer, Robin Gates, overcame resistance with a horse she was training. For what it’s worth then, here is my opinion on how Robin viewed and dealt with the situation.

To get the performance and respect from a horse, you need to understand the mind and nature of horses and figure out what would work with that horse in that moment of time. You will also always come up with a better strategy coming from a place of unconditional love and connection rather than wanting to lay the law down as soon as you’ve got the horse in a good mood. In other words, you can lay down the law better with an open heart!

On the other hand, one sure way for failure is to take the love too far and expect the strategy to work by showing the horse too good a time, thinking that the respect and responsibility will follow naturally. Most likely the horse will be less responsible because you did not create the necessary requirements to build responsibility and willingness in your horse.

Do not depend upon a formula alone to work for you without all these considerations. If you listen to that smart side of your nature and understand all that, then the right strategy comes naturally.

It’s about focusing on the relationship not on the method, and this isexactly what Robin did. Remember, you can get many different results using the same strategy. When a horse shies on a trail, a pat could reassure a horse and stop the horse from shying or teach a horse to shy because he thought he was being praised for shying. Always, it is how the horse perceives your communication that will give you the results you get. It is very important therefore to feel the vibration of the horse and allow the vibration of the horse to direct your next move.

The 4-step formula on how to develop your strategy in training horses:
• Work on the basis of unconditional love and your need for respect and performance;
• Listen to your better judgment;
• Look at all the possibilities and have alternative plans;
• Work with your horse on what fits his abilities and broadens his wellbeing.

From this point of view, you can be the magic behind any method you use IF (this is a big if) you understand the nature of horses. It is important to understand that there is a lot of planning and adjustment to be made in leadership to build a proper connection with a horse after the cookie is eaten.

To learn more about Carolyn, her lifelong relationship with the horses and her quest to findthe ideal communication method between man and horse, visit Carolyn Resnick's siteand read her book Naked Liberty published in English and German (Tochter Der Mustangs –Daughter of the Mustangs).

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