Horse Information - Path of The Horse

This is from a lady called Jan, who wrote: I have an off-track thoroughbred(OTTB) who is extremely intelligent and overreactive, has had many bad habits from racing and is easily bored. He also resents being told what to do so I really work to find what he likes to do best. He has had foot problems for the past three years but is now sound. We have been through a lot together and he really trusts me but he does not always listen. I still have trouble keeping his attention all the time. And any time he does not want to do something that he thinks is boring, he throws a huge fit!

He was obviously forced to do things and beaten before I bought him. He hates having whips pointed at him but I can stroke him with a TTEAM wand. He is a wonderful, sweet horse with a big heart and is also a comedian. I am looking for ways to work with him that will be acceptable to him given his background. He is adverse to force and coercion. He has made great progress but I still have trouble. How can your techniques help this horse?

Here’s my reply:
Sounds to me you have a caring nature and you are an experienced horsewoman. In response to your question, my answer is Yes!

My Method would be most valuable to you and your horse, and the problems you are having with your horse are exactly the issues it is designed to fix - like trust, motivation, force, wellness and nature.

I want to point out that he does not need to be fixed. I do not believe his fitful behavior needs to be fixed. I would calm him down when he throws a fit and ask him to do something he would enjoy doing and develop a program that you know he would respond well to and that would not bore him. I have trained hundreds of horses with my Method and I have never found a horse that the Method bored. Boredom is a sign he is being asked to do something he does not want to do. I only work with a horse when he is willing to work. I give him a reason to want to work.

Before I start any training I build attitude focus, respect and a desire to learn and perform. I first shape the horse’s character to fit in harmony with me before I expect any performance out of him. I must build a willing attitude in the horse to want to pay attention and have a desire to learn new behaviors. But even before that I must build a bond strong enough that the horse would trust me as much as he would trust his own Mom. He would not be afraid of me with a whip in my hand. Your horse still does not trust you enough because he is still afraid of a whip and he also does not approve of your program from your description of his boredom.

Your horse will be happy to hear that working the way I do there is no force or coercion. My Method works with the desire and interests of the horse only. I work a horse at liberty around food that is on the ground that he would like to have and if he wants the food he must listen to me. One of my first lessons I offer a horse is that he can eat all the hay he wants if he’s keeping an eye on me. This builds a habit in staying focused. Horses love this game and take to it right way. The program is designed to be enjoyable to the horse and his owner. He gets many puzzles to solve and enjoys solving them. He leads the way to his own development through what he responds to.

I shape his character to have a work ethic, and if your horse is a clown he naturally has an ability for a work ethic; he just needs my program to get him started off on the right foot.

The reason my Method is the Foundation for all Equestrians Pursuits is that once you develop a working partnership with it, everything you do with your horse will be received with a desire to learn. My program is not interested in performance it is interested in connection, communication and partnership building. With my Method you will develop a superior communication system that is magical. Once the trust issues are handled he will not over-react. The over-reaction is only your horse’s desire to be understood. I do not think a horse should have to fit into a program. I think a program should fit the horse and his specific personality.

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).

View more Path Of The Horsearticles.

Follow us on Facebook.

Comment on this article using the Comment Function below. Discuss this article with otherusers on the Horse Forums.

Joomla Templates and Joomla Extensions by ZooTemplate.Com