Healing With Horses

I just got back from a 3-day private workshop with Carolyn Resnick. The weather in southern California was beautiful with sun and temperatures around 20° C. Carolyn's method, "Liberty Training, Beyond the Whisper", is based upon the 7 Waterhole Rituals, which are key behaviours she observed in wild horses that allow them to live harmoniously in a herd. Working progressively through the rituals ultimately leads to a magnetic bond with the horse. An essential element of this method is that the horse always has the option to leave during a training session, ensuring that his participation is always voluntary. The approach is tailored to the horse's personality, interests and aptitudes. Training sessions are flexible and guided by the horse's mood and behaviour. If a certain training activity is not working out the subject is dropped and reintroduced at a time when the horse is more receptive. As is characteristic of lead horses, conflict, particularly with dominant horses, is avoided. A dominant horse instinctively fights for his position in the pecking order when he feels challenged.

I will be working intensively with my herd using Carolyn's method in the upcoming weeks. In March I will begin offering both Horsemanship Clinics based on the 7 Waterhole Rituals and EFP based on "Beyond the Whisper" horsemanship. I highly recommend reading Carolyn's book, "Naked Liberty". Her new book on the waterhole rituals will be released later this year. You can also follow her blog and watch videos using her technique at www.carolynresnickblog.com. Her DVD's "Introduction to The Waterhole Rituals" and "Panadero's Journey" are also very good.

Stay tuned for more information.

* Note: In order to continue my studies with Carolyn I am looking for someone to video some of my training sessions for her to review. If you are interested please contact me. This would provide a great opportunity to learn more about this innovative approach to horsemanship.

I am very excited to be leaving next week for a 3 day private workshop with Carolyn Resnick (www.carolynresnickblog.com) in Escondido, California from January 10-12. Carolyn wrote "Naked Liberty" in which she describes how she developed her method of Liberty Training, "Beyond the Whisper". The basis of her training method is "The Water Hole Rituals" that she discovered while observing and eventually integrating into a herd of wild horses during her childhood. Central to her approach is developing a strong "magnetic" bond with the horse at liberty. She does not use a round-pen, except for some advanced work. As she states in her book, "Starting in a round pen without a bond... creates a feeling of powerlessness... Restricting a horse to a round pen until he comes to terms with his predicament has little to do with my work. My method allows the horse freedom to escape anything he doesn't like doing. I never impose my will on a horse if the horse is not willing and happy to follow my lead... Friendship by choice, without resistance or capture, is the issue. This philosophy is my spiritual path and I have learned that I can put order in chaos and lead without entrapment or force from a unity that exists in every moment."

There has always been something about "Natural Horsemanship" that didn't quite resonate with me. I now believe this dissonance was related to the pressure that is involved at times with this approach. It is also very human agenda driven. On a deep level I seek to connect with horses in a way that nurtures mutual empowerment, self-dignity and respect. I would also like the freedom to explore co-creative fluidity in the relationship, thereby honouring the shared journey rather than focusing exclusively on a behavioural endpoint.

Stay tuned for updates from sunny (hopefully!) southern California next weekend.

 Check back to find out who slept here and see another mystery snow bed.

Dr. Allen M. Schoen, D.V.M., M.S., has expressed interest in contributing to my book on healing trauma in horses. Dr. Schoen "is one of the most sought-after doctors of veterinary medicine in the (United States). He frequently lectures at conferences and schools throughout the world and is an affiliate faculty member at the Colorado State University of Veterinary Medicine." (www.drschoen.com) Dr. Schoen is the author of several books, including "Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans and Animals Can Change the Way we Live" and "Love, Miracles and Animal Healing". He is a pioneer in the field of integrative veterinary medicine. His expertise with a number of alternative healing modalitites for horses will make a very important contribution to the project.