This lesson finally dawned on me after taking some focus on leadership training. It's interesting how this lesson correlates to people. When a manager is always approaching us because they have an agenda, we can learn to get anxious whenever they're around. When a manger is just hanging out to spend a little quality time with us, it becomes a different culture. I tried this last week and the result was amazing. Thank you. This year is a year of attunement.
I was lucky enough to be around a herd of 8, then 9 horses for 11 years. Many different breeds with an equal amount of personalities. Of all of the owners, I was the only one to ever simply hang out with them in the (way) back field. Some of my best memories are from those times. I will never forget fairly early on, being able to walk up when some were laying down, napping in the sun & no one jumped up. It progressed from that to the Arabian liking to lay down & oh so gently resting his head on my lap. Quite an honor but take with caution. I knew these horses & was accepted by them. When the Arabian wanted to get up, he would lift his head slowly & wait until I removed my legs & myself out of his way until he jumped up. True joy & friendship.
I learned early on from a mentor something I call "the leadership walk"...taking 10-15 min's to walk the pasture and making myself very aware of the sights, smells, sounds, which way the breeze is coming in, etc, before doing anything with my horses. I remember the first few times, my horses just watched me from far away, but by the third time, they started following along. I began to notice a difference in their level of trust and calm.and focus on me.
Its true. Wonderful way to connect with your horse and watch the heard ect. I coukd go on but ive learned so much from walking the oasture and also just being and no explanations.
@@davidbeazer9799 It is really interesting isn't it. It wasnt until after doing this for a couple months that I put two and two together (others my be more brilliant than me and have put it together much more quickly), but there are some typical attributes of leader horses....first, they do not tend to approach other horses straight on like dominant horses do (think about how so many of us go straight to our horses when we are thinking of haltering them); second, they tend to be very aware of their surroundings and so the Ray Hunt quote that "Horses know what you know and they know what you dont know" comes into play (they perceive whether you are aware of all the little things they are aware of).
That’s a brilliant idea. I will be back to work soon, so I have to work in a way to be with them more. I’ll get up earlier, and instead of feeding and rushing off to get ready for work, I’ll stay at the barn and have my coffee with them. Thanks!
Italian Traditional Catholic I agree. The horse as a creation of the divine can have that peace, especially when we don’t mess it up and make it more difficult to feel. Stating her horse is at peace in no way takes away from Jesus Christ.
I had a horse for two years...three trainers later, I found you at the Mane Event in Red Deer, Alberta. It changed my life. That horse now has more friends than I do😉. You’re working with nature, not exploiting it...👏👏👏
In one video you called this the "10 year old girl training method." Simply hang out with your horse. As a woman who was a horse lover girl, I would do this all the time. Your discovery really resonated with me.
This is one of my favorite videos series! (All of Warwick's videos are amazing) But when this series first came out, it inspired me to take a step back and just reconnect with my horses. I managed to do some liberty work with my 3 y/o gelding and finally loped on him this fall. 😁 Warwick's mindset on training horses is a breath of fresh air and has really opened my eyes. I know see that my once 'lazy' and 'broke' old reliable gelding is actually shut down and anxious. "When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." I'm so happy that I came across Warwick. His videos have completely changed the way I look at horses and work with them. I'm really enjoying my Journey! 💞 Much love from Canada! #journeyon20
G'day LeVolpe13, thanks for your response! You have won yourself a free months subscription! Just send me an email with your information and I'll get you sorted. warwick@warwickschiller.com
I'm glad to see you got sponsored by Weaver Leather. I buy a ton of stuff from them each year for tack making etc. and it is nice to see they are supporting good training and horsemanship with some of their revenue.
I never really thought about it when starting out but I have always had quiet time with my horse. Watching him at a distance or standing within about 20ft or just having him grazing near by. At one time I use to sit and read while he lay down. Funny this came up today as I was just out for a relaxed visit and did some matching steps + rubbing. He got pretty relaxed had a good roll and a few minutes later he lay down for a nap. We had a nice little sit down in the pasture for a little like we use to. Minus the book this time. The connection and sense of peace goes both ways.
I tear up every time WS mentions that mustang at the clinic. A life-changing experience for him, the owner, and especially the horse. I don't have a troubled horse, so I will never experience anything that dramatic. But even second hand, it goes right through me every time I think about it.
G'day! I would like to share with you why this video helped me and my mare so much. You see, i work as a riding instructor, and before the first covid-19 lockdown i would go to the ranch, saddle up the horses and get to work. I treated them a little bit like tools. I love horses, don't get me wrong, they've been my life long hobby, but somewhere a long the way i lost that connection i had with them as a kid. During the lockdown i had been watching this series of reconnecting with your horse and i have to tell you it's brought back my joy and love for these creatures, i spend time getting to know them and understand them, just watching my mare interact with the herd, has taught me to interact with hee on a whole different level. Thank tou Warwick! #journeyon20
G'day JustACowGirl1010, thanks for your response! You have won yourself a free months subscription! Just send me an email with your information and I'll get you sorted. warwick@warwickschiller.com
I’ve been subscribed to your videos for a few years, but this series of videos for the pandemic really helped with my gelding that I’ve never had a real connection with until now. The sitting in the pasture completely changed his attitude towards me and now I have a different horse.#journeyon20
Your videos particularly your Reconnecting with you Horse during CoronaVirus... helped me with my horse so much, I am now riding him... I've had him for 2 years! Thank you so much. I love the way you teach, practical and with psychology..it a truly holistic...taking in not only the horse but the owner as well. #journeyon20
I just got a new gelding today after a year and a half of not having a horse. I had a 31 year old gelding since he was 3 and I totally got spoiled with him because I had him for so long and it had been a long time since the initial relationship building. I knew him. He knew me. It was a really easy relationship with him. I'm glad I found this because it reminded me of how I connected with my old boy. Now I can do this with my new boy.
Mr Schiller,your journey in Horsemanship has unlocked what people need to do to talk with there horse or horses. Can you just imagine the frustration it is when you go to a another place where they do not speak your language,or your child is crying because it cannot tell you what is wrong,seems a close but similar description of frustration that is there between being's.That mustang must of felt OMG i can relax they finally understood my fear & frustration that I've been holding and let it go. I love the name Sherlock , ( Holmes that is ) who unlocks the mystery of crimes to people,You Mr Schiller are unlocking the crimes to horses.Your fan and follower.Ed Cravens
I have practice it today with my tree boys. They where very interesting in the beginning but later on the get to sleep and lay down two of them. I did this in the past a lot. Thanks for remind me. I am so happy to watch your the video and let me inspired to bring spirituality and horse training together. I alway want to do this, but now I have seen you I trust to do myself know. Thanks a lot.
My mare has a lot of anxiety and so do I. I set a chair out in the corral today and she hung out with me for about 30 minutes What was interesting was she went through every emotion. She would yawn, a lot, she was sweet and nibbly, she would pin her ears at me like she wanted to bite me, she would just stand next to me and be quiet. If I texted, she got really mad. I just sat and read my book with no reaction. After a while, she rubbed her face on my chair, yanned and walked away. I will continue to do this daily and video it. I'm so glad I found you!
Yup. Really enjoying the excuse to get out and go to my horse all afternoon (Germany). We went out today and did some nice little exercises I've gleaned from you. Relaxed! and Success! Even the scariest huge tractors were ok today as we BOTH happily watched them zoom by. (a first)
Came here expecting to see Warwick try yoga for 10 minutes. Left with great lessons on how to relax with your horse and in turn have the horse relax with you. It was a good compromise XD
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us. We all will benefit so much by slowing down and listening to our horse. I have also been told we must be in a state of mental harmony when we do the "sit with them" and be present because they know if we are pretending.
True, but like any meditation, be kind to yourself at the beginning. Just keep bringing your thoughts back from wherever they are rabbiting off to, when they leave. Don't beat yourself up that you can't do it. The horses know when we are trying, and they are MUCH more patient than we are! The more often you so it, the better you will get at sitting still.
This is my fav of WS youtube videos because its the one that got me into watching and learning more from WS! The whole reconnecting during covid series is where I started to build a relationship with my mare, and saw such a difference, I knew we had to continue with the WS process on the subscription website 😊 Really so happy to be building this amazing relationship with my mare now ☺ #journeyon20
I have to say how much I love your videos! Everything you have been talking about, being in tune with each horse you work with, my first pony taught me back when I was 12-13 years old, I’m now almost 40. He taught me the importance of everything you are saying. Some I do that he taught me and I don’t even realize I’m doing them until you pointed them out and I think oh hey I do do that! I’ve never known another “horse person” to think that way so I often feel I am silly thinking these things but I know what my first pony taught me and it will be with me forever. It is really nice hearing it put into words by you. I wish I lived closer to one day see one of yours clinics it would be such an honor. I live in MA though. Thank you for this. I can’t go to the barn at this time and ride the horses I have been working with, as it is closed right now. Not being able to ride through this cornonavirus situation is extremely hard but a good time to catch up on other things! Thanks again!!
I'm so excited for the upcoming videos! I'm leasing a very sensitive horse, and most of what I'm doing with him is learning to listen, interpret what he's telling me, and connect with him before we move forward. He's one of those guys where I can't talk to anyone when I'm with him without him getting antsy or nippy. He kinda reminds me of Dale from your other videos in that way.
Exactly what I needed to hear ... right now (I am still beginner 26yo) in the very toxic barn, 14 - 18 year old girls are there acting like world champions, full of confidence and cocky. I spent every other day sitting on window and playing with my horse and connecting. They laugh about it and thinks I am weird and when i tell them it helps they say its bullshit. Well what can I say, next month I am leaving the barn with my horsey :)
Yeah always avoided stables like that.. I had to laugh tho, they might think I was crazy, but they weren't even capable of taking the horse out on the trail.. Unable to cross the tiny creek, on the car crossing. I tried to guide her, but she wasn't able to trust her horse, and therefore not able to let the horse build confidence in itself.
What do they know, they're kids. There is a huge difference between having a horse that responds because that is what he was trained to do and having a horse whose training has evolved through the growing bond you share.
Here in the UK we're being strongly advised to not ride, but I can use my government mandated exercise period to walk up to my horses field and start to do some of this, so really looking forward to it. I have no 'yard', exercise arena, manège, etc. just a big field, stables 100yds away and 2 loan horses, so here's hoping. (it's not really mandated exercise, but lets try to look on the brighter side!)
I love your approach! I do meditation and Reiki so when I saw how you work with your horses I felt an immediate connection. I have a new rescue horse who I noticed was very shutdown. I watched some of your videos earlier this week and after the first session of working with his stress indicators and matching his steps he has a soft look now and comes to see me when I go out there. Thank you for making it so simple and natural. I really look forward to your next videos. 🙏
Just wanted to relay a lovely peaceful "sit in" with my horse today. I am not riding during this time, but I am visiting my horse (a very chill 10 year mustang) - doing grooming and groundwork. I found this series of videos and they "spoke" to me! For a while I have been feeling that I need he needs to know that when I come out, it's not always about work, even if the work isn't so hard. I noted the following things: 1. After I brought him into the field across from where he usually lives, I sat (on a stool I brought into the field) about 30 feet from him. It took him about 15 min. to eat his way over to within 10 ft. of where I was sitting . 2. He then got very close and ate grass right next to my feet for about 5 minutes. I thought he was going to taste my boots! I didn't talk to him or touch him....Then he ate his way in a small circle around me for about 10 more minutes before heading away from me. I could've hung longer, but his lunch was being delivered! Since I had no expectations about what he was going to do, I can say I thought it was a very positive experience! My only questions are 1) should I engage with him (talk to him or look at him) at all while I'm hanging out? and 2) is there an optimum amount of time to sit with my horse? Thanks for this great series on reconnecting with your horse during the shut-down!
Love this 👌 I love my time with my horses & anyone’s horses , they make me feel so good 😊 But when I think back to time spent it can be so busy just catching brushing feeding tacking up “ I’ll get a good hour ride in “ - all while thinking at times what I’m to do next ! As I was a busy mum time wasn’t too generous ( I admit I was a bugger for rushing too ) Having not been my usual self this past year, they are now also my therapy! Ive Had to slow down , enjoy more of the little things ,while not really thinking too much on it all ,until I watched this video! So just now I have asked myself -AM I there for THEM as well ? I hope so I have noticed when I do fence line checks they ALWAYS come and follow me & it’s a lovely feeling knowing they like being with me . Yes this is the Best time to do this Thanks again for a great video 👏 Stay well & safe
Great video Warwick, thank you . Looking forward to trying this with my OTTTB . Hope you and your family stay safe in these difficult times . Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧
When I bought an abused horse (I learned this later) and she didn't like people. I'd take a book and a folding chair and just sit in her stall reading. Over a long period of time, she learned to trust me more and more. Best horse I've ever had after years of retraining her
My aunty owns my old riding pony and she has trouble catching him I go down to see him most days with her and give her a hand, the pony will only let me catch him from the field, I taught him whilst I'm with her that when when i come with food I dont expect to catch him but that I just expect him to take the food and let me touch him. Its so interesting that this is the behaviour I've been doing without realising and the big difference small interactions in your horses field really makes, thanks!
Thank you!! This plays right into my plan for this week! It's going to be a bit colder here in Alberta this week (-20 overnight) so I thought I'm not going to ride this week, I'm just going to give him his required vitamins/minerals and hang out.
Hey I'm here and I don't own a horse. I used to have horses when I was young. I'd ride around the field on our shire horse Tam. She was a retired wedding and funeral cart horse. Had the best personality! Very big but yet had a heart of gold. I'd saddle her up myself at 6 years old by climbing on the stable door, dragged the saddle up with me and she just patiently let me do it. She would bow her head for me to put on her bridle... Amazing! We'd then walk down to the back paddock and she would just walk up to the fence and I'd get on her that way! She's was just the best, we'd trot by me saying trot on, then I'd say to her do you want to canter Tam and she would do it. I know it's leg work that gives the horse commands when your riding but I'd just speak it. She was roughly 27 when she passed. She was the biggest best mate I could of ever had in my life..... With the biggest feet I've ever seen.... 🤗❤️
Your method of "relationship" has completely opened my eyes and helped me understand how to working WITH my horse! I've been utilizing what I can from your UA-cam videos since came across this on. I have a gelding who I've used more traditional methods of horsemanship, and while he was very obedient, he could never get passed his fear, and still didn't trust me even after months of "desensitizing" work. . He is filled with so, so much fear and distrust that some days the discouragement is overwhelming. But since implementing what I've learned through your videos I can say that I definitely feel like I have more of relationship with him since I'm listening to him, and recognizing his stress indicators. I'm hopeful that we'll eventually reach the goal of him being a safe equine partner. #journeyon20
Well said. The blessing at the moment is that riding is still something that we can do which won't spread the WuFlu, particularly if one is out in a rural area, or with one's own facilities. For those who keep their horses elsewhere, like a "barn", how are they managing? I've always felt connected, but Warwick fines it down to a new awareness, and the horses I'm dealing with are showing their appreciation in ways new to me, so thank you. Be pleased we have horses, there could come a time they might soon be real handy again. ISOLATE. GIVE IT NO HOST!
I live in a very rural part of Kentucky and have always had a horse named Coco, me and her bonded years ago. When i was younger I used to ride some but she scared me after taking off and not allowing me to stop her. but just the past week, I have taken the effort of riding and bonding more with her. It has been the one of the best times of my life, I really needed the stress relief, although her 4 month old colt running around trying to get me off doesn't help anything. But during this pandemic, I found myself really wanting to mess with them a lot more
If I had my horse at home this quarantined time would be heaven. He's not far away and I board him at a place that only has one other boarder and he's never there, but with how bad things have gotten in the U.S. I am afraid to even go out to the barn because people are reporting getting infected from a single outing.
Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience in ways horse owners can be kind and loving towards their horses. Practicing the habits you recommended can help to build a strong relationship with your horse.
In regards to the mustang story. I wonder whether this horse was an only horse at home and he felt safe away in the arena at the clinic with the other horses. This is why he fell asleep perhaps. He didn't have to be on "watch" Love that you Warwick are using more connection with the horses
Hi after finding your videos I have realized my horse is shut down , iv had him since a foal but have never really had a connection having Lost my nerve riding I had him with a trainer for six years , then because of quilt over not riding I sold him , but I bought him back after two years, iv been doing ground work with him but from your videos I have realized he is very shut down and I need to take everything right back , today we had some amazing moments of him relaxing . But can I ask when he freeze s on the spot what should I do , ? Should I ask him to back up ? Wait till he is ready to move ? Change direction ? ,
Thank you for this, I appreciate it and have enjoyed all the videos you put out there, they have been a great help. Personally, I would find it very helpful if you could put a video about the proper use of spurs out there, especially for long legged people with short horses.
This explains why Gilly would sleep on my shoulder when I bought him and I thought it was great he was relaxed BUT I didn't understand it fully till now.. even though you told this story in Hahndorf SA recently
Its made it more clear and as I thought more about what you said thinking about where he came from and the way I practice my training it was a calm place to be. This has clarified it more & I find by listening to things several times you can gather even more insight. Repetition can be a good thing. He's loving your training and I believe he feels heard, thankyou. I was going slower and slower and didn't understand why it wasn't improving, now I feel I have found the right pace for him thanks to you because I am reading all the cues to find the spot.. Just because you are going slower doesn't mean its the pace that suits them I've learnt that, Gilly has taught me you change until you find the "sweet spot", trust you are all well...
A good reminder and it works! When I was in my twenties, I worked with my uncle’s horses. I would ride to the pasture and sit by a big rock under the trees and just watch the rest of the horses. Eventually they would come over and sniff my boots and some would lay drown. Over the last few years I would go sit in the bale feeder on a nice winter full moon night and hang out with the horses. They would come over and nibble on my boots. I am in my 60’s now. The last few years I rented a pasture and started my own herd. When I was starting to work with them, I would go out and fly a kite 🪁 and putt tennis balls 🎾 around the so they get use to things as if if I was on trail ride. I put tamberines in there feed buckets (the curiosity thing). When I walked out to see them, they would follow me around. I didn’t understand what was happening t until I got introduced to James French with the his “Trust Techique, Being In The Present Moment” Now I watch you and a number of other clinicians, you all have different ways of delivering it. Thank you🤠🐴
Yes, I really do beleve in what you are saying. An I recommend the NativeHorses block where anybody can see and understand how precious these moments of 15Years Old Girls Training are. Besides other contends that occur to meet Warwick Schiller principles & meanings. Doe’s that make sense? Bleibt schön gesund und liebe Grüße aus Buxtehude, Germany
I have a Paint mare that I have had for 20 years (she is 21). The last 9 years (after a move from CO to AZ) she has never laid down any longer than it takes to roll several times and she is back up. I catch her falling asleep standing up and almost falling down before she wakes herself back up. I know that horses need REM sleep and I have tried several things to facilitate this but no luck thus far. I haven't ridden her in the last 3 years due to some other issues and do spend time with her doing nothing. I am going to follow your guidance and hope she responds like that mustang did. If I caught her laying down sleeping, it would make my whole year!
Right now I feel a little sad because I haven't been able to go out & see my horse as much as used to due to the coronavirus outbreak. So, I'm afraid we're going to lose all the connection, bond, and the progress we were making. That's why I am here.
My first horse was my eat friend. He had a 20 acre pasture with a barn at the top of the hill. I'd call him and he's come galloping up the trail to reach me. We played chase, back and forth. Once I was running and he was chasing and I decided (teenagers!) To stop fast and see what he would do. I heard a grunt, felt a bump on my back, one leg on either side and looked up to see his head above me. He could have had a reining career with that stop.
7:28 "When you are around your horse..." That 'reading' ability is akin to martial art. e.g. you don't breathe hard when you are fighting because the opponent can pick the optimum timing by listening to your breathing rhythm and launch an attack when you're least able to respond. Think that's the level observation this vid is talking about.
To anybody reading this I really want to be able to trail ride alone. At the property there’s only two horses, but three more are moving in soon. My horse doesn’t mind being alone, the other one doesn’t like it at all. I have noticed that when I ride her around the yard, the closer I get to the road (Across the street is a trail riding park) the more anxious she becomes. What I’m scared of most, if I try to take my horse out, what if she tries to run back out of my control. (When I’m not even on her. If I just lead her across) if she runs back, she’ll be crossing a road that many trucks drive on. She could get hurt or even cause an accident. Should it be something I even try? At the moment I just ride her while ponying the other horse on the trails.
Maybe, can you try to find a safe place to work with her on your own and find something there she is scared of and work through her trusting you in a safe place and once you develop that then take it a small step further and keep adding small things that you both have to work through and the more she trusts you through these then it will naturally come to her trusting you once you end up to crossing the road. I find starting at the very basics back at square one is there best way to face it. Just a suggestion, I don’t know all your circumstances so you definitely know best, but thought I would add a small suggestion.
Hi. I'm with my horse for nearly 8 years. He never hack alone. Over the years we had great relationship,but that didn't help with the hack part for a long time. Don't push your horse if she is not sure and anxious. I will take her everyday for a little walk, but let her choice how far she wants to go and when she when she want to come back. Look for the relaxation. If she is relaxed you can ask her to do one more step and wait what for the answer. I think is very important to try to keep loos rope between you and your horse. End of my store is that I walk up and I feel that today is the day. I just took the bit, I put the halter on ( I did ride him bit or without. Last time I rode him without the bit about 4 years ago until now ;-) so I took everything off, bit, my hand, pressure, my minds, my emotions. I just sat there. I let him decide fi he wants to go, where, how far. I could't believed!!! I left all my expectation, we went for a nice, beautiful long hack. He was so calm, he didn't spook and he didn't wanna came back home ;-) that how much he loved it :-D Now I can hack him by myself and he is a super happy horse.
I rode this anxious ottb past summer, the owner was like, no he's super nice blah blah. But then she asked if I brought my phone with me.. So I instantly knew that he might not be as perfect as she stated.. We went out, it was several times of him not wanting to move, first he didn't want to leave the yard, then he was looking at everything, stopping and trying to turn around.. I had before this, tried to connect with him in the arena, but he was just rushing up and down the railing, trying to get out.. So my focus was to slow him down, and make him focus on me, and end as soon as he did.. (many horses don't want to be in the arena, because that's where they are worked) Anyway, I got him to go, step by step, out on the trail.. I think I took a really short ride the first time, just up the road, until he started to pay attention forward, then I turned and went back.. This time, I had a plan, and he was OK, little stopping here and there, then we came to this place where we have to cross the street, and there was a really scary barrier (lots of room to walk past but yeah) anyway I sat there, and told him, you can stay here, or walk there, but we aren't going back. He spoked by a car that drove by, and did a 180 turn, I just turned him back and waited, if he took a step forward, he was allowed to eat grass. So we finally got close to the barrier, I was paying attention to his fear about it, but I also told him, that he didn't need to worry, because I wouldn't put him in danger.. Anyway, once we finally passed it, the whole horse grew, from being proud of himself. And he just became more and more relaxed and happy, for every challenge we overcame.. I had him in the arena another time too, and it was a completely different horse, he was just so relaxed.. I actually like going trail riding with new horses, as it really tells me way more about the horse, than if we are back home working in the arena. After each trail, I got off in the end of road, losen the girth, letting the horse grab some food, and then walk the last bit together, and he really enjoyed that. Took his head down and just walked loose behind me.. The first time, he wanted to rush home, but now he knew, going here, was relaxing, he could grab some fresh green grass and he didn't need to worry about anything. You can recognize that the horse is worried, but if you never push, you can accidentally, teach the horse to hold on to its fear.. Don't put your worry on to the horse, don't picture it running away and getting hit by a car.. Picture you two having a great time, grassing and enjoying whatever comes along.. If the horse looks to you for guidance, and you have an energy of fear, and mental picture of the horse being hurt, you can't expect it to be calm..
I was in the same situation where you are now and my only advise would be to get your groundwork perfect. Watch as many WS videos as possible. You can also look at Gerry Cox he do some obstacle training and start to build a bond with your horse. I'm a beginner rider and only ride 4yrs now so I'm learning everyday. Always take your time and train your own horse. What I do to keep safe is not go very far from the barn in a strange environment and before he get worried return home. Tomorrow you can hack out double that distance and repeat the next day. You will be amazed how much you can accomplish in a week.
Don't you find that almost all mares are like that - they need you to connect with them before they can really trust you? Some geldings, too, but mostly mares, I find. I think that's the reason many people don't like mares, you really need to prove to them that you're trustworthy before they'll 'obey' you - translate to before they will 'trust' you to be a good leader for them, then they'll agree to do what you want.
It was very good to see this video, thank you! I think and believe just hanging with your horse like this is a very fundamental thing to do to connect with your horse. Thanks for this validating video, as it is one of my favorite things to do, I.e; just dragging a chair and a book out into the pasture, or just quietly hanging out. It’s like therapy to me. Meditate with your horses guys! 🙏🐴❤️ Thanks for a great video! :)
Warwick, what do you think about treats, like giving horses apples while with them? Does that help anything with connection or the horses just associate you with food?
It depends on the horse. With Sherlock I used to do it a lot, he was not cool about people, so Id walk up to him and feed him all the time, just to get him thinking differently about humans.
Mr Schiller, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience in this way. There are MANY videos out there by all sorts of 'trainers'. Yours are part of the very few that I can watch without cringing or just stopping, and that I actually pass on to other horsey friends, also willing to learn. I am so grateful that you had the courage to change what you were doing, even though you were already successful, in order to do it even 'better' from the horses point of view. I hope you won't mind if I share this information, for some of your viewers who may be interested in looking further into these ideas. May I recommend Elsa Sinclair (who you have mentioned briefly in another video), www.tamingwild.com/ and James French 'Trust techniques' trust-technique.com/. Keep safe everyone!
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This lesson finally dawned on me after taking some focus on leadership training. It's interesting how this lesson correlates to people. When a manager is always approaching us because they have an agenda, we can learn to get anxious whenever they're around. When a manger is just hanging out to spend a little quality time with us, it becomes a different culture. I tried this last week and the result was amazing. Thank you. This year is a year of attunement.
I was lucky enough to be around a herd of 8, then 9 horses for 11 years. Many different breeds with an equal amount of personalities. Of all of the owners, I was the only one to ever simply hang out with them in the (way) back field. Some of my best memories are from those times. I will never forget fairly early on, being able to walk up when some were laying down, napping in the sun & no one jumped up. It progressed from that to the Arabian liking to lay down & oh so gently resting his head on my lap. Quite an honor but take with caution. I knew these horses & was accepted by them. When the Arabian wanted to get up, he would lift his head slowly & wait until I removed my legs & myself out of his way until he jumped up. True joy & friendship.
I learned early on from a mentor something I call "the leadership walk"...taking 10-15 min's to walk the pasture and making myself very aware of the sights, smells, sounds, which way the breeze is coming in, etc, before doing anything with my horses. I remember the first few times, my horses just watched me from far away, but by the third time, they started following along. I began to notice a difference in their level of trust and calm.and focus on me.
I've done this with my horse also. It really seems to mean a lot to them.
Just went out and tried this. He followed me around like a puppy dog!
Its true. Wonderful way to connect with your horse and watch the heard ect. I coukd go on but ive learned so much from walking the oasture and also just being and no explanations.
@@davidbeazer9799 It is really interesting isn't it. It wasnt until after doing this for a couple months that I put two and two together (others my be more brilliant than me and have put it together much more quickly), but there are some typical attributes of leader horses....first, they do not tend to approach other horses straight on like dominant horses do (think about how so many of us go straight to our horses when we are thinking of haltering them); second, they tend to be very aware of their surroundings and so the Ray Hunt quote that "Horses know what you know and they know what you dont know" comes into play (they perceive whether you are aware of all the little things they are aware of).
I drink coffee in the mornings with horses, they eat breakfast I drink coffee. Works great! Thanks for doing what you do!
That’s a brilliant idea. I will be back to work soon, so I have to work in a way to be with them more. I’ll get up earlier, and instead of feeding and rushing off to get ready for work, I’ll stay at the barn and have my coffee with them. Thanks!
...my horse is my mental island of peace and quitness at the moment...THANK YOU for thinking of us at these times!
Jesus Christ is true peace..
Italian Traditional Catholic I agree. The horse as a creation of the divine can have that peace, especially when we don’t mess it up and make it more difficult to feel. Stating her horse is at peace in no way takes away from Jesus Christ.
I had a horse for two years...three trainers later, I found you at the Mane Event in Red Deer, Alberta. It changed my life. That horse now has more friends than I do😉. You’re working with nature, not exploiting it...👏👏👏
Mustangs are so wise and can teach you so very much if you try to understand them. Beautiful story; always tear up when you tell it.
In one video you called this the "10 year old girl training method." Simply hang out with your horse. As a woman who was a horse lover girl, I would do this all the time. Your discovery really resonated with me.
For me, the relationship and connection is always my #1 goal - everything else that we (horse and I) accomplish is a bonus :-)
@@naturalistegroup3978 But would we rather have compliance or cooperative participation???? I guess it all depends on situation and circumstance.
This is one of my favorite videos series! (All of Warwick's videos are amazing)
But when this series first came out, it inspired me to take a step back and just reconnect with my horses.
I managed to do some liberty work with my 3 y/o gelding and finally loped on him this fall. 😁
Warwick's mindset on training horses is a breath of fresh air and has really opened my eyes.
I know see that my once 'lazy' and 'broke' old reliable gelding is actually shut down and anxious.
"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
I'm so happy that I came across Warwick. His videos have completely changed the way I look at horses and work with them.
I'm really enjoying my Journey! 💞
Much love from Canada!
#journeyon20
G'day LeVolpe13, thanks for your response! You have won yourself a free months subscription! Just send me an email with your information and I'll get you sorted.
warwick@warwickschiller.com
I'm glad to see you got sponsored by Weaver Leather. I buy a ton of stuff from them each year for tack making etc. and it is nice to see they are supporting good training and horsemanship with some of their revenue.
I never really thought about it when starting out but I have always had quiet time with my horse. Watching him at a distance or standing within about 20ft or just having him grazing near by. At one time I use to sit and read while he lay down.
Funny this came up today as I was just out for a relaxed visit and did some matching steps + rubbing. He got pretty relaxed had a good roll and a few minutes later he lay down for a nap. We had a nice little sit down in the pasture for a little like we use to. Minus the book this time.
The connection and sense of peace goes both ways.
Gotta love a little slice of Woke Warwick Wisdom. Keep safe Schillerites.
I tear up every time WS mentions that mustang at the clinic. A life-changing experience for him, the owner, and especially the horse. I don't have a troubled horse, so I will never experience anything that dramatic. But even second hand, it goes right through me every time I think about it.
G'day! I would like to share with you why this video helped me and my mare so much. You see, i work as a riding instructor, and before the first covid-19 lockdown i would go to the ranch, saddle up the horses and get to work. I treated them a little bit like tools. I love horses, don't get me wrong, they've been my life long hobby, but somewhere a long the way i lost that connection i had with them as a kid. During the lockdown i had been watching this series of reconnecting with your horse and i have to tell you it's brought back my joy and love for these creatures, i spend time getting to know them and understand them, just watching my mare interact with the herd, has taught me to interact with hee on a whole different level. Thank tou Warwick!
#journeyon20
G'day JustACowGirl1010, thanks for your response! You have won yourself a free months subscription! Just send me an email with your information and I'll get you sorted.
warwick@warwickschiller.com
I’ve been subscribed to your videos for a few years, but this series of videos for the pandemic really helped with my gelding that I’ve never had a real connection with until now. The sitting in the pasture completely changed his attitude towards me and now I have a different horse.#journeyon20
Your videos particularly your Reconnecting with you Horse during CoronaVirus... helped me with my horse so much, I am now riding him... I've had him for 2 years! Thank you so much. I love the way you teach, practical and with psychology..it a truly holistic...taking in not only the horse but the owner as well. #journeyon20
I just got a new gelding today after a year and a half of not having a horse. I had a 31 year old gelding since he was 3 and I totally got spoiled with him because I had him for so long and it had been a long time since the initial relationship building. I knew him. He knew me. It was a really easy relationship with him. I'm glad I found this because it reminded me of how I connected with my old boy. Now I can do this with my new boy.
That is the reason why some kids are so naturally good at this. They just hang around all day with the ponies and listen to them.
Mr Schiller,your journey in Horsemanship has unlocked what people need to do to talk with there horse or horses. Can you just imagine the frustration it is when you go to a another place where they do not speak your language,or your child is crying because it cannot tell you what is wrong,seems a close but similar description of frustration that is there between being's.That mustang must of felt OMG i can relax they finally understood my fear & frustration that I've been holding and let it go. I love the name Sherlock , ( Holmes that is ) who unlocks the mystery of crimes to people,You Mr Schiller are unlocking the crimes to horses.Your fan and follower.Ed Cravens
Thanks Ed
I have practice it today with my tree boys. They where very interesting in the beginning but later on the get to sleep and lay down two of them. I did this in the past a lot. Thanks for remind me. I am so happy to watch your the video and let me inspired to bring spirituality and horse training together. I alway want to do this, but now I have seen you I trust to do myself know. Thanks a lot.
My mare has a lot of anxiety and so do I. I set a chair out in the corral today and she hung out with me for about 30 minutes What was interesting was she went through every emotion. She would yawn, a lot, she was sweet and nibbly, she would pin her ears at me like she wanted to bite me, she would just stand next to me and be quiet. If I texted, she got really mad. I just sat and read my book with no reaction. After a while, she rubbed her face on my chair, yanned and walked away. I will continue to do this daily and video it. I'm so glad I found you!
Yup. Really enjoying the excuse to get out and go to my horse all afternoon (Germany). We went out today and did some nice little exercises I've gleaned from you. Relaxed! and Success! Even the scariest huge tractors were ok today as we BOTH happily watched them zoom by. (a first)
Came here expecting to see Warwick try yoga for 10 minutes. Left with great lessons on how to relax with your horse and in turn have the horse relax with you. It was a good compromise XD
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us. We all will benefit so much by slowing down and listening to our horse. I have also been told we must be in a state of mental harmony when we do the "sit with them" and be present because they know if we are pretending.
True, but like any meditation, be kind to yourself at the beginning. Just keep bringing your thoughts back from wherever they are rabbiting off to, when they leave. Don't beat yourself up that you can't do it. The horses know when we are trying, and they are MUCH more patient than we are! The more often you so it, the better you will get at sitting still.
This is my fav of WS youtube videos because its the one that got me into watching and learning more from WS!
The whole reconnecting during covid series is where I started to build a relationship with my mare, and saw such a difference, I knew we had to continue with the WS process on the subscription website 😊
Really so happy to be building this amazing relationship with my mare now ☺
#journeyon20
I have to say how much I love your videos! Everything you have been talking about, being in tune with each horse you work with, my first pony taught me back when I was 12-13 years old, I’m now almost 40. He taught me the importance of everything you are saying. Some I do that he taught me and I don’t even realize I’m doing them until you pointed them out and I think oh hey I do do that! I’ve never known another “horse person” to think that way so I often feel I am silly thinking these things but I know what my first pony taught me and it will be with me forever. It is really nice hearing it put into words by you. I wish I lived closer to one day see one of yours clinics it would be such an honor. I live in MA though. Thank you for this. I can’t go to the barn at this time and ride the horses I have been working with, as it is closed right now. Not being able to ride through this cornonavirus situation is extremely hard but a good time to catch up on other things! Thanks again!!
I'm so excited for the upcoming videos! I'm leasing a very sensitive horse, and most of what I'm doing with him is learning to listen, interpret what he's telling me, and connect with him before we move forward. He's one of those guys where I can't talk to anyone when I'm with him without him getting antsy or nippy. He kinda reminds me of Dale from your other videos in that way.
Exactly what I needed to hear ... right now (I am still beginner 26yo) in the very toxic barn, 14 - 18 year old girls are there acting like world champions, full of confidence and cocky. I spent every other day sitting on window and playing with my horse and connecting. They laugh about it and thinks I am weird and when i tell them it helps they say its bullshit. Well what can I say, next month I am leaving the barn with my horsey :)
Yeah always avoided stables like that..
I had to laugh tho, they might think I was crazy, but they weren't even capable of taking the horse out on the trail.. Unable to cross the tiny creek, on the car crossing.
I tried to guide her, but she wasn't able to trust her horse, and therefore not able to let the horse build confidence in itself.
Ugh 14-18 entitled brats! I’m so sorry you have to be aground such immaturity. It would drive me bonkers and glad you’re moving barns!
What do they know, they're kids. There is a huge difference between having a horse that responds because that is what he was trained to do and having a horse whose training has evolved through the growing bond you share.
Here in the UK we're being strongly advised to not ride, but I can use my government mandated exercise period to walk up to my horses field and start to do some of this, so really looking forward to it. I have no 'yard', exercise arena, manège, etc. just a big field, stables 100yds away and 2 loan horses, so here's hoping. (it's not really mandated exercise, but lets try to look on the brighter side!)
I love your approach! I do meditation and Reiki so when I saw how you work with your horses I felt an immediate connection. I have a new rescue horse who I noticed was very shutdown. I watched some of your videos earlier this week and after the first session of working with his stress indicators and matching his steps he has a soft look now and comes to see me when I go out there. Thank you for making it so simple and natural. I really look forward to your next videos. 🙏
Just wanted to relay a lovely peaceful "sit in" with my horse today. I am not riding during this time, but I am visiting my horse (a very chill 10 year mustang) - doing grooming and groundwork. I found this series of videos and they "spoke" to me! For a while I have been feeling that I need he needs to know that when I come out, it's not always about work, even if the work isn't so hard. I noted the following things:
1. After I brought him into the field across from where he usually lives, I sat (on a stool I brought into the field) about 30 feet from him. It took him about 15 min. to eat his way over to within 10 ft. of where I was sitting .
2. He then got very close and ate grass right next to my feet for about 5 minutes. I thought he was going to taste my boots! I didn't talk to him or touch him....Then he ate his way in a small circle around me for about 10 more minutes before heading away from me. I could've hung longer, but his lunch was being delivered!
Since I had no expectations about what he was going to do, I can say I thought it was a very positive experience! My only questions are 1) should I engage with him (talk to him or look at him) at all while I'm hanging out? and 2) is there an optimum amount of time to sit with my horse?
Thanks for this great series on reconnecting with your horse during the shut-down!
Love this 👌 I love my time with my horses & anyone’s horses , they make me feel so good 😊
But when I think back to time spent it can be so busy just catching brushing feeding tacking up “ I’ll get a good hour ride in “ - all while thinking at times what I’m to do next !
As I was a busy mum time wasn’t too generous ( I admit I was a bugger for rushing too ) Having not been my usual self this past year, they are now also my therapy!
Ive Had to slow down , enjoy more of the little things ,while not really thinking too much on it all ,until I watched this video!
So just now I have asked myself -AM I there for THEM as well ?
I hope so
I have noticed when I do fence line checks they ALWAYS come and follow me & it’s a lovely feeling knowing they like being with me .
Yes this is the Best time to do this
Thanks again for a great video 👏
Stay well & safe
Great video Warwick, thank you . Looking forward to trying this with my OTTTB . Hope you and your family stay safe in these difficult times . Best wishes from the UK 🇬🇧
When I bought an abused horse (I learned this later) and she didn't like people. I'd take a book and a folding chair and just sit in her stall reading. Over a long period of time, she learned to trust me more and more. Best horse I've ever had after years of retraining her
My aunty owns my old riding pony and she has trouble catching him I go down to see him most days with her and give her a hand, the pony will only let me catch him from the field, I taught him whilst I'm with her that when when i come with food I dont expect to catch him but that I just expect him to take the food and let me touch him. Its so interesting that this is the behaviour I've been doing without realising and the big difference small interactions in your horses field really makes, thanks!
Love it!! Had to watch it again. 😄
Thank you!! This plays right into my plan for this week! It's going to be a bit colder here in Alberta this week (-20 overnight) so I thought I'm not going to ride this week, I'm just going to give him his required vitamins/minerals and hang out.
Hey I'm here and I don't own a horse. I used to have horses when I was young. I'd ride around the field on our shire horse Tam. She was a retired wedding and funeral cart horse. Had the best personality! Very big but yet had a heart of gold. I'd saddle her up myself at 6 years old by climbing on the stable door, dragged the saddle up with me and she just patiently let me do it. She would bow her head for me to put on her bridle... Amazing! We'd then walk down to the back paddock and she would just walk up to the fence and I'd get on her that way! She's was just the best, we'd trot by me saying trot on, then I'd say to her do you want to canter Tam and she would do it. I know it's leg work that gives the horse commands when your riding but I'd just speak it. She was roughly 27 when she passed. She was the biggest best mate I could of ever had in my life..... With the biggest feet I've ever seen.... 🤗❤️
Your method of "relationship" has completely opened my eyes and helped me understand how to working WITH my horse! I've been utilizing what I can from your UA-cam videos since came across this on. I have a gelding who I've used more traditional methods of horsemanship, and while he was very obedient, he could never get passed his fear, and still didn't trust me even after months of "desensitizing" work. . He is filled with so, so much fear and distrust that some days the discouragement is overwhelming. But since implementing what I've learned through your videos I can say that I definitely feel like I have more of relationship with him since I'm listening to him, and recognizing his stress indicators. I'm hopeful that we'll eventually reach the goal of him being a safe equine partner.
#journeyon20
That's what I did with all my OTTBs just to get them relaxed and used to me. It helps sooo much and it's so underrated with some horsey people.
Well said. The blessing at the moment is that riding is still something that we can do which won't spread the WuFlu, particularly if one is out in a rural area, or with one's own facilities. For those who keep their horses elsewhere, like a "barn", how are they managing?
I've always felt connected, but Warwick fines it down to a new awareness, and the horses I'm dealing with are showing their appreciation in ways new to me, so thank you. Be pleased we have horses, there could come a time they might soon be real handy again.
ISOLATE. GIVE IT NO HOST!
I live in a very rural part of Kentucky and have always had a horse named Coco, me and her bonded years ago. When i was younger I used to ride some but she scared me after taking off and not allowing me to stop her. but just the past week, I have taken the effort of riding and bonding more with her. It has been the one of the best times of my life, I really needed the stress relief, although her 4 month old colt running around trying to get me off doesn't help anything. But during this pandemic, I found myself really wanting to mess with them a lot more
If I had my horse at home this quarantined time would be heaven. He's not far away and I board him at a place that only has one other boarder and he's never there, but with how bad things have gotten in the U.S. I am afraid to even go out to the barn because people are reporting getting infected from a single outing.
love you Warwick!
Thank you for sharing your expertise and experience in ways horse owners can be kind and loving towards their horses. Practicing the habits you recommended can help to build a strong relationship with your horse.
Thank you thank you so much
In regards to the mustang story. I wonder whether this horse was an only horse at home and he felt safe away in the arena at the clinic with the other horses. This is why he fell asleep perhaps. He didn't have to be on "watch" Love that you Warwick are using more connection with the horses
But he didn’t do it until 30 minutes after I told him I was listening. This was day 2 of the clinic, he had all of day 1 to nap with other horses
@@WarwickSchiller Must have been the relief of being heard by you. I've been on a Warwick Schiller binge watch!
Hi after finding your videos I have realized my horse is shut down , iv had him since a foal but have never really had a connection having Lost my nerve riding I had him with a trainer for six years , then because of quilt over not riding I sold him , but I bought him back after two years, iv been doing ground work with him but from your videos I have realized he is very shut down and I need to take everything right back , today we had some amazing moments of him relaxing . But can I ask when he freeze s on the spot what should I do , ? Should I ask him to back up ? Wait till he is ready to move ? Change direction ? ,
Thank you for this, I appreciate it and have enjoyed all the videos you put out there, they have been a great help.
Personally, I would find it very helpful if you could put a video about the proper use of spurs out there, especially for long legged people with short horses.
This explains why Gilly would sleep on my shoulder when I bought him and I thought it was great he was relaxed BUT I didn't understand it fully till now.. even though you told this story in Hahndorf SA recently
Glad its making sense now :-)
Its made it more clear and as I thought more about what you said thinking about where he came from and the way I practice my training it was a calm place to be. This has clarified it more & I find by listening to things several times you can gather even more insight. Repetition can be a good thing. He's loving your training and I believe he feels heard, thankyou. I was going slower and slower and didn't understand why it wasn't improving, now I feel I have found the right pace for him thanks to you because I am reading all the cues to find the spot.. Just because you are going slower doesn't mean its the pace that suits them I've learnt that, Gilly has taught me you change until you find the "sweet spot", trust you are all well...
I love this!
A good reminder and it works!
When I was in my twenties, I worked with my uncle’s horses. I would ride to the pasture and sit by a big rock under the trees and just watch the rest of the horses. Eventually they would come over and sniff my boots and some would lay drown. Over the last few years I would go sit in the bale feeder on a nice winter full moon night and hang out with the horses. They would come over and nibble on my boots. I am in my 60’s now. The last few years I rented a pasture and started my own herd. When I was starting to work with them, I would go out and fly a kite 🪁 and putt tennis balls 🎾 around the so they get use to things as if if I was on trail ride. I put tamberines in there feed buckets (the curiosity thing). When I walked out to see them, they would follow me around. I didn’t understand what was happening t until I got introduced to James French with the his “Trust Techique, Being In The Present Moment” Now I watch you and a number of other clinicians, you all have different ways of delivering it. Thank you🤠🐴
Yes, I really do beleve in what you are saying. An I recommend the NativeHorses block where anybody can see and understand how precious these moments of 15Years Old Girls Training are. Besides other contends that occur to meet Warwick Schiller principles & meanings. Doe’s that make sense? Bleibt schön gesund und liebe Grüße aus Buxtehude, Germany
I have a Paint mare that I have had for 20 years (she is 21). The last 9 years (after a move from CO to AZ) she has never laid down any longer than it takes to roll several times and she is back up. I catch her falling asleep standing up and almost falling down before she wakes herself back up. I know that horses need REM sleep and I have tried several things to facilitate this but no luck thus far. I haven't ridden her in the last 3 years due to some other issues and do spend time with her doing nothing. I am going to follow your guidance and hope she responds like that mustang did. If I caught her laying down sleeping, it would make my whole year!
Just have no expectations, and just listen to her
Right now I feel a little sad because I haven't been able to go out & see my horse as much as used to due to the coronavirus outbreak. So, I'm afraid we're going to lose all the connection, bond, and the progress we were making. That's why I am here.
They dont become untrained when you arent working with them, just pick up where you left off when you get back out there, saty safe.
My first horse was my eat friend. He had a 20 acre pasture with a barn at the top of the hill. I'd call him and he's come galloping up the trail to reach me. We played chase, back and forth. Once I was running and he was chasing and I decided (teenagers!) To stop fast and see what he would do. I heard a grunt, felt a bump on my back, one leg on either side and looked up to see his head above me. He could have had a reining career with that stop.
Love this!
استمر مبدع
I would love to do this but my yard is in lockdown and I can't see my three until all this is over. Goig to have to go back to basics I think :(
Thanks for this video Warwick!!
I’m going to send it to the 4hers
Any suggestions for the kids? They have time right now
Laurie
Thats my first suggestion for them, next suggestion in the next video
My horse stays in a pasture with other horses, is it still alright to stay all of them or should it be one on one?
Would you be able to upload your Episodes as podcasts?
the typical "hard guy" must have a psychological crisis watching you. your calmness even reaches me.
Anybody else taking their longe whip with them to the grocery store these days ? I am.
Maybe just my dressage whip. 😜
7:28 "When you are around your horse..." That 'reading' ability is akin to martial art. e.g. you don't breathe hard when you are fighting because the opponent can pick the optimum timing by listening to your breathing rhythm and launch an attack when you're least able to respond. Think that's the level observation this vid is talking about.
If only I could be around horses, I would've done this years ago. Stupid exams followed by slightly less stupid coronavirus
To anybody reading this
I really want to be able to trail ride alone.
At the property there’s only two horses, but three more are moving in soon. My horse doesn’t mind being alone, the other one doesn’t like it at all. I have noticed that when I ride her around the yard, the closer I get to the road (Across the street is a trail riding park) the more anxious she becomes. What I’m scared of most, if I try to take my horse out, what if she tries to run back out of my control. (When I’m not even on her. If I just lead her across) if she runs back, she’ll be crossing a road that many trucks drive on. She could get hurt or even cause an accident. Should it be something I even try? At the moment I just ride her while ponying the other horse on the trails.
Maybe, can you try to find a safe place to work with her on your own and find something there she is scared of and work through her trusting you in a safe place and once you develop that then take it a small step further and keep adding small things that you both have to work through and the more she trusts you through these then it will naturally come to her trusting you once you end up to crossing the road. I find starting at the very basics back at square one is there best way to face it. Just a suggestion, I don’t know all your circumstances so you definitely know best, but thought I would add a small suggestion.
@@kimcirrone292 I really like your suggestion!
Hi. I'm with my horse for nearly 8 years. He never hack alone. Over the years we had great relationship,but that didn't help with the hack part for a long time. Don't push your horse if she is not sure and anxious. I will take her everyday for a little walk, but let her choice how far she wants to go and when she when she want to come back. Look for the relaxation. If she is relaxed you can ask her to do one more step and wait what for the answer. I think is very important to try to keep loos rope between you and your horse. End of my store is that I walk up and I feel that today is the day. I just took the bit, I put the halter on ( I did ride him bit or without. Last time I rode him without the bit about 4 years ago until now ;-) so I took everything off, bit, my hand, pressure, my minds, my emotions. I just sat there. I let him decide fi he wants to go, where, how far. I could't believed!!! I left all my expectation, we went for a nice, beautiful long hack. He was so calm, he didn't spook and he didn't wanna came back home ;-) that how much he loved it :-D Now I can hack him by myself and he is a super happy horse.
I rode this anxious ottb past summer, the owner was like, no he's super nice blah blah. But then she asked if I brought my phone with me.. So I instantly knew that he might not be as perfect as she stated..
We went out, it was several times of him not wanting to move, first he didn't want to leave the yard, then he was looking at everything, stopping and trying to turn around..
I had before this, tried to connect with him in the arena, but he was just rushing up and down the railing, trying to get out.. So my focus was to slow him down, and make him focus on me, and end as soon as he did.. (many horses don't want to be in the arena, because that's where they are worked)
Anyway, I got him to go, step by step, out on the trail.. I think I took a really short ride the first time, just up the road, until he started to pay attention forward, then I turned and went back..
This time, I had a plan, and he was OK, little stopping here and there, then we came to this place where we have to cross the street, and there was a really scary barrier (lots of room to walk past but yeah) anyway I sat there, and told him, you can stay here, or walk there, but we aren't going back.
He spoked by a car that drove by, and did a 180 turn, I just turned him back and waited, if he took a step forward, he was allowed to eat grass. So we finally got close to the barrier, I was paying attention to his fear about it, but I also told him, that he didn't need to worry, because I wouldn't put him in danger..
Anyway, once we finally passed it, the whole horse grew, from being proud of himself.
And he just became more and more relaxed and happy, for every challenge we overcame..
I had him in the arena another time too, and it was a completely different horse, he was just so relaxed.. I actually like going trail riding with new horses, as it really tells me way more about the horse, than if we are back home working in the arena.
After each trail, I got off in the end of road, losen the girth, letting the horse grab some food, and then walk the last bit together, and he really enjoyed that. Took his head down and just walked loose behind me..
The first time, he wanted to rush home, but now he knew, going here, was relaxing, he could grab some fresh green grass and he didn't need to worry about anything.
You can recognize that the horse is worried, but if you never push, you can accidentally, teach the horse to hold on to its fear..
Don't put your worry on to the horse, don't picture it running away and getting hit by a car..
Picture you two having a great time, grassing and enjoying whatever comes along..
If the horse looks to you for guidance, and you have an energy of fear, and mental picture of the horse being hurt, you can't expect it to be calm..
I was in the same situation where you are now and my only advise would be to get your groundwork perfect. Watch as many WS videos as possible. You can also look at Gerry Cox he do some obstacle training and start to build a bond with your horse. I'm a beginner rider and only ride 4yrs now so I'm learning everyday. Always take your time and train your own horse. What I do to keep safe is not go very far from the barn in a strange environment and before he get worried return home. Tomorrow you can hack out double that distance and repeat the next day. You will be amazed how much you can accomplish in a week.
Don't you find that almost all mares are like that - they need you to connect with them before they can really trust you? Some geldings, too, but mostly mares, I find. I think that's the reason many people don't like mares, you really need to prove to them that you're trustworthy before they'll 'obey' you - translate to before they will 'trust' you to be a good leader for them, then they'll agree to do what you want.
It was very good to see this video, thank you! I think and believe just hanging with your horse like this is a very fundamental thing to do to connect with your horse. Thanks for this validating video, as it is one of my favorite things to do, I.e; just dragging a chair and a book out into the pasture, or just quietly hanging out. It’s like therapy to me. Meditate with your horses guys! 🙏🐴❤️ Thanks for a great video! :)
Warwick, what do you think about treats, like giving horses apples while with them? Does that help anything with connection or the horses just associate you with food?
It depends on the horse. With Sherlock I used to do it a lot, he was not cool about people, so Id walk up to him and feed him all the time, just to get him thinking differently about humans.
@@WarwickSchiller Thank you for your reply!
Mr Schiller, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience in this way. There are MANY videos out there by all sorts of 'trainers'. Yours are part of the very few that I can watch without cringing or just stopping, and that I actually pass on to other horsey friends, also willing to learn. I am so grateful that you had the courage to change what you were doing, even though you were already successful, in order to do it even 'better' from the horses point of view. I hope you won't mind if I share this information, for some of your viewers who may be interested in looking further into these ideas. May I recommend Elsa Sinclair (who you have mentioned briefly in another video), www.tamingwild.com/ and James French 'Trust techniques' trust-technique.com/. Keep safe everyone!
I shit my pants....
God didn't create the horse.. huh?.. what a joke