Video 1
The World of the Horse
What Does Your Horse Value?
Video 1
The World of the Horse
What Does Your Horse Value?
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workshop
VIDEO 1
The World
of the Horse
Watch Nov 4th
VIDEO 2
The BEST Way to Create "Rapport"
Watch Nov 7th
Video 3
Learn Your Horse's Signals
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workshop
VIDEO 1
The World
of the Horse
Watch Nov 4th
VIDEO 2
The BEST Way to Create "Rapport"
Watch Nov 7th
LIVE March 21
Learn Your Horse's Signals
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workshop
VIDEO 1
The World
of the Horse
VIDEO 2
Sharing
Experiences
Watch Nov 7th
VIDEO 3
Matching
Your Horse
Watch Nov 10th
VIDEO 4
Build a Deeper Bond
with Your Horse
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102 Responses
Welcome to the workshop! We can’t wait to meet you here in the comments!
What would you suggest as a good environment for observation if I don’t have the optionof an open field?
Honestly CJ, anywhere will be great.
I take Randy into the indoor and we just walk around checking out things. We check in a lot
I had not thought about some things in this way, but just listening and watching this video, I realize that my mare uses grazing and eating hay as a way to self-soothe sometimes, not just because she likes to eat a lot! I like this new perspective to view some of the common behaviors that my horse has!
You are totally correct, many horses do this, well done on noticing it.
I have observed my horse rubbing his nose on his foreleg when waiting to come in to eat. It makes sense that it is a tension reduction activity. He also eats aggressively when grazing and eating hay, as if in a huge hurry. I now see this as more of anxiety issue than hunger.
Well done for noticing. Great work
Very nice , I will observe my horses tomorrow i have my first 2 horses one Buckskin pony and on Paint horse ,they are in there 20 and very sweet.
They sound perfect.
This is great. I hand graze him after lessons..as a routine… let him lead. He likes to explore. When I have to be gone a few days, and come back
he is more edgy, and it takes a while to re- establish this. He doesn’t nicker much, but is pretty independent, but likes our routine.
I have learned to give him his space In his stall…. ” I’m done mom… bye” He is an arabian you have taught me to let him have his space, and dignity. He is sensitive and has his pride, and I will always honor that
I am so glad you have followed your heart with this. Arabians are so sensitive. Well done.
This is exactly the same with the lesson horse we bonded together. She is a former race thoroughbred. Sometimes like yesterday she preferred grazing. On Wednesday she ” ‘nearly jump the head in my arms” , she was so happy to see me. She wanted caresses on her foreheads, me to pet her and she gave me small, soft kisses with her lips on the hand.. She has always been like that since I knew her. I learnt to give her the space she wanted, according to her today mood.
She decided to go back grazing her hay. She have had what she needed to have, me too. We really re-cognised ourselves. So the time after she was very happy that I came back. She is quite introverted but knows how to communicate with me. Yes, thoroughbreds are very sensitive and clever, independent. This is why I love them. 
I could not see her for 15 months ( not funny period) and the first time we saw each other again.. I was missing her so much, she started shaking her head a little from left to right and then a long moment later she looked at me through the bars of the stall. She literally scanned me with a deep and intense look! In the end…. that lasted enough time this eyes in eyes moment…
Thank you for your insight. After watching you short observation video I am interpreting my horse’s movements differently. From what I saw and what I heard you say, I think that Bob looks to me for assurance. He constantly checks in with me with his nose, and he likes to be super close to me (I call him my pocket pony because I believe that if he could, he would slide into my pocket and travel that way with me). He isn’t timid, or spooky, and he seems confident most of the time, but when he is uncertain he definitely looks to me for guidance- almost like he’s asking, “is this what you want from me?”, and he seems anxious when he can’t figure out what answer I am looking for. Like, he really wants to give me the right answer but he can’t seem to figure out what that answer is. And he is an aggressive eater. Some of that, I think, is that he just loves to eat, but I can see now that he may also be comforting himself with it. Anyway, thank you. I can’t wait for my next interaction with my guy so that I can observe him in a different light.
I would say he is for sure looking for reassurance. Well done for seeing that.
My chestnut Warmblood is the sentry for his herd of seven. He is the 1st to alert to any noises or movement. He is the 1st at the gate at mealtime. He knows the order the horses are allowed in & steps back respectfully waiting for his turn.
My chestnut Warmblood is the sentry for his herd of seven. He is the 1st to alert to any noises or movement. He is the 1st at the gate at mealtime. He knows the order the horses are allowed in & steps back respectfully waiting for his turn.
So relaxing to watch horses !
Hi
Steph here
I thoroughly enjoyed this video
It has lots of interesting information with building a connection with your horse
I can’t wait to learn more of Liberty and practice what I learn with my horse.
I really never thought about connecting with my horse by observing his world. I bet he is trying to tell me so many things and I am not listening to him. Thank you Andrea and Callie to opening my thinking to this connection with the horse
Access to zoom videos, after the fact
What if the horse sees you sitting there and just comes over to you and grazes around you? ignoring the rest of the herd?
I enjoyed this mini class! Thank you! I have been trying to practice slowing down around my horses and my life in general. So I did this about a month ago- I took a chair out- we live in cactus country so no nice grass to sit on-
While sitting in my chair all 3 horses came up- the mini stood back just a bit but the mustang and paint started nuzzling me starting with my head, shoulders, arms legs and almost seemed systematically they nuzzled me all over. No sniffing or nibbling. And when they apparently completed their task they stood back and dozed near me. I have never experienced this before and what was really amazing is the feeling of complete peace and calmness that came over me! I know this changed me in that I am more attentive to my energy! Horses are incredible!
I love this. Horses rarely get to check humans out on their terms. It will have been wonderful for them as well as you. Bravo.
I’m seeing that my horse is “talking” to me but only learning way after that time what she was talking about. Hopefully I’m LEARNING that I need to trust more and try harder to interpret.
For example I was riding one, of two, of our horses in the woods. Maggie was refusing to go forward and kept acting like something/one was nearby. When I returned home I learned that I had left the gate open and the other horse was anxiously trying to find us. Maggie was evidently trying to tell me that.
They try so hard to give us messages, it is great that this opened your awareness.
I feel this definitely slows me down to relax more about my horse and how I’d like to be connected more than just for the rides.
Wonderful., i am so glad you got that from this video. Perfect.
I noticed that my horse comes closer to me on the ground when she is nervous. I have been sending her away but now I see that perhaps she needs the reassurance. Something to try differently next time!
Yes i would say you have hit on something really important. Try putting your hand on her neck when she comes to you and telling her all is ok.
recently, I allowed all 6 of my horses/ponies to stay loose in their paddock when the farrier, and then dentist, came for visits. i noticed that the horses were far more relaxed, behaved more calmly, and were intensely interested in what was happening with each other. some even came next to the horse being “attended to” as if to offer comfort.
note: my horses/ponies normally live in one big group(except at feeding time!) together, with turnout sheds. also, when one would get in the practitioner’s way, the horse was quietly shooed off…
I love this. Well done
I’ve never just been still and observed my horses, but I will now. However, I do spend lots of quiet moments with mine as I go about my daily tasks caring for them, & they always make me smile as they show their personalities. I have a small turnout / grazing area. When I clean their stalls, my gelding ALWAYS comes in and hangs out with me. He actually follows me around like a dog, always nickers when he sees me. My mare just continues to graze, only coming in her stall if she sees me going for hay. However, the other day I had the gelding tied to the fence, as I was going to give them each a hosing off & awash their tails. My mare, Socks, just ambled over & stood right next to him, like “I guess we’re getting baths”. She just stood there while I hosed her, shampooed, and rinsed her. It was the funniest thing. I guess we’re a little herd.
It sounds like you have a great relataionship with them. Well done. Observation will take it even deeper.
l have rescued a horse and over these months since I own him, I have taken the time to get to know him. I am not able to ride him yet but I spend every day time with him, cleaning his pen, grooming him, and I take him for daily walks on the trail so he can graze and we go exploring too.He was neglected, grew up with out horses and he is now at a very small boarding place, only 6 other horses.
One thing I notice is everyday is different, some days he will be more on alert on the trail, some days more fearful, some days want to walk more, graze more, notice a caterpillar, or watch a duck in the pond. I never know how he will be or what our time together will include.
What a great way to get to know him, well done. Every day is always different as you say, just observe him and make good choices for you both and his trust in your will grow.
It’s incredibly heartwarming to see this information now being disseminated on a much wider scale. The learning never stops and I’m so grateful for individuals like yourselves for making it your goal to being this education to the masses. I’m still on my learning journey and have a long way to go – it’s tough to give up control in an environment when our goals our priority whether that be going for a ride, exercising our horses or sometimes just keeping them safe. But it’s a journey and it’s wonderful that so many more equestrians are opening their minds and hearts to the connection that is possible with our horses. Thank you both. (Loving your book too Andrea, don’t want it to finish). xx
Thank you, i love what you wrote. Yes it is hard to give up control, but oh so liberating when we can, even a little. Glad you are here.
Wish easy access to this type of information had been available 50 plus years ago. These courses are one of the positive aspects about social media that was not available before it evolved. I think more than what I learned about my horse watching this video is what I learned about myself and that is I’m projecting my own opinion and interpretation of what my horse is doing means vs what it actually means from the horses point of view. Of course my opinion has been shaped by a lifetime of being told that the horse is always testing my ability to be their leader. It’s time to shift more of my thinking away from this as there are many layers to this “onion” and to be more in-tune with my horse brings peace in this crazy world.
Brilliant observations. Well done. Yes there are many layers to the onion. Glad you are here
Thank you. One suggestion I have is to have the camera on the horses more than you and Callie (even though I love seeing you two as well!) a couple of times, as you were speaking, I really wanted to be seeing the horses. I love what you said about how people love seeing the “excited, running, magnificent horse”. This resonated with me a lot. I try to spend a little time with my filly in her field each time after I groom and walk her around the arena, but today, I am just going to go and spend time in the field. Thank you.
Good idea. I hope it went well with you and your filly in the field.
Really enjoyed your video. Looking forward to watching more and at the same time spending more time with my horse. I rescued him so the last 6 months have mostly been spent getting to know each other. Everyday he does something different so I feel he is becoming more relaxed around us and letting his guard down
Lucky boy to have you. So glad you are here and enjoying this workshop.
I would have much rather seen the horses the entire time and heard your voices. I did observe a nice quiet bond between you two, though. . .
Understood. x
Hi Andrea, your mini course is very useful for me and while watching your advises I thought the good times that I pass with my horses. And I understood your main idea which you want to give us. I ride horses two times in a week and I spend nice times with them. When I give them hello each time by touching their noses, they know me from my voice and they say me welcome by shaking their heads. I have good friendship with them and they like the carrots that I bring to them in each of my riding lectures. I love horses so much, they are so special beings and very noble. Thanks for your useful tutorials.
You are so welcome, i am so glad they have helped you and your horses.
I saw many times horses rubbing their nose on their front legs. I really appreciate that you mention it. In all of my previous training nobody paid attention to this obvious habit sharing among so many horses.
Thank you!
It is interesting isn’t it. Such a good little clue to how they are feeling.
I got my new horse a year and half ago. The first couple months we spent time getting to know each other, then after that she was injured by another horse, and a few months after that she got sick with Strangles. So even though these were devastating times for the two of us, we did create a great bond as I helped her to heal. I am so excited to increase that bond with your suggestions. Thank you so much for your wonderful insight. I am excited to learn more!
Gosh it does like that sometimes with horses, i am glad she is on the mend now. I bet your bond will flourish now.
This is a wonderful thing to learn. I enjoy the information and I actually don’t have a horse.
But I am wondering why in this video are we seeing the humans sitting in the grass talking about what they are seeing these horses doing and not observing the horses with them and just hearing a voice over so we can observe what the horses and doing and you are observing?
I think it would be helpful to see what you are seeing when you point those things out.
Thank you
Hi Eleni, understood. Maybe we will do that next time. This is just a small snippet from a larger program, but we will bear this in mind next time.
Because I have been unable to ride due to health reasons it has allowed me to really step back and reassess our relationship. I found these courses at the best possible time. I knew I needed to slow down but really didn’t know how much. I love this course and can’t wait to see where this journey takes us. I am already seeing a lot of positive changes. For one my gelding hardly shows as many signs of stress.
So glad the timing was spot on for you Terri.
My mare recently had an injury and prior to lungeing her for physical therapy I just sit on my mounting block in my outdoor arena waiting for her to seek me out vs me going to bring her in. When she comes to me I have her touch my hand and we walk together without any halter or lead rope. I love connecting with her and helping her heal.
Your connection sounds very strong. Well done.
Great to see just hanging out in the field promoted…. I have been doing this with mine since he was about 2 and people always comment on our bond. He’s 13 now
Wonderful, he is lucky to have you.
Thank you so much for all this information. It’s been a « aha » moment for me!
I was wondering : would a « dominant » horse (or one that is used to leading and protecting others) interact with you that same way, appreciating that you check the environment for his safety etc ?
Absolutely, it is totally exhausting being the guardrian for the herd, so when we can take a turn and relieve them of their duty, they love it.
The sound isn’t working for me. The intro has music but I can’t hear the dialogue. Any ideas? Thanks!
hmmm, not sure. Its working this end. Try rebooting computer and if no luck email support@horseclass.com
Hi Andrea.
I was listening to your words, and I felt so good. I very much agree with your words and with your way of thinking, and I connected a lot with your world.
Just 2 days ago I went to the farm where I am volunteering already a few years and raiding the same horse for years and I just went to be with them, brushing them and relaxing with them. I just stopped brushing them and started watching them. It was like I was in the paradise, I took a deep breath and I could smell the aroma of that beautiful animal.
Oh i love that smell too. Glad it is all resonating with you.
The horse that I am leasing just arrived a few days ago at the barn. He’s very quiet and we had a good ride, but I think that observing him more in his paddock will help me understand him when I am not “with” him. It is so true that sometimes the horse just needs to be a horse, no people involved! This was a very worthwhile video!
Wonderful. Yes he needs time to relax and learn about his new environment. Well done for realising this.
lovely to watch and listen. just to let the horse be a horse. would love to see how they are out with their grazing muzzles. my horse is canadian, insulin resistant and must wear a muzzle; wonder how that works with them and their turnout friend does need a muzzle. thank you, look forward to more of the videos.
Hmm good question. Let me know what you observe.
I regularly watch my horses, I love being near them or afar in the field and see how they interact with the herd. I realized that Casper whos basically a schoolmaster is very gentle and yet still holds a very high commanding place in his small turnout herd. Hes not aggressive or dominating, but his quiet nature and wisdom has led the younger ones to follow his lead. Hes often followed around. I always thought Casper was a perfect gentleman but now I’ve truly seen it, he really is a special one!
He sounds perfect to me
above note from daisy should read turnout friend does not need to wear a grazing muzzle.
Ah ok, yes so that would make an even more interesting dynamic.
This video has really got me thinking. I have never owned my own horse and only get to horses at all about once a week, if I’m lucky. This means I always have an agenda, a goal. However well intentioned, it means that I never go to just hang out. Because I only have an hour or two a week, I feel like I have to ‘do’ something. This applies so much to the horse I am spending time with at the moment. She is 27, arthritic, underfed, neglected, feet are sore, matted mane, etc. I feel that she needs so much that ‘just’ going there to hang out with her seems like not enough.
Hi Loudine, i bet she would appricate just having a friend hang out with her. I understand she has urgent medical needs, which i hope are being taken care of by the facility you visit. You may well be a light in her week.
Dear Andrea, thank you for your kind words. She is at least being fed a senior supplement now, and has gained some weight. I take her a tea to help with arthritis, but that is it as far as care goes. Hence feeling that I have to do something ‘useful’ every time I go. Tomorrow I will spend a good deal of time just hanging out and observing her before I think of doing anything else. Thanks again!
thank godness she has you. If you are worried she is being uncared for maybe talk with the relevent animals services in your area. I am glad you are there for her x
I immediately implemented looking around the area where my horse and I are, and looking as quick as I can where he does and you know almost immediately when he looks somewhere it is a split second then he looks at me to see if I am looking and my reaction. Then we go on together whatever we are doing. I am so grateful to be the recipient of such an amazing gift!!!!
Fantastic Kim, i am so happy for you! Yay
Love this video! I just did this with my horse last week. After the barn was quiet, I brought her out to the indoor arena and let her loose. I thought she would like to get a few rolls in and maybe run around a bit as we hadn’t ridden that day. I let her loose and she slowly sauntered over to one side of the barn and got a great roll in. I figured she would then want to run around a bit. I stayed standing still in the center. She surprised me by instead of going for a run, she walked back over to where I was and nuzzled into my shoulder. l lifted my arms up to hug her and we just stayed like that for almost 5 full mins. When she drew her head back, I asked if she was ready for bed and she headed towards the door. I do liberty a lot with my girl. We have a very strong connection because of it. She knows she can 100% trust me and I believe the same about her. It really takes your connection to the next level. Love seeing this video and hoping such things can help others with their connections as it has me.
I am so glad that you are so connected with your horse, sounds like your relationship is great.
It sounds like your relationship is wonderful. Well done.
I have a small indoor, since my pasture is really muddy & wet at the moment. I noticed my horse when he is first let out he rushes eating hay, then slowly slows down. He also likes to be near/or have an exit point as well. He also has figured out how to open his hay bag. When you walk up to him his ears are forward & happy, but after saying hello they go back & he walks away, they stay back even when go to get to him for a ride. When I ride his ears are up & when he has had enough he slows down or his tail starts to swish vigorously. He is 1 that does not like his face or neck stroked/petted, but likes his withers nuzzle or a good boy. I wish there was a Liberty trainer near me, because this is how he would like to learn things before being ridden.
These are fantastic observations. I can see you have really been paying attention. Well done you.
I have a small indoor, since my pasture is really muddy & wet at the moment. I noticed my horse when he is first let out he rushes eating hay, then slowly slows down. He also likes to be near/or have an exit point as well. He also has figured out how to open his hay bag. When you walk up to him his ears are forward & happy, but after saying hello they go back & he walks away, they stay back even when go to get to him for a ride. When I ride his ears are up & when he has had enough he slows down or his tail starts to swish vigorously. He is 1 that does not like his face or neck stroked/petted, but likes his withers nuzzle or a good boy. I wish there was a Liberty trainer near me, because this is how he would like to learn things before being ridden.
I love this. It is very reassuring to hear your comments and it gives me confidence I’m on the right path. I teach and one horse in particular puts her nose to her foreleg often. Her rider asks her if she wants to scratch, go ahead. I said one day I don’t think she wants to scratch. I think it’s more of a nervous habit. I think she’s expressing herself. I also have been raising a young one and starting her. She’s very mouthy. Though I would like her to be less mouthy, I do believe that she communicates more through her mouth. That is her way of connecting with me. Some people when you talk to them, they touch you a lot on the arm. My daughter whacks me on my shoulder a lot
it’s when she’s excited and when she’s trying to share something with me. That’s my little horse. I have six and I am their sole caretaker. I often just sit with them. It is my calm. I have a hard time teaching because of the energy that comes in to the barn. It’s often so loud. And I get it. Life in our modern day world is so chaotic. But I find it derailing so imagine how the horses feel. This isn’t just observing horses, this is observing life and teaching people how to slow down, how to breathe, how to settle. It’s quite the journey. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to the next video!
i agree, horses communicate a lot with their mouths. It is great that you allow her to explore, but it is ok to have a boundry on how far that goes. Touch is so important to them.
Yes life is fast isn’t it. Well done for realising horses need us to slow down.
Great video! I’m lucky enough to have my horses at home and I often go and just sit with them. When I’m having a difficult day it’s a good thing to have them around, it makes such a difference… they come and say hi, walk away, come back, hang out, walk away… and somehow, whatever it was that made my day difficult suddenly is no longer there!
I love this. well done
Thank you Andrea for this wonderful video. I’m about to move my mare to a new yard, she will finally be in a herd, and I can’t wait! I plan to sit and watch her interactions. She will often come to connect with me if she’s unsure so I hope me doing this will help her settle. Is it true mares don’t play as much as geldings?
I have just watched video 1. Thank you for explaining that liberty with horses can have as much pressure as with a line. True liberty is giving the horse choice. So many people don’t know what to do when the horse walks away from them. You have to make yourself someone your horse likes to be with. I also think we have to be careful when we are always the ones seeking relaxation and calm from our horses and using them as therapy for ourselves. True connection is always a two way street. Our horses have to be able to seek comfort from us as well and we need to step up and be the calm, relaxed one in the relationship.
Yes true connection is for sure a two way street.
I think there is some merit in the fact that geldings are more playful than mares, but i have seen plenty of mares play.
Glad you are enjoying.
I found by accident that one my horses loves to play follow the leader. We pivot, made circles, back up etc. I found that this relaxes him, which I find very interesting. I have also found that he will seek to eat grass when he is stressed, like as soon as I unload him from the trailer. As I get older, I find that I enjoy just spending time hanging with the horses and I don’t need to actually ride as much. Thank you for this video, as it validates my new way of spending time with horses.
I am so glad this helped you find validation. Keep doing what your doing, it sounds like your horses are lucky to have you.
I LOVE that you are doing this series. I am a licensed mental health professional, who incorporates animals in the therapy process. What I frequently see in this field of work is that animals are “used” to help promote client awareness of themselves in activities that promote “doing” rather than “being.” Sadly, many models for equine assisted therapy rarely allow for horses to have complete choice or the freedom to decline to participate. Instead, animals are often pushed into doing something under the perspective that it is “good for them,” and specific language is used to support that premise. In the process, horses are required to comply, and many have frequent health issues due to stress. The value, for both horse and human, of observing and joining a horse in its natural environment, without requiring anything of them, is IMMEASURABLE.
I love this liberty workshop. Can’t open lesson 3. It there something I need to do to move on yo lesson 3?
That will open on Saturday. x
Please send me a link for the remainder of the classes. And the cost as well.
What a horse does mean, when it is bucking towards you when you let it be free, altough you do not let energy towards hi?
Thank you so much for these videos. What an eye opener for sure.
So much to learn and yes to try and be more present for our horse.
They deserve our attention