Gosh, to me, this is the epitome of horsemanship. Horse and rider/handler are in complete unison......I have been striving for this for the last 25 years and I can only imagine what it would be like to achieve even a snippet of what you have accomplished.....I commend you.
What I like best about this is how the horse is more or less always keeping the head on/over the vertical linje (wich is good, in the competition dressage most horses are a bit behind etc.. -.-') But where can I teach this? I can without problem ride my horse bridless and train with him from the ground, but i'd like to know more about the dressage and how to get "results" without force etc. =)
This is pretty cool. I wish I felt this safe with the horse I ride. She's a bit of a twit and tends to spook at the silliest things to get out of work. I trust her to be an idiot and am plesantly surprised when she is willing to cooperate on the odd days. I could probalby do something similar with the therapy horses I work with but its so hard to do dressage with the old guys.
This is a beautiful example of resistance-free riding. This horse appears well conditioned for his work--in both body and mind. He is relaxed and happy yet animated and responsive. His topline show proper dressage training rather than forced positioning to get results. Thank you for proving that classical dressage requires no bridle, no saddle, and no rollkur. Pretty boy.
Even horses @ play and at Libety, request something from each other. You'll see the dominant horse always asking the other to move his feet- I don't think the horses thinks the same about it as we do- Fullfillment may be different than happiness, but either way you can see if a horse is happy in his surroundings- this is a relationship that each one is obviously willing to give to the other- beautifull!!
This is inspirational. Many of these videos claim that all tack methods are wrong, but for many horse owners, a bridle is compulsory, due to the nature of the horse. I would love to ride tackless with my palomino, but due to his forward going nature, I consider it nearly impossible. I think this video has a great balance, riding with and without tack. I truly admire you.
Thank you, Karen, I used to be a dressage rider in Europe before I moved to work in Africa, and there were many things we were doing that did not let me sleep at night... recently there seem to be more and more people who change their ways of working with horses and dogs, and that's great news for the animals. Sadly there are still top dressage riders who simply torture their horses into success on the ring... maybe under the public pressure it will also change one day?
Great! Especially piruetes... ;-) I work similarly with "my" mare, but with one important distinction - only in stretching! :D We have still a long way to the collection... But this is a great inspiration for us, thanks. ;-)
Very cool video :) Looks like you are having lots of fun with your horse (which is how it should be). Quick question, how do you get your horse to trot and lope around you with no lead rope on? I've seen people do this in other videos and I'm just curious how you were able to teach that to your horse.
@LadyoftheBait The natural horsemanship she is using is Parelli. Anyone can learn how to do the ground work. I have been doing Parelli for 6 months now, and it is like magic. Go to Parelli.com to learn more, it is a fantastic program.
Dressage with no string attached. I like it. This is how it should alway be, not with tight side reins, and all the other mecanical stuff dressage riders use.
Natural beauty is revealed with time taken, feel and love. To honour the beautiful horse and horsemen who use kind hands please sign the petition on website: wu-wei-verlag and clicking on: Officials! Stop Hyperflexion! Riding these magnificent animals can be wonderful but there are sadly some that abuse the generosity of these animals with the use of a quick fix hidden from the untrained eye. Sign and study the tragic physiological effect of Roll-kur. BHS supports petition.
actually, there's neither real extension nor real collection. the horse's back is extruded, it is banging its tail, the croup line is going up, not down.
Hi... well, it is only low when i am asking him to stretch, it comes up when i ask him to come up! Just wanted to show how much the neck and body can change shape just through talking to the body.
she is a GREAT rider and horseman! amazing how well they get along. however, i'm concerned that her arms and hands were stiff and rigid when she had tack on. the horse didn't seem to mind though..
Aloha! I saw Karen working with Monty on the Parelli Savvy Club site. He's a Lippizan. He had been a problem for previous owners (they went to hospital, etc.) and Karen got Monty at about 11 years. Karen retrained him with a Parelli foundation. I think I got that right. The beautiful relationship between Monty and Karen is all the more poignant when you realize what he'd been through.
All training must involve an element of force/pressure - so isn't natural horsemanship just about getting a reponse to a different set of cues? eg waving the stick in the air, touching the neck etc etc
That doesnt really answer my question it just leads on to the question 'how do you know he is doing it because he wants to?'. Surley the only time you could really say that is if it was his idea to do it - if he is doing something to 'command' then there can always be an element of force or coersion. The stuff on natural horsemanship I have seen is about the horse yeilding to physical/psycological pressure and surely that does not equate to free will on the part of the horse.
@TheMoyse It isnt done with force or coersion, when you really understand how the horse thinks and what his instincts cause him to do you can then cause your idea to become his idea. Once you get the communication with your horse and you and him are on the "same page" they start to offer things to you because they are using the "thinking side" of their brain. With that you build on each thought. They really learn to read your energy and 'thoughts" if you will.
you are so right in a way...there is no such thing as completely positive reinforcement in animal training. how it becomes 'natural" though, is when you apply pressure in much the same way an animal would experience out in the wild with their own kind. for
eg, the alpha in a wild herd of horses would apply pressure through the act of biting, driving one of it's members away from him/her....if you can mimic this through pressure with your hand/stick BUT do NOT hurt the horse and DONT' do it out of fear/frustration/anger, then you are communication with the horse on a level they are much more likely to understand
Yes I have both. I interpret some of their behaviours as indicating that some of the time they are happy - but I could be wrong. I think you can only theorize that cats, dogs and horses feel happiness as we understand it. The reason for my question was that someone said that the horse looked unhappy because its ears were backk etc but someone else interpreted this as the horse concentrating or making an effort like an athelete would.
Perhaps you should spend more time around horses and take the time to understand their behavior. I can assure you that when a horse puts its ears back out of anger, you will know.
That wasn't my question - I am asking about how you know when a horse is happy. An absence of anger doesn't equal happiness. If anyone knows the answer to my question please let me know.
TheMoyse, I find your question a very interesting one. I think, for prey animals, that the expenditure of unnecessary energy which is not motivated by fear, might be construed as "happiness". Picture a herd, tearing around a pasture on the first cool day of fall, bucking, play-fighting, and frolicking. In the wild, such behavior would not further survival, since it wastes vital energy and attracts attention. For that reason, I think it might be defined as 'play'. Thoughts?
I can see where you are coming from & would agree. I could also see a scenario where companions are mutually grooming one another and there is a quieter expression of happiness. In both situations I would argue that the individual horse has control of whether they participate of not - so there is self-expression. However if you move to a scenario where a trainer is 'working' a horse what behaviours would indicate that the horse is treating the 'work' as 'play' or collaborating & is 'happy'?
I tend to apply the same criteria-- exuberance. I think anytime the horse offers you something with more energy than is necessary to simply avoid negative reinforcement, he or she is participating with you. I look to things done at liberty for insight. When my ex-kid's-lesson-horse, who is now my Parelli levels horse, started trotting to the gate when I showed up with a halter instead of listlessly wandering to the far end of the pasture, I knew he was beginning to happily participate.
Glad you found the question interesting. It is a genuine one. Some people on here seem to think that if you ask questions to try and get a clearer understanding you are criticising.
I also like your point about the quiet happiness of mutual grooming or just 'hanging out'. I think that can translate to interaction with humans, too. My two-year-old spent a solid 20 minutes this morning following me around while I mucked out the corral and three-sided shed. Since she was there anyway, I started asking her to yield forequarters, hindquarters, back up, etc. as I walked past with a forkful of manure. This was apparently more interesting to her than her pile of hay. Go figure.
how do we know they are happy?... it is always a 'best guess' but I think when you do things at liberty or bridleless the horse certainly has opportunities to leave or do as they prefer... but yes, people could be cruel and forceful even in liberty work... I guess the main thing is how willingly they choose to show up the next day for more of the same!!
What do when given options?
And how can it be done in a way that I can sleep at night! :-)
@TheMoyse Actually, the best training doesn't come from force, but from using positive reinforcement to train a natural behavior... in any animal. Most of the time you can't use much force with a horse or they will rebel. You can tell this horse is happy. If he were upset he'd be tossing his head and laying his ears back against his head, and probably tossing off his rider among other things.
@faeorie so in this video are you saying that having the ears laid back and swishing the tail is a sign of happiness? Using your standard of happiness arent horses who are trained traditionally likely to be equally as happy?
@TheMoyse While it's true that Natural Horsemanship does use pressure in the forms of negative reinforcement and positive punishment, not all training involves force or elicitation. You can capture and/or shape behaviors by waiting for the animal to offer that behavior on his/her own and then give the animal a reinforcer. Most trainers that use this method are clicker trainers and animal behaviorists (as in research scientists, not people that label themselves as behaviorists).
Very nice. This is the direction I was going with my horse before I lost him unexpectedly.. I hope to find a new partner someday. Beautiful work! Bravo.
That is my goal with my horse, she is only 2, but super sensitive. Why would you EVEr use a saddle & bridle again if you could ride that way, so much more natural & you can truely feel every movement your horses make.
Horses collect themselves and display many maneuver when they playing together in the pasture.. It is very natural for them.. riding with a saddle is not natural but done correctly with the horses best interest at heart it can be much better experience for them.. and Karen's horse sure looks like he is very happy Brilliant video!
Maybe it's just me, but doesn't it stop being 'natural' when humans are introduced to the horse; when we teach them to collect, back, saddle etc? Good video, just something to think about...
Yes. It does. That said, I have seen my gelding piaffe when he's in the pasture showing off for the mares, and I've watched a 3 day old filly perform a perfect canter pirouette. Those of us who aspire to natural horsemanship want to inspire our horses to play with us in that way, voluntarily, rather than forcing them. That doesn't mean we succeed (we are still students; still learning), but that is our goal. Your point is well taken, though.
In a way, yes, but this is about keeping everything as natural as possible and keeping the horse wanting to do more for us rather than forcing, which is 100% nautural desire.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
she had a clinic at the barn I was riding at. It was not a good clinic. There were seven or more people in each lesson. Most of the borders were more confused then anything afterward. She also charged alot of money. In fact most people did not ride the last day.sorry to say it. I would also Iike to see her riding more than one horse in her video.
I would love to attend one of your clinics, I am working on my level three in Parelli and absolutely love the relationship it creates between horse and rider as so aptly shown in your video!! Yea!!
For all the bit, saddle, whip and spur hates out there! Look at this rider! Shes riding both bareback and fully geared, and the horse is having a great time! so yeah (:
I love your videos! I am working on my Parelli level 3 right now and I really want to take one of your clinics sometime soon. What you do is so amazing!!!
The difference between working under saddle and totally free is amazing!!Beautiful!And the music fits the video so much!Can someone please tell me the title of this song?Thank you!:)
Yes, because in this element horse neeeds neck to action to put weight on hind part to release front legs for action. But riding without collection(which supposes first of all neck to be rounded to hold rider's weight better) at all is extremely harmful from inside.....
Amazing bond and amazing rider, and definately an amazing horse. Just on top of all the positive things there could possibly be to add, what impressed me most was the horse's self carriage. Anyone who claims a dressage rider 'cranks' the horse's head into an unnatural position needs to watch this video. Thanks so much :)
I'm from Germany and I have to tell you, this is amazing! I read about you in a Magazine and the first time I saw your Monty, I thought "Wow, he's happy!".
The Problems we have over here is that people who call themselves "riders" think they have to punish their horse to get where they want to. In my opinion it is a unbelievable feeling if your horse allows you to erm... let's say "talk" to you and trusts in whatever you do.
Hi, Not sure if anyone can help me but i am after a pair of the D,N reins. I tried to purchase them on the website but i think it is still under construction and it wouldn't let me go past the checkout part. I am from Australia, is there any other way i can purchase the reins?. Thanks,
WOW! I am a young rider and I have been riding for about 9 years. I have always wanted to ride like that and be able to do everything that I do with a saddle but bareback. I think it was amazing seeing what you can do with your horse and it demonstrates a real partnership. Also I think that your horse was very relaxed and happy without a saddle.
Beautifull & thanks for sharing this video. I was at your clinic last week and you're a wonderfull teacher!!! The simulation games especially where an eye opener. I rode my horse yesterday and I we both noticed the differences, as a result of those simulations. Wow! Thanks !!!
Hope to see you again next year. Kind regards, Els & Amigo (Nl)
mental/emotional health of my horses is a priority
certain clues: ears, tail, displaced behaviors
but cannot be taken in isolation: what is the expression on the face of the human runner as he is doing the race? Perhaps not a general 'happy smile' although the athlete would rather be in that moment than anywhere else!
ears forward could mean desperation, ears back could mean focus
at liberty and bridleless he has a big opportunity to leave if he does not like it. i am happy he chooses to stay!
i didnt mean to offend anyone by saying the horse looked unhappy, believe me i love my horse so much and i am all for doing things naturally, but it is my opinion and i am staying by that. sorry if i have offended you, im not against the video, what the rider is getting the horse to do is amazing, but its my opinion.
Great vid! Personally I think the comments about the horse being unhappy are a little unfounded due to the fact that it would have been way too easy to dislodge his rider to rid himself of the "unhappiness" lol! Sometimes the ears back position can mean he is finding the work challenging (and also listening to the rider as said before) but he had every opportunity to say "no" and chose not to- what fantastic two-way communication!
I agree with others. This horse is not unhappy, he's concentrating. To offer those sort of movements without a bridle means this horse is in tune with his rider. This is dressage in it's purest form! No need for keeping the horse "on the bit" with hard hands and unnatural training aids. He offers it!
it is very neat, and very clever,its just he has his ears back at the beginning when she is riding him, he just looks upset, but it is gr8 vid though!!
Wow thats pretty damn cool - I am so impressed!!! Idont think the horse is unhappy - if it was it would not do it,,,,,, I think it is just focussing and coming to terms with what is being asked
I just wanted to say that your lippizan is absolutely beautiful! I love the video. It's too bad that there are still so many people who don't see it and want that with their horse. You have done a phenomenal job. The best of fortune to you and yours! ^^-- @@)||\ || |||\ "
This is simply beautiful, such great horsemanship.
Dr3ssage 2 months ago
Lol
RyuNovafan 3 months ago
No saddle, no spurs : amazing.
michel140170 7 months ago
What a wonderful sight! Maybe one dayI will figure out how to be more comfortable bareback and see what happens.
sardonic12 8 months ago
you couldnt have picked a more perfect song. beautiful
RedFoxeh 8 months ago
Gosh, to me, this is the epitome of horsemanship. Horse and rider/handler are in complete unison......I have been striving for this for the last 25 years and I can only imagine what it would be like to achieve even a snippet of what you have accomplished.....I commend you.
lippystic 10 months ago
thats amazing!
amannie11 10 months ago
REAL horsemanship.
marigold321 10 months ago
What I like best about this is how the horse is more or less always keeping the head on/over the vertical linje (wich is good, in the competition dressage most horses are a bit behind etc.. -.-') But where can I teach this? I can without problem ride my horse bridless and train with him from the ground, but i'd like to know more about the dressage and how to get "results" without force etc. =)
Marixxen2 1 year ago
WOW. Karen! You inspire me to do natural horsemanship :)
i need to try it with my dressage pony
belongtobill 1 year ago
This is pretty cool. I wish I felt this safe with the horse I ride. She's a bit of a twit and tends to spook at the silliest things to get out of work. I trust her to be an idiot and am plesantly surprised when she is willing to cooperate on the odd days. I could probalby do something similar with the therapy horses I work with but its so hard to do dressage with the old guys.
squirealan 1 year ago
Gorgeous Karen! :) ( Your old student JK)
namastejjk 1 year ago
Gorgeous Karen! :) ( Your old student JK)
namastejjk 1 year ago
WOW thats an amazing horse esps when it does all that with your legs flying every where
aridxxluv 1 year ago
Oh my goodness! Amazing! :)
sweetsuds91 1 year ago
Now this is dressage... Naturally :D
xXkeyotaXx 1 year ago
dont u wanna teach my horse?? :D:D:D:D
sibugranada 1 year ago
Amazing. Absolutely amazing.
May I ask, what breed is the horse? Looks like a Lippi or an Andy....??
leeshdiddy22 1 year ago
This is a beautiful example of resistance-free riding. This horse appears well conditioned for his work--in both body and mind. He is relaxed and happy yet animated and responsive. His topline show proper dressage training rather than forced positioning to get results. Thank you for proving that classical dressage requires no bridle, no saddle, and no rollkur. Pretty boy.
ebaravik 1 year ago
Even horses @ play and at Libety, request something from each other. You'll see the dominant horse always asking the other to move his feet- I don't think the horses thinks the same about it as we do- Fullfillment may be different than happiness, but either way you can see if a horse is happy in his surroundings- this is a relationship that each one is obviously willing to give to the other- beautifull!!
jett888 1 year ago
omg the piaffe is so amazing!
SametHorses 1 year ago
can you spend some time with my horse haha, when you ask him to stretch he is so relaxed and "un"hollow
CrazyForLucky 1 year ago
this is great!!!!!
poneylover4ever 1 year ago
This is inspirational. Many of these videos claim that all tack methods are wrong, but for many horse owners, a bridle is compulsory, due to the nature of the horse. I would love to ride tackless with my palomino, but due to his forward going nature, I consider it nearly impossible. I think this video has a great balance, riding with and without tack. I truly admire you.
xXAmyAndTriggerXx 1 year ago
Thank you, Karen, I used to be a dressage rider in Europe before I moved to work in Africa, and there were many things we were doing that did not let me sleep at night... recently there seem to be more and more people who change their ways of working with horses and dogs, and that's great news for the animals. Sadly there are still top dressage riders who simply torture their horses into success on the ring... maybe under the public pressure it will also change one day?
magdalenamambo 1 year ago
Great! Especially piruetes... ;-) I work similarly with "my" mare, but with one important distinction - only in stretching! :D We have still a long way to the collection... But this is a great inspiration for us, thanks. ;-)
Elerian17 1 year ago
what breed?
SparklyReiner87 1 year ago
this is beautiful.
Jaaakeismine 1 year ago
the vids without the bridle are the most beautiful parts! =)
great Video!! Favourites! :)
Smile6556 1 year ago
love it i wish i could do it with my pony but she'd gallop off!!
angelbabey99 1 year ago
Very cool video :) Looks like you are having lots of fun with your horse (which is how it should be). Quick question, how do you get your horse to trot and lope around you with no lead rope on? I've seen people do this in other videos and I'm just curious how you were able to teach that to your horse.
LadyoftheBait 1 year ago
@LadyoftheBait The natural horsemanship she is using is Parelli. Anyone can learn how to do the ground work. I have been doing Parelli for 6 months now, and it is like magic. Go to Parelli.com to learn more, it is a fantastic program.
MysticWoods 1 year ago
Dressage with no string attached. I like it. This is how it should alway be, not with tight side reins, and all the other mecanical stuff dressage riders use.
SarcasticMule 2 years ago 10
@SarcasticMule "mecanical stuff" SOME "dressage riders use"- remember, not all drassage is
done through force, this is why it's so refreshing and rewarding to watch Karen work with her and
her clients horses
jett888 9 months ago 2
THIS is dressage
mallithegr8 2 years ago 2
@mallithegr8 Sadly, this is horsemanship, not dressage. But I can see where you're coming from =]
SparkaliLaPop 1 year ago
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Natural beauty is revealed with time taken, feel and love. To honour the beautiful horse and horsemen who use kind hands please sign the petition on website: wu-wei-verlag and clicking on: Officials! Stop Hyperflexion! Riding these magnificent animals can be wonderful but there are sadly some that abuse the generosity of these animals with the use of a quick fix hidden from the untrained eye. Sign and study the tragic physiological effect of Roll-kur. BHS supports petition.
Horsehealth 2 years ago
wow! thats amazing...
yaellolo3 2 years ago
This is the way dressage was suppose to always be...Natural and beautiful...
My overwhelming compliments..
SweetJudith12345 2 years ago 9
Beautiful video! great horsehandling, great riding, and all looks really natural! Congratulations
Naturalhorse1 2 years ago
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actually, there's neither real extension nor real collection. the horse's back is extruded, it is banging its tail, the croup line is going up, not down.
littlenancygirl 2 years ago
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littlenancygirl 2 years ago
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Wiana4 2 years ago
Hi... well, it is only low when i am asking him to stretch, it comes up when i ask him to come up! Just wanted to show how much the neck and body can change shape just through talking to the body.
thanks for the compliments!
kssage 2 years ago 2
marvelous ... bravo
marsvdberg 2 years ago
she is a GREAT rider and horseman! amazing how well they get along. however, i'm concerned that her arms and hands were stiff and rigid when she had tack on. the horse didn't seem to mind though..
saddlepotato159 2 years ago
Great job training him/her. He/she looks happy. :)
TripleCrush 2 years ago
Aloha! I saw Karen working with Monty on the Parelli Savvy Club site. He's a Lippizan. He had been a problem for previous owners (they went to hospital, etc.) and Karen got Monty at about 11 years. Karen retrained him with a Parelli foundation. I think I got that right. The beautiful relationship between Monty and Karen is all the more poignant when you realize what he'd been through.
OlomanaLiz 2 years ago
Can someone clarify a couple of things for me:
How do you tell if a horse is happy?
All training must involve an element of force/pressure - so isn't natural horsemanship just about getting a reponse to a different set of cues? eg waving the stick in the air, touching the neck etc etc
TheMoyse 2 years ago
The horse is doing the work because it wants to not because it is being made to.
lunagypsyhorse 2 years ago
That doesnt really answer my question it just leads on to the question 'how do you know he is doing it because he wants to?'. Surley the only time you could really say that is if it was his idea to do it - if he is doing something to 'command' then there can always be an element of force or coersion. The stuff on natural horsemanship I have seen is about the horse yeilding to physical/psycological pressure and surely that does not equate to free will on the part of the horse.
TheMoyse 2 years ago
@TheMoyse It isnt done with force or coersion, when you really understand how the horse thinks and what his instincts cause him to do you can then cause your idea to become his idea. Once you get the communication with your horse and you and him are on the "same page" they start to offer things to you because they are using the "thinking side" of their brain. With that you build on each thought. They really learn to read your energy and 'thoughts" if you will.
houndsnhorses 2 years ago
you are so right in a way...there is no such thing as completely positive reinforcement in animal training. how it becomes 'natural" though, is when you apply pressure in much the same way an animal would experience out in the wild with their own kind. for
trevjack77 2 years ago
eg, the alpha in a wild herd of horses would apply pressure through the act of biting, driving one of it's members away from him/her....if you can mimic this through pressure with your hand/stick BUT do NOT hurt the horse and DONT' do it out of fear/frustration/anger, then you are communication with the horse on a level they are much more likely to understand
trevjack77 2 years ago
Do you own a dog? Or a cat? Are your pets happy?
VRMorrigon 2 years ago
Yes I have both. I interpret some of their behaviours as indicating that some of the time they are happy - but I could be wrong. I think you can only theorize that cats, dogs and horses feel happiness as we understand it. The reason for my question was that someone said that the horse looked unhappy because its ears were backk etc but someone else interpreted this as the horse concentrating or making an effort like an athelete would.
TheMoyse 2 years ago
Perhaps you should spend more time around horses and take the time to understand their behavior. I can assure you that when a horse puts its ears back out of anger, you will know.
VRMorrigon 2 years ago
That wasn't my question - I am asking about how you know when a horse is happy. An absence of anger doesn't equal happiness. If anyone knows the answer to my question please let me know.
TheMoyse 2 years ago
TheMoyse, I find your question a very interesting one. I think, for prey animals, that the expenditure of unnecessary energy which is not motivated by fear, might be construed as "happiness". Picture a herd, tearing around a pasture on the first cool day of fall, bucking, play-fighting, and frolicking. In the wild, such behavior would not further survival, since it wastes vital energy and attracts attention. For that reason, I think it might be defined as 'play'. Thoughts?
ponygirl72 2 years ago
I can see where you are coming from & would agree. I could also see a scenario where companions are mutually grooming one another and there is a quieter expression of happiness. In both situations I would argue that the individual horse has control of whether they participate of not - so there is self-expression. However if you move to a scenario where a trainer is 'working' a horse what behaviours would indicate that the horse is treating the 'work' as 'play' or collaborating & is 'happy'?
TheMoyse 2 years ago
I tend to apply the same criteria-- exuberance. I think anytime the horse offers you something with more energy than is necessary to simply avoid negative reinforcement, he or she is participating with you. I look to things done at liberty for insight. When my ex-kid's-lesson-horse, who is now my Parelli levels horse, started trotting to the gate when I showed up with a halter instead of listlessly wandering to the far end of the pasture, I knew he was beginning to happily participate.
ponygirl72 2 years ago
Glad you found the question interesting. It is a genuine one. Some people on here seem to think that if you ask questions to try and get a clearer understanding you are criticising.
TheMoyse 2 years ago
I also like your point about the quiet happiness of mutual grooming or just 'hanging out'. I think that can translate to interaction with humans, too. My two-year-old spent a solid 20 minutes this morning following me around while I mucked out the corral and three-sided shed. Since she was there anyway, I started asking her to yield forequarters, hindquarters, back up, etc. as I walked past with a forkful of manure. This was apparently more interesting to her than her pile of hay. Go figure.
ponygirl72 2 years ago
Hi...
how do we know they are happy?... it is always a 'best guess' but I think when you do things at liberty or bridleless the horse certainly has opportunities to leave or do as they prefer... but yes, people could be cruel and forceful even in liberty work... I guess the main thing is how willingly they choose to show up the next day for more of the same!!
What do when given options?
And how can it be done in a way that I can sleep at night! :-)
kssage 2 years ago 5
Well, if Monty wasn't liking this, he would just leave during the liberty work! But he stays and responds willingly. Good job Karen!
IIIBarsV 1 year ago
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Well, if Monty wasn't liking this, he would just leave during the liberty work! But he stays and responds willingly. Good job Karen!
IIIBarsV 1 year ago
@TheMoyse Actually, the best training doesn't come from force, but from using positive reinforcement to train a natural behavior... in any animal. Most of the time you can't use much force with a horse or they will rebel. You can tell this horse is happy. If he were upset he'd be tossing his head and laying his ears back against his head, and probably tossing off his rider among other things.
faeorie 1 year ago
@faeorie so in this video are you saying that having the ears laid back and swishing the tail is a sign of happiness? Using your standard of happiness arent horses who are trained traditionally likely to be equally as happy?
TheMoyse 1 year ago
@TheMoyse While it's true that Natural Horsemanship does use pressure in the forms of negative reinforcement and positive punishment, not all training involves force or elicitation. You can capture and/or shape behaviors by waiting for the animal to offer that behavior on his/her own and then give the animal a reinforcer. Most trainers that use this method are clicker trainers and animal behaviorists (as in research scientists, not people that label themselves as behaviorists).
TheCollectedCanine 1 year ago
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agastrumi 2 years ago
wats up with that music
popcornluver134 2 years ago
beautiful!!!!!
VaMpYhRe666grlz 2 years ago
omg.... that is awesomeee!!! iloveitttt:)
brooke0maxima 2 years ago
Hi, If you have the time could you please let me know the breed of your horse? I would love any info !! Thank you bunny
mvmortimer 2 years ago
Very nice. This is the direction I was going with my horse before I lost him unexpectedly.. I hope to find a new partner someday. Beautiful work! Bravo.
pegasus75068 2 years ago
That is my goal with my horse, she is only 2, but super sensitive. Why would you EVEr use a saddle & bridle again if you could ride that way, so much more natural & you can truely feel every movement your horses make.
~Crazy Angel~
Turnershot 2 years ago
That is amazing!
StunnaShowjumper 2 years ago
wow! amazing! good work!
TheBeautifulcowgirl 2 years ago
ce cheval a une merveilleuse vie en touka !! bravo !
bimyful 2 years ago
That was good I wish my horse would do that
6Ruth 2 years ago
Why can't i do that!!! This is amazing :)
IlovePruxxx 2 years ago
What is the name of this song?
ashlihale 2 years ago
The music sounds like Seal, the artist married to Heidi Klum? Try looking his songs up. Definitely Seal.
whirlybirdsf98 2 years ago
Seal feat Santana : You Are My Kind
great song for a great video
srobin54 2 years ago
That is absolutely beautiful! The desire from the horse to please and the connection between the two is absolutely amazing!!! This gives me chills:)
4knickz 2 years ago
Horses collect themselves and display many maneuver when they playing together in the pasture.. It is very natural for them.. riding with a saddle is not natural but done correctly with the horses best interest at heart it can be much better experience for them.. and Karen's horse sure looks like he is very happy Brilliant video!
savvygirl19 2 years ago
Very nice, good harmony and collection. The OP makes the hard look easy, that is the clue to a good trainer.
sidepasser 2 years ago
Maybe it's just me, but doesn't it stop being 'natural' when humans are introduced to the horse; when we teach them to collect, back, saddle etc? Good video, just something to think about...
MFoxworth90 2 years ago
Yes. It does. That said, I have seen my gelding piaffe when he's in the pasture showing off for the mares, and I've watched a 3 day old filly perform a perfect canter pirouette. Those of us who aspire to natural horsemanship want to inspire our horses to play with us in that way, voluntarily, rather than forcing them. That doesn't mean we succeed (we are still students; still learning), but that is our goal. Your point is well taken, though.
ponygirl72 2 years ago
In a way, yes, but this is about keeping everything as natural as possible and keeping the horse wanting to do more for us rather than forcing, which is 100% nautural desire.
110cowgirl 2 years ago
i luv this vid
jennaj1773 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He's either older or just fat. Nice horse but overweight.
allainadube 2 years ago
her horse canters like mine...
horsebackrider420 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
she had a clinic at the barn I was riding at. It was not a good clinic. There were seven or more people in each lesson. Most of the borders were more confused then anything afterward. She also charged alot of money. In fact most people did not ride the last day.sorry to say it. I would also Iike to see her riding more than one horse in her video.
mdz1984 2 years ago
and what does that have to do with this video...
putahoofinit 2 years ago
I agree. How do we know it's not just a really well trained horse?
CaliforniaBlonde000 2 years ago
Hah! Doesn't work like that, sorry. Be cool if it did, though.
horseygirl37 2 years ago 2
hah yeah! haha and naturally? sure sure lol I mean it'd be nice though :)
hungryhowdy 2 years ago
I COULD WATCH THIS VIDEO ALL DAY!!!! =D
prisonbreakobsessed 2 years ago 2
omg i went to see the lippizanier stallions and they are AWESOME!! i uploaded a video of a lot of pictures i took of them if you want to watch it =]
purpledaisy94 2 years ago
is he a lippizanier
dressagebreyer9934 2 years ago
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!!!!
savvyclubgirl1975 2 years ago
So BEAUTIFUL!! Amazing how the horse collect it self so perfect :D
elisekjo 2 years ago
I would love to attend one of your clinics, I am working on my level three in Parelli and absolutely love the relationship it creates between horse and rider as so aptly shown in your video!! Yea!!
Horselvr1958 2 years ago
that is amazing!!! I hope my filly and I are able to do this one day!!! You've inspired me :)
Gizimomo86 2 years ago
Amazing! Please come to Montana!
sandyelmore490 2 years ago
Agreed!
morwenna 2 years ago
For all the bit, saddle, whip and spur hates out there! Look at this rider! Shes riding both bareback and fully geared, and the horse is having a great time! so yeah (:
crazyimagination 2 years ago
LOOOOVE YOUR VIDEO!!!
UNIFLIC 2 years ago
wow amazing!
How on earth do u get the horses head so low?
I've heard many teqniques but none that work effectively for me.
Anywyas let me know!
Great Video. Great Rider. Great horse.
vigneault67 3 years ago
I love your videos! I am working on my Parelli level 3 right now and I really want to take one of your clinics sometime soon. What you do is so amazing!!!
AustinDev 3 years ago
It's so beauty and amazing!! I like it!!!
Cpinnetje 3 years ago
The difference between working under saddle and totally free is amazing!!Beautiful!And the music fits the video so much!Can someone please tell me the title of this song?Thank you!:)
Liaram66 3 years ago
Wow!!!
EmmaArr12 3 years ago
He doesn't know for 100% how to collect himself efficiently with you on the back. Teach him it will be VERY useful, and less harmful to his back..
fleur4198 3 years ago
god sake she is doing it flippen bareback stop tryna be a smart arse.
BabGurlMariax 2 years ago
I'm pretty sure canter pirrouettes with no bridle count as efficient collection
waronmars 2 years ago
Yes, because in this element horse neeeds neck to action to put weight on hind part to release front legs for action. But riding without collection(which supposes first of all neck to be rounded to hold rider's weight better) at all is extremely harmful from inside.....
fleur4198 2 years ago
Amazing bond and amazing rider, and definately an amazing horse. Just on top of all the positive things there could possibly be to add, what impressed me most was the horse's self carriage. Anyone who claims a dressage rider 'cranks' the horse's head into an unnatural position needs to watch this video. Thanks so much :)
TwistedTemptress 3 years ago
Very nice :)
deivilena 3 years ago
This is great . I love Karen xD
HeraPokusaHorseLover 3 years ago
wow!
Migotqa94 3 years ago
Thats amazing
tawn015 3 years ago
Hey to you!
I'm from Germany and I have to tell you, this is amazing! I read about you in a Magazine and the first time I saw your Monty, I thought "Wow, he's happy!".
The Problems we have over here is that people who call themselves "riders" think they have to punish their horse to get where they want to. In my opinion it is a unbelievable feeling if your horse allows you to erm... let's say "talk" to you and trusts in whatever you do.
I absolutely love this video!
JulieJules210 3 years ago 6
that was nice :)
luv4cascy 3 years ago
nice!
vue2312 3 years ago
That is amazing! The trainer looks like she has a fantastic bond with her horse.
Horseloverdressage 3 years ago
Wow that is outstanding!
Cowgirl331 3 years ago
wow, simply beautiful :)
bullerina 3 years ago
this is an lipizzan horse?? :)
Selvatica87 3 years ago
very cool!
dressagegal 3 years ago
Wow!!!
oepner 3 years ago
I haven't watched this video in quite a while. It is still amazing and has not lost any of its utility to the world. Very Beautiful.
msityhorse2001 3 years ago
wow... unglaublich...
HuHn512 3 years ago
omg...i cant even get this with a german martingale or sidereins.....??? howw do you doo thiss
KillerQueenRalphe 3 years ago 4
With the tack on the horse is hollow and occasionally lacks impulsion, but without tack it's wonderful.. non the less, it's fantastic
alainurr 3 years ago
Hmmm...how interesting...
hrsegirl 2 years ago
Oh I wish I could do that to!
Such harmony is truly desirable!
thaliannavS 3 years ago 3
wow...lei e il cavallo...una cosa sola!!!O.O
mariamarilu 3 years ago
Thankyou,
Thrillingly beautiful
FR0STYF0X 3 years ago
Truly in harmony, what a beautiful piece of artwork to watch!! Congratulations!!!
tracee62 3 years ago
omg our 4 month old foal does natural dresage too
TWiTCHYx3 3 years ago
Man I wish I could keep my horse collected like that X.X We have a hard time in our halter XD
BlazingAva 3 years ago
Sign me up. Speechless.........
whiteoakfarm 3 years ago 3
woow awsome!!!!!!!!!
1XxSusanxX1 3 years ago
Awesome! I've only ridden bareback and bridleless once, and I had to ride with my carrot stick, lol.
CrescentFairy 3 years ago
Hi, Not sure if anyone can help me but i am after a pair of the D,N reins. I tried to purchase them on the website but i think it is still under construction and it wouldn't let me go past the checkout part. I am from Australia, is there any other way i can purchase the reins?. Thanks,
Emily
savvygirl19 3 years ago
WOW! I am a young rider and I have been riding for about 9 years. I have always wanted to ride like that and be able to do everything that I do with a saddle but bareback. I think it was amazing seeing what you can do with your horse and it demonstrates a real partnership. Also I think that your horse was very relaxed and happy without a saddle.
abc1239872 3 years ago
What is Monty's Horsenality?
SavvyShowgirl 3 years ago
Beautifull & thanks for sharing this video. I was at your clinic last week and you're a wonderfull teacher!!! The simulation games especially where an eye opener. I rode my horse yesterday and I we both noticed the differences, as a result of those simulations. Wow! Thanks !!!
Hope to see you again next year. Kind regards, Els & Amigo (Nl)
ezanden 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing! :-)
JerkGal 3 years ago
mental/emotional health of my horses is a priority
certain clues: ears, tail, displaced behaviors
but cannot be taken in isolation: what is the expression on the face of the human runner as he is doing the race? Perhaps not a general 'happy smile' although the athlete would rather be in that moment than anywhere else!
ears forward could mean desperation, ears back could mean focus
at liberty and bridleless he has a big opportunity to leave if he does not like it. i am happy he chooses to stay!
kssage 3 years ago
i didnt mean to offend anyone by saying the horse looked unhappy, believe me i love my horse so much and i am all for doing things naturally, but it is my opinion and i am staying by that. sorry if i have offended you, im not against the video, what the rider is getting the horse to do is amazing, but its my opinion.
horses4life14 3 years ago
Great vid! Personally I think the comments about the horse being unhappy are a little unfounded due to the fact that it would have been way too easy to dislodge his rider to rid himself of the "unhappiness" lol! Sometimes the ears back position can mean he is finding the work challenging (and also listening to the rider as said before) but he had every opportunity to say "no" and chose not to- what fantastic two-way communication!
irishcobfan 3 years ago
Beautiful, beautiful... What team work, I love it!!!!
edystargarcia 3 years ago
Wonderful! I love this!
charcoalangel 3 years ago
WOW! Beautiful team work!!
I agree..
The way it should be ;)
4AcesFarm 3 years ago
I agree with others. This horse is not unhappy, he's concentrating. To offer those sort of movements without a bridle means this horse is in tune with his rider. This is dressage in it's purest form! No need for keeping the horse "on the bit" with hard hands and unnatural training aids. He offers it!
CounterCanter888 3 years ago 2
how did you get to that level?
kyosinmyheart 3 years ago
it is very neat, and very clever,its just he has his ears back at the beginning when she is riding him, he just looks upset, but it is gr8 vid though!!
horses4life14 3 years ago
The horse has his ears back NOT because he is upset, but because he is listening to his rider and focusing on what he's being asked.
JessKnob 3 years ago 3
Wow thats pretty damn cool - I am so impressed!!! Idont think the horse is unhappy - if it was it would not do it,,,,,, I think it is just focussing and coming to terms with what is being asked
so neat :D
nala135 3 years ago
looks good but the horse doesnt look very happy at the begining as he has his ears back.
horses4life14 3 years ago
Just gorgeous. I'm in awe!
ridergirl952 3 years ago
Fabulous! The way it should be!
TerryLittleNY 3 years ago
Riding as it should be! You are good! :-)
Lovelyhorses 3 years ago
I had a smile on my face the whole time I was watching this video :)
Beautiful!
dressage226 3 years ago
You're incredible! I'm so jealous! Great job, you've got a wonderful relationship with your horse.
albicat13 4 years ago
Ahh, the joy of a horse that's doing the job he was bred for!
Happy horse.
Lovely.
jembonita 4 years ago
I just wanted to say that your lippizan is absolutely beautiful! I love the video. It's too bad that there are still so many people who don't see it and want that with their horse. You have done a phenomenal job. The best of fortune to you and yours! ^^-- @@)||\ || |||\ "
msityhorse2001 4 years ago
Beautiful!!!
mrsmph 4 years ago
I watch it again and again! Karen, when do we get to see more on you tube?!!! Oh, well- I need to remember the book/video are on their way.
err, thanks for the leson in patience!
savvydanee 4 years ago