So true, mutual respect is key. Not to mention when trail riding, horse's senses are so much keener than ours... Sometimes I think my mare might, at some point, save ME from something dangerous that I wasn't even aware of! Never hurts to let her "take a moment"

Common sense, something many horse owners are lacking. Give the horse time to process whatever they are focused on, then proceed.

There's human time. And there's horse time. They are not the same! Thanks for respecting your horse. I love the sharing of senses with them - two lots of ears and eyes. I sometimes cup my hand on their ears so they can hear more. The look of surprise is so worth it. Instant super power!

Ha! Just yesterday I was bringing in my mustangs and some snowmobiles road by. They both stopped, had flared nostrils, heads high, eyes big, ears forward and frozen for about 15 seconds. I stopped and watched them until they relaxed, then we proceed going. No panics, bolts, or blow-ups. Love, love, love their communication and their trust that I’m not going to put them in a dangerous situation.

@SocialShires

4 ай бұрын

mine was walking beside me but getting to the road she was a lil more forward than usual and blocking my view on one side. Her back is taller than me, so the relaxed head is a wall. I was to cross the street but she curled her neck my way and stopped and wouldnt move. I bumped into her head and stopped. She saw a car 50 meters away on the side of the road I couldnt see. That mare hated everyone til I showed up and weird as that may be she took me under her wing and I took her under mine. We have the strangest thing where I can tell her to take control even if im on her back. I can be a passenger and lay down. Once Im ready or shes going where I dont want, I simply take back control and she listens. She learned bareback, no halter basically on her own and never had anyone on her back before me. Its the coolest thing Ive ever done with a horse. As close to telepathy as you ll ever get.

I do this too! Just see what they’re looking at and give them a moment until they figure out what it is, then they usually see it’s no big deal and move on calmly.

Thank you! 👏👏👏Asking a horse to follow you is an agreement that should always have room for an objection. It’s only a partnership if both are listening. 💜

Very interesting ! My horse loves to stop and look and I have always felt like I should let him stop and look around but my trainers are always telling me to keep him moving. I will give this a go and see how he responds . Very good timing with this video !

If more people would learn to read their horses and their dogs there would be a lot more happy and well adjusted horses and dogs.

I’m a bit sceptical of this advice. When my horse gets hyperfixated, I’m a few seconds from a bolt. I prefer asking for lateral flexion, gentle rein bumps to get it if required, then moving the feet. Make the wrong thing difficult, and the right thing easy.

@SocialShires

4 ай бұрын

"Make the wrong thing difficult, and the right thing easy" if thats the only way you deal with the horse, it may sees you as a leader , but also as a bully. Would you be friend with someone who exclusively asks you to do things? Mutual help is the way of the herd. I thought the heart-bond was bullshit. Its not. Horse understanding you is low level old school. When the horse understand that you understand it , that`s were the horse starts shinning. Lots of method for that. But simply put, you have to understand them or they will not bond and potentially just see you as a bully. They ll do what you want, but when shit hits the fan, they wont rely on you for advices, they ll bolt out of there !

@lisazappolo9989

4 ай бұрын

It depends upon your horse and their personality. Just like with people, some are prone to hysterics and some think things through. You have to evaluate their reaction. As the leader you look and evaluate what they are reacting to and determine if it is a threat. Curiosity is very different than fear. Some horses see monsters everywhere and need a leader to distract them. No bullying involved.

@irishphilly

4 ай бұрын

Depends on horse & situation, but first--on me. Am I paying attention? Horses are wired to be aware as survival--a pretty good incentive, really--for us both. On their back? I partner.w them. I want aware. At home, groundwork. I never think we've 'arrived', I review groundwork basics & see what's up. Just like me, things shift. I schedule 'play' & 'walks' separate from pen or riding.

@draciborska

Ай бұрын

If I feel the horse may bolt, or make another decision independent of me, I will suggest something they should direct their attention to. Like, “oh, look over there, that trail or that way is more interesting, let’s just go there.” If the horse won’t take the suggestion and just bolt, I would think that horse is not ready to be ridden.

Aussie here. Always find your videos informative. I am not a rider but love horses and watch in memory of my late dad who was a horse whisperer, master saddler and loved all animals except snakes and spiders..I'm with you, Dad on that last one. Thanks Warwick.

Bang on! I do same both at ranch as well on trail. I agree with the benefits and consider it professional and personal courtesy to horse. Gets paid back.

Hyperfixation is the main problem for me & my horse. Thank you for this video, I'll keep this in mind. I always give her some time to watch whatever she's fixated on, but after a minute or two I say "come on" so I can get her back to me. Otherwise she will stare at it forever and sometimes she tenses up because of what she is looking at. Makes walking down the street an impossible job! Also when riding in the outdoor arena, she gets hyperfixated on every biker or runner passing by. So I ask her to do an exercise, I do not want her to look at every moving thing. Truly a horse that keeps her surroundings in check. But it can get quite annoying sometimes...

This got me into trouble more than once. Letting your horse decide when to stop and stay fixated is basically telling the horse „you have a better idea about dangers, so you please lead me. I‘m waiting for you to tell me we can keep moving“ rather than working on confidence in your decisions as a leader. Whenever my horse is fixated I keep him moving, that‘s me telling him „trust me, there‘s nothing that‘s going to harm you if you keep following me“. Over time the horse learns that he‘s doesn‘t have to be concerned about anything if he just follows you. His leader, his human has always led him to safety, so he can rely on him. The snake in the car analogy doesn‘t really work as it is a valid reason for the person to be fixated and he might get bitten. So of course you validate that person‘s fear and saying „yes, there is a snake between your legs. It might kill you.“ Is that a statement you should communicate to your horse? Think about it: horses in the wild won‘t stop and stay fixated for very long if their herd leader keeps moving. They‘ll quickly catch up.

@kidstuff44555

4 ай бұрын

I agree with you. I do love Warwick and a few other horse youtubers, but I don't do everything they say. I like to take on board a lot of advice from different trainers, and apply what WORKS for me and my horses. This advice doesn't work for me. It would be dangerous to allow my very "looky" horse to stop and look at everything he wants to. In the paddock, he will stare fixedly, then whirl and run away. That's his instinct. So when he's with me, in hand or riding, we keep moving, don't allow the fixation, because the next thing that will happen is that very fast whirl around and bolt. I prefer to distract him from the scary stuff by keeping him busy, so he doesn't have enough time to worry about every little thing, and then he will relax.

@lisazappolo9989

4 ай бұрын

​@@kidstuff44555Hey! Just wanted to let you know I always enjoy your comments. Know YOUR horse and what their personality and typical reaction is. There is no one size shoe here.

@kidstuff44555

4 ай бұрын

@@lisazappolo9989 Thanks :) So true, different things work for different horses. Warwick would no doubt agree

I remembered this video today when my horse froze up on the trail. He was really worried about a spot we needed to ride through. I let him look and waited. I combined this with keeping him busy if he went the other way and getting really quiet when he got up close to the tight spot. Then after just a few minutes he just let go and decided to walk through. So cool, and safe too.

All about working with the current nervous system in front of you. Woks on humans, too! Thank you for addressing this

I haven’t seen Warwick Schiller in couple of years and I was shock how he age and change his appearance

Thank you for this video. I literally had this happen with my horse yesterday!

We have coyotes and mountain lions around the ranch property where we board. I know that my horse can smell and hear things better than I can, and when he alerts, I pay attention. I also give him time to adjust his vision when going into or out of the barn. Partners look out for and appreciate one another. ❤🦄❤️

Loved the in the saddle shots!!!

But what if u r waiting with him- but he takes it to the next level? Backing , spinning ect… What is your next move ?

@linette8318

4 ай бұрын

Exactly! And what if you are riding a strange horse and you have no idea how they may react. I say let them have a look and move on.

When I go outside I stop,immediately after closing the door behind me. I want to know if there’s bear or whatever around. And I dont have a horse. So I just listen and watch a few seconds to know what’s going on.

This was key for me. Thank you! I will do this tomorrow when I take my baby Shire out and she gets high headed on the way to the arena.

I have learned so much from you and your horses in the last years Warwick. Big thank you from Argentina.

Yes, good advice 👍

staring, staring, staring oh wait grass! over it , moving on ....

My OTTB has a past with freeze behaviour. Over the years, he is much, much better but there are incidents when the freeze turns to explosive bolt. I can read and measure his threshhold and have a good sense of whether or not he self-regulate, can lick-chew, flick an ear, blink his way through and process and when (which is much more rare now) a bolt is coming. Unexpected objects showing up on the trail (a pack of unibikes) was way over threshhold for him recently, heart-rate and the adrenaline pumping. I get off and walk him at this point. Takes about 15 to 20 minutes for the adrenaline to ramp down and clear, then I can get back on and move forward with better regulation, confidence and security.

I think this is an example of horse behaviour that can be scary for the rider, esp if you've ever had the stop and stare, pounding heart you can feel through the ribcage, and then the spin and bolt happen to you. I know I've been guilty of trying to distract my horse from staring at things because I'm anticipating a spook but it helps to realise that distraction in that case is not necessarily going to prevent a spook. If he can work out on his own that its not scary, and I caj allow him to do so, it builds trust, and then he will be less likely to spook because he won't go into self preservation mode, he'll see that I'm not worried and follow my lead.

Interesting range of Comments. I do both. Who I'm riding matters. 'Fixation' can be aware attention or trail neuroses, but 'leader' means be prepared to respect & respond. Before we leave barn, I correct my own awareness. I sort things out before I go---including (or maybe especially) me. I used to drive city buses--60' steel, 55 passengers. Great driving teacher drilled in us: There is no past, no future--at the wheel, you're at the wheel. Every passenger stop is a new moment. Every intersection, same. Stay alive: be alert & respond, not react.

Thank you for continuing to teach relationship with our Horses . I believe you are spot on , . Laura 💜Bear 🐴💜

Thanks for another great video!

My 3/4 Arab and 1/4 Quarter horse, three years old, stopped suddenly staring at a mailbox on a post along the road. I guess it looked like a head. I let him stand there for a few seconds. He flexed his neck and looked back at me, like for assurance. I told him it's okay, let's go and he did. Another time were passing under a hillside with oak branches overhead. We do have Mountain Lions here. He halted and snorted. We crossed to the other side, but he was on full alert. Yet, I freaked out when a Tarantula was crossing our path. With my fingers crossed, we kept going straight and he just stepped over it like it wasn't even there.

Love this!

Great vid, thank you!

Listening to your horse is a good idea. I was once caught in an abondoned quarry not knowing which way to go after i heard a gun shot. I was as frozen as my horse was. A few seconds later, a deer flew past us. But my horse just took off in a different direction. I just hung on and was thankful he knew which way to flee.

A very good video. My horse, Justice spooked at a cabin he's never seen before. I just let him get the spookiness out. I talked to Justice to calm him down even though he was fixated. Eventually Justice settled down. He realized the cabin wasn't as spooky as he thought it was. I just let Justice move on his own. Once we started off l told Justice that he did very well and gave him a big pat on his neck. We had passed that cabin many times and Justice never gave it a thought. That one particular day Justice just spooked. I didn't see anything that would make Justice spook. After that, every day we'd go out and nothing bothered Justice ever again.

a really pretty horse!

Brilliant, so few get this...

His lips are loose, so no 'snake' panic. A good looking mare perhaps

And here I thought I needed to direct his attentions back to me and what we were doing. Definitely need to try this instead.

@WarwickSchiller

4 ай бұрын

It really depends on whether redirecting their attention back to you will make it better or worse. If you werea little distracted and your friend redirected your attention back it you may be good with it, but if you were peering into some bushes because you thought you saw the world's deadliest snake, you may not be interupptable.

@1sacoyle

4 ай бұрын

Yep, makes sense. I've had this guy for almost 4 yrs. now. He's very insecure and on high alert (ready to bolt) when one of the neighbors appear in their yard near the paddock or someone comes to the gate. Today I watched for the quiver of the lower lips and it was there. I have my suspicion concerning past treatment from previous owner. He also spent a month with the Amish teaching him to drive. Need I say more. I have never punished, yet I'm firm but patient with him. Thank you for bring your discoveries to our attention.

this vibes with me. i hate the "horse should obey everything i command" approach that many people have.

I never get how people ignore a horse that is staring at something. If you're with other people and you're chatting and someone hears or sees something and starts looking over there, EVERYONE in the group usually checks the exact same spot and looks over there as well. So why ignore your horse?

if you are so busy you cannot spare a few seconds for your horse's benefit..............yeah

If my horse stops in the field and fixes his attention on something, I do it too. Then when I snort and relax, it is ready to listen to me again without me having to wait until it is ready on its own. How do you see it?

Thanks Warwick, whats your advice if they are fixated looking at an object moving towards them when riding? - like a tractor or truck or animal ?

What if they are snorting. I have mules and snorting is a big thing.even if we just get past the thing.....they will continue to throw out a few more snorts as we go. Haaaa. I don't want to wait for the snorting to stop.😂

I am doing this, it works 99% of the time. It works always close to the barn. The 1% is my issue when my mustang mare decides it is too dangerous. This only happens lead walking alone. I am currently exposing her calmly to a lot of different situations, but the question is what to do when she fights and the runs home? She will fight!

@WarwickSchiller

4 ай бұрын

Then you have gone too far, OR you have gone too far without the prior preparation needed.

If they do that while lunging i’m gessing you would act the same way?

How does one go about letting them look and stay relaxed next to them, like you are doing here, when a horse starts to become so stressed out, about what they are seeing, that the start rearing (both on the ground or in the saddle) and start turning in circles around. When they truly no longer even recognize you being there.

@WarwickSchiller

4 ай бұрын

It sounds like this has happened often with the horse you are referring to. This means they have given you valuable information about their mental state, and still you keep putting them in situations that are too much for them to handle. The key is to pay attention to the information they give you, and plan accordingly.

@christaseiler8525

4 ай бұрын

I have been doing ground work for a very long time and there are days where all situations are alright and his mental state is calm and we are connected, then out of this equilibrium he spooks at something. I try to take all situations that are frightening away from him and try to pay close attention to his state of body and mind. It can even be in the stables when I carry a bag of hay around. Would so much like to help him fully trust

Hello, could i ask, what if they start to escalate and try to run instead of reacting as your horse did? Thanks

Yep I have done this all my life and I have never had a problem to let them stop and think about it. I rode with someone that would not let there horse have a moment and she has no relationship with her horse and always has “problems”. Let them stop and look. I promise they are not going to turn around and bolt.

@EllaElers

2 ай бұрын

But it really depends. I bought a gelding a year ago and my instinct has always told me to let him have a look, but he is not getting any better for it - on the contrary, with me he stops constantly, spins around and some days will not leave home at all. My friend, who makes him work hard the whole trail ride and has no patience for random stopping can ride him anywhere. She lets him stop and have a look once, but after that it’s legs and whip if he even considers not doing what she asks. And he is perfect with those kinds of riders but complete ass with anyone who lets him have a single thought of his own.

Question. My mare will freeze, look at the scary thing and then she will calm down OR explode, when I follow-up Warwicks instructions.This is only on trails, not in the arena. What to do when she is about to explode? My other mare does the same and often suddenly explosion, also in the arena with groundwok. Both are extrovert right brainers. I have no issues with my 2 left extravert brainers. I have got 4 horses in total. I do a lot of horsemanship and try to read my horses. Has anyone advice?

Sorry Warwick but I disagree. You are usually right on the money but this is going to get someone hurt. By staring at the object you are reaffirming to the horse that it may be something dangerous. If they are thinking this they are about ready to blow up. You should be the leader of the herd, not just another frightened member of the herd. You should glance at the object to see what it is then distract your horses attention to something positive. I think you know this.

@hoofhearted3035

Ай бұрын

Warwick, you used to teach that if a horse gets fixated you should allow it for a few seconds, but then you need to "empty their worry cup" by bending them to get their attention on you, and release only when they exhibit a change toward relaxation. That change might be as little as an ear turned back toward you but is really horse specific.

@Safe_and_Easy_Horsemanship

Ай бұрын

@@hoofhearted3035 This is one place I disagree with him. His way works sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. I've been doing this for many years on ranches and in arenas and I've seen far too many people get hurt from this very thing. Horses reason slow and react fast. As the leader you have to help them reason.

@hoofhearted3035

Ай бұрын

@Safe_and_Easy_Horsemanship Warwick's methods are excellent, but we have to keep in mind that horses are individuals and cannot be handled with cookie cutter methods. We have to read each horse for personality, mood, environmental inputs (like stormy weather), etc. Likewise, our kids are individuals and can not be raised identically. I really appreciate Warwick's journey... I've seen several changes in his philosophy and approach. We keep learning from the horses; they don't know our veebal language, so we have to learn their non- verbal language.

@Safe_and_Easy_Horsemanship

Ай бұрын

@@hoofhearted3035 You are exactly right. They are all different and communicating with them is like communicating with your small child. You love them but you need to be their leader at the same time. I tried to show that in my video. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y4l-z7qHms_Kfqg.html