Monty Roberts is often called ‘The Horse Whisperer’, but Warwick has taken Roberts’ philosophy to another level of master horsemanship. Warwick is ‘The Horse Listener’, a genuine horse psychologist. Absolutely wonderful stuff. I love it.

Not answering negative energy with punishment is so nice. Also ulcers are a huuuuge factor in this in most cases. thanks for mentioning 😊

Love it! My mare does the same, and I instinctively used this approach. I also say it out loud to her: "I heard you girl, it's okay, I understand what you're trying to say." And her reaction immediately softens. Horses are so sensitive and energy-minded. Their emotional intelligence and ability to feel intent keeps amazing me every day and reaches so much further than we can imagine.

I moved from working with horses to dairy goats a while back, and I still get so much out of these videos. I bought a doe that REALLY didn't want me touching her. Goats are adversarial animals, most people say "just fight the fight and make sure you win." But I've been watching you for a few years, and it seemed like your methods could work better. So I feed her on the stand, but don't lock her in. If she eats, I milk. If she stops, I stop. It was tedious at first, she'd try to put her foot in the bucket and threaten to headbutt me a lot. But it's been 2 months and a bit, and I rarely even get side-eyed anymore. Yesterday, she actually requested affection (which was freaking magical). I'd be crying over a lot more spilled milk without your training techniques. Thank you so much.

@annika93dk7

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing and nice work !

@natella1899

Жыл бұрын

Good to know this method works with goats! My landlord has a couple of goats I want to make friends with :D

I totally agree with your approach. Connection is a two way street, and both parties have to listen to each other, not just having one party doing all the talking and insisting on getting their way.. That's the definition of a toxic relationship... I always release as soon as the horse tells me that they heard the aid, whether it was the result I wanted or not. I can insist or restate my request a different way or completely change what I'm asking for, as appropriate, given the horse's response. Much happier horse that also learns faster.

They are trying to figure out who they’re dealing with…what a great quote

I'm so glad that the training world is coming around to the idea of consent from our learners!

I really appreciate this approach. I'm really grateful compassionate horsemanship is becoming more well known!

A magnesium deficiency can cause horses to be very sensitive. That was the case with my mare I just purchased two months ago. But she still has association with pain. I have been applying this method for the last two months since Warwick talks about it in his other videos and it totally works. She was never heard and since I been listening to her we have really connected. Relaxation has been the key.

@questioneverything9535

Жыл бұрын

Did you add a supplement for her magnesium deficiency?

@kathleenkayk

Жыл бұрын

Also B12 deficiency. B1 deficiency. I have given probiotics for 5 months and has made a real difference .

You are truly going to give Horses and their Owners a better life together. Keep sharing how important having an understanding to what your Horse is needing. Not just correct. I love your engagement with a mouthy horse . Usually No one will suggest this method . But it is the right thing to do. We have a very mouthy Colt . Your teaching to rub and engage back , feels right . We have never hit Bear . Thank you so much 😇 Laura 💜 Bear . p.s. when do you come back to Sacramento ? 🙏🇺🇸

I’ve got an ear-pinny bite-y boy, and I’m trying all sorts of techniques and approaches. Thanks for talking about this!

Love how you are always learning. Thank you for passing it on. Great video. Great thought process.

My mare has been doing this a lot this year, and I have sort of been doing this, just stopping and letting her chose if she wants to be brushed (she’s not ridden so she has the option to be a dirty mud monster), but I have been getting a bit of flack from people when I say my mare didn’t want to be brushed today, so I have been feeling I should make her let me brush her. This video has given me the confidence to keep letting her have an opinion, but it’s given me a method I can follow instead of just my thoughts that I wanted to let her have an opinion. I will go read that article now and implement these strategies.

Thanks Warwick, I had already stumbled on doing girths from the ‘wrong’ side with my mare, she was off the track with ulcers when I first got her so approaching her many quirks I realised I had to think outside the box and from her point of view to gain her trust. Now people comment to me about quirky/poor behaviours in their horses and I might make a suggestion and get look of horror, they are so stuck in tradition, how can it be right to carry on girthing from the near side just because it’s how it always been done, but these attitudes are stuck in everything about horses. Thank god there are voices out there making a change, for me your message is making the most sense.

@louisegogel7973

2 жыл бұрын

You plant the seeds of new ways… paradigm shifts will come, keep being open to how the people will see them, maybe in the same vein as you and Warwick are doing with the horses…? Instead of resisting and scolding or judging their stuck thinking and beliefs, we could be helping them release them?

@zoebosman8561

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly, like mounting, mount from the other side, dismount from the other side

@lesleyking2815

2 жыл бұрын

Yep I’ve suggested that before and been looked at a as though I’m mad 🥹

Nice! Sounds like this would work with my six-year-old mare who is "touchy" about me picking up her feet.

Thank you so much for referring to the blog article. I read it two times to wrap my head around it and I am sure I will get back to it again. I am thrilled to watch you and your philosophy evolve, go deeper and deeper, also deeper into scientific explanations. Your work and your way of speaking about all of this is eye opening to me. Life changing is maybe a more exact term. And not only the horse part of my life. You are a real blessing and heart opener for horse people like me and you are a great ambassador of consciousness in the world. Thank you deeply and may you, your family and your horses be blessed.

You made some really interesting comments. I wonder if horses can suffer from Tension Myositis Syndrome like humans do. It's a condition where chronic pain develops in the body. Though there are no structural abnormalities, the pain persists as it is caused by emotion and repressed rage. I recommend reading the Mindbody Prescription by Dr. Sarno. According to him, ulcers are developed by stress as well.

@mm25937

2 жыл бұрын

Úlcers are very common and unnoticed very often. And also if they have air in their guts. That tensions the skin and can cause a hell of a pain - or its memory...

I had to learn to listen to my EPM horse's needs. I have to say I enjoyed our walks more than pushy training. He was able to compensate and stay healthier because our connection. They like having a say in their life.

Years ago now, I had exactly this sort of experience with an Arabian mare and, half intuitively and half from getting started with people like you, Warrick, and others, I had great results! Not only with brushing but with our whole relationship. From that moment on she was completely different with me. She had never been aggressive, just "ok, pony ride time with another stranger" in attitude. After that she actively engaged with me and we ended up becoming good friends. She even twice deliberately put her head into my hands and just breathed with me, something her life long owner had never seen her do with anyone. Warwick, it's people like you who have made my childhood dreams of a better way of interacting with all animals, including other humans, than the basic stuff I was taught. I didn't know why some of those relationships were better than others- but now I can see why they were better, and do better now. Thank you!

Interesting, after being forwarded this video through your email, about letting a horse say no. It's resonating a little differently, when I approach and retreat I retreat too far away and then come back, and repeat and I think that, just creates the anxiety to start all over again. If I stay in position and stop whatever I'm doing, then attempt again after 30 45 seconds, I bet I'll have a different answer. Thank you for continuously putting this video out there

Thank you for another great video on the u tube. I have just replaced my horse that had to be put down with an Arabian mare that has gone from place to place. For me she is becoming a dream horse. That is because I’m taking your advice. We hang out for right now. When I would touch her she would flinch. After 1 day of hanging out and not touching she’s gotten over that. I can brush her now and her ears go forward with head down and relaxed. She’s got the bloodlines and has had all the show training. You can just know that by leading her. In there is a wonderful horse. She’s smart and kind. Was terrified when she got here. Maybe in a couple of days we’ll try a bath. I can fly spray her pick up her feet and brush. When she sees me in the pasture she comes running to me now. Thank you for what you do. Your lessons thru the website are the best $$ I’ve ever spent on horse stuff!!

Just bonding and constant work and spending time really helped him

Wow, perfect timing, seeing this just now! I've been practicing being still amd present with really exciting responses from him. Then today I went to brush him and he did exactly this. I was unsure if I should scold him or just 'see' his reaction. I did a bit of both, but tbh it felt wrong in the face of what I'd been doing. This video has answered my dilemma perfectly. Thank you so much!

Have this with a shetlander that came to stay with us, biting, headshaking, protest when brushing and braiding. We got his teeth looked after, did some groundwork with him after that and he’s Starting to soften up on us :)

My horse was like this. After bloodwork my vet gave vitamin e and selenium injections and then he LOVED being groomed.

I had an ancient irascible red mare who'd been mistreated. She always had to tell me how she felt. I didn't react. I let her mouth me, express herself, and she relaxed. It took a while to build trust bit in the end, she really blosdomed.

Appreciate the timely email linking to this video. Exactly what I needed to see/hear/think about with a troubled gelding I've been working on getting through to.

This is such a timely video for me. I'm just entering Week 2 with my new near-yearling filly, and been so far working gently on just getting used to each other and her new home. She's been such a laid-back trooper with everything I've had the audacity to ask of her so far, so much change for her in a short time. But yesterday I got the very first pinned-ear head-toss "stink eye" from her since we met a week and a half ago, over trying to brush her shoulder, nearly identical to the mare in your demonstration. I've been watching your videos for a long time, especially your "Creating Connection" related content, but between this and the Equusoma article I've had a bit of a cognitive breakthrough myself here on the subtle difference between CAT-H and more traditional pressure/release (where I've more or less "lived" in my horsemanship approach with my previous older horses for years) and this more relational recognize and release at the "no" sense of pressure-release. I can't wait to take this revelation with me out into the barn after work today. Thank you for sharing this... and I'll be doing a lot of reading over at that Equusoma blog. Cheers, sir!

@Raven9xx

Жыл бұрын

Hey I'm in a similar situation, had my boy a week, just turned 2 he's pretty head up , try to mouth/bite my head when I try to groom him on shoulder , I see ur comment was 11mnths ago how's ur filly now, any tips

@Ruffian1790

Жыл бұрын

@@Raven9xx Congrats on your new youngun! My filly is doing very well! For the most part, the pinned-ear more assertive stink-eye "no" is now very rare, especially with basic grooming and handling in and around the stall. She actually had a big gaping yawn of a release and then fell asleep while I was currying her yesterday evening. This stuff works, if you're consistent, take things slow, and trust the process. Best advice I can give is to take it slow. Slower than you feel like you should have to. I'd gently intercept those attempts to mouth or bite and let him engage with my open palm (WS has GREAT info on this specifically, too, I think he usually tags the content with titles like dealing with a mouthly horse) especially if you know it's coming. Without seeing him in action, it sounds like he may be looking to connect vs. giving you a "no," but definitely be safe and aware of the attitude that's underlying his behavior; if he's coming around with more of a "get out of my space I'm not comfortable" vibe than a "hey whatcha' doin'" one. A week in to your partnership, developing that base rapport is more important than the task of grooming. And a big lesson that I still have to work on myself is breathing. I catch myself holding my breath when I suspect my girl is going to have a reaction, like I'm bracing to deal with it - and 10/10 my held breath and tension telegraphs to her that a reaction is worth having. If I can keep breathing and keep mentally present, reactions are a lot less dramatic when they do happen. Good luck, and enjoy your new youngster!! :)

After working with Thoroughbreds and prepping young ones for over 20 years, I would say the idea of retreating every time a horse shows disdain for what you are teaching is a less than advantageous process. Using a pressure and release method, I can teach a TB to stand while bathed in around 10 minutes. I have found that a desensitizing, ryhthmatic approach works well and I never have to retreat and let the horse have a say in the training. I go into things with an intentional approach, and I get results without letting a horse bite me or tell me it has a personal space.

@WarwickSchiller

6 ай бұрын

And that is a perfectly valid viewpoint to have, but there are other viewpoints that work as well.

Thanks! I needed this today.

Amazing, thank you

Thank you!!

You described my mare, this was so helpful. I'm going to try it today! Thanks so much!

Super video. Thanks Warwich.

Good, thanks.

you are a good man, thank you very much 👍

Great tip! Excited to work with my horse this week on this! Thank you

Can this work on cats? I’m serious. I am going to take your advice and try. Your techniques have already worked so well on my horses over the years.

Thank you

Ha! This just started yesterday in shedding season...mare snapping the air

When I do that with my young mare she gets interested in the object I’m trying to introduce and sometimes will follow me or come over to check out what I have in my hand. Funny you mention ghost pain. I rehab a lot of personal injuries and it takes our own human bodies awhile to forget the pain even after healing is done. Connection between the brain and nerves in the area where the injury happened.

hi, makes good sense. I myself have good experience of demanding attention from the horse when I touch it. I ask it, for example, to look at me when I groom or clean its hooves. This has resulted in the tail fan being gone and the horse lifting legs without me having to use force on it.🐎🌸

Educational video, will see if my "testing" gelding wants to bite at me when I brush his side, or snoodle me. He does aim well with his tail smacking me, I end up holding it when the flys are not bad. Will try your suggestions and watch for the changes.

Intuitively I always felt that what you are saying was the right way to do things if the horse does not like something I always felt I should back off. I never understood the principle of insisting on a practice that the horse did not like until they stop reacting in order to get what we want and I ended up doing things the traditional way due to my instructor telling me that it was the right way to do it.

My horse was like that. 14 years. He was tickle use I use the garden blower he love it and baths with nosel. Mane and tail ok

Great stuff! It seems as often when a person wants to do something to a horse, any kind of negative feedback from the horse is treated as though the horse needs to be disciplined. What was offered from the horse was perhaps a chance to bond? I'll have a go at checking this out anyway.

🐴 🐴🐴

How does this work for horses that kick ?

Ahhh love it don't we all long to be heard It is so similar to your talking about observation hi how are YOU today what do YOU think feel say about this just incredible sadly though I have got much right there is ALWAYS so very much more to learn I have had more of the attitude of I am boss respect me and not enough of yes YOU can say something and how does a horse speak ... seemingly aggressively to us because we are not tuned in this mare was not aggressive but yes she spoke by biting well as if she would.... Thank you

One of the horses i ride quite often does not like when you pick his hoofs. The back hoffs are okay but when you're going to the front ones he just starts kind of kicking with them. Should I do the same as you did with the brushing thing and step back or should I just keep on trying to pick the hoofs. Why I'm asking is because when I manage to pick them he starts licking his lips and chewing which is a sign of "okay you win" kind of. Thank you for making these awsome videos :D.

Someone probley slapped a medal curry comb on him , those things are mostly junk only good for gently scrapping caked on mud off , but damage was already done on her ! Let her smell it and go easy !

😍

But what if your horse is gonne walk backwards

Hi Warwick, I'd just like to ask how "allowing the horse to say no" works with "only asking yes questions" ? I'm coming round to the idea that "only asking yes questions" really means only ask what the horse is capable of doing rather than if you ask something of your horse he must do it. Would that be a correct analysis?

@Deedlemobile

Жыл бұрын

Not Warwick, but a 3 yr subscriber, and the answer is yes. There are many examples, but the one that first came to my mind now is teaching a horse to steer (after having taught to respond to the reins). In the round pen, for instance, letting the horse go wherever, and as it comes to the fence, they are going to turn one way or the other, and you pick up on that rein the instant you determine which direction (although you move slowly in that "instant" LOL). Or in teaching the stop, to walk up perpendicular to a fence and 3 seconds before you reach it, pick up on the reins and ask for the stop. The fence itself is, of course, going to stop them. It's "yes" answer because it's what they would do anyhow! Then it becomes anticipation being your best friend, as the start to put 2 and 2 together!

What do you do when they actually bite you

@Deedlemobile

Жыл бұрын

You need to see that coming so it doesn't happen and avoid it! Sort of depends on the horse and the situation. If a horse comes AT you into your space aggressively to bite, that is a bit different than one who is expressing itself about what you are doing to IT. Also, if you DO see it coming, flatten your hand hard and keep the teeth at the top part of the palm where they can't get ahold of you (like he does in the video) and don't let them get to fingers or sides of your hand.

I don't like being masased or tickle d o touched to much either hugs are good

2 things i notice w my gelding. He swings his head around when i go to tighten the cinch (western) and he sometimes tries to nip me when i lead him. I have him on equitum which i think is helping his belly but i’m wondering if his nipping while leading is him being playful or him “testing” me to get out of any work?

@Deedlemobile

Жыл бұрын

This swinging head around when cinching is SO typical of an ulcer horse. Have him scoped!

yes, they want to know what type of person you are, if I don't punish her when she goes to nip she starts to yawn saying to me that she is releasing that she can be heard and not punished for communicating

I had a gelding like that he was so rude

I LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!! All horse people should learn from you👌🤌🔥🙏👏❤️‍🩹

Fascinating. 🐴🤎 🧡 💛 🤍 🖤 I feel as if I am uncovering new layers of understanding each time I watch your videos and the videos of Klaus Hempfling, Steve Young, and even Think Like a Horse, along with random others. Each one of you approaches with such care for the horses’ wellbeing and interactions between horse and human. Each one offers something precious and the contrasts and similarities in all these also help point the way for clearer understanding. Thank you!