Yes that is interesting. I must say it is something that similar insight has only really come to me once I passed the age of 40… My current issue is wondering how to talk to about it to the folks I deal with who are in their 20s.
That’s great! I just took in a Rocky Mountain Horse who has certain reactions to weird things, and I have only the last 2 years of his history (he’s 10). I’m slowly unlocking bit by bit as I handle him. I have all the time in the world to earn his trust and build a relationship, so I am taking the relationship path, not the skills path, with him. This will be my first time using Schiller’s methods, I have a large background with lots of tools from a lot of different toolboxes, but I thought it would be neat to try something different this time around and see how it works. Glad to hear you are making progress!
That’s fabulous WLW!
I have all the time that is needed as well. To me, the relationship is what having horses is all about. Plus having two horses, my other TB Louie is 30 and a half (counting half-years now) kind of limits my time to care for both of them daily after work. The time is going to change soon in California and Vinnie use to be much more reactive in the dark. It will be interesting to see if the relationship we’re building stays as strong when it’s dark outside. I’m sure hoping it does!!!
I have used a lot of his methods, and the relaxation focused stuff has made a huge improvement in my horse’s behavior and in his interactions with me. It’s probably what is keeping him off the ceiling now that he’s been mildly lame and out of work for several weeks. Teaching him how to get out of the sympathetic nervous state was key. But what really helped a lot was being mindful working on passive leadership vs active leadership. My horse hates being nagged and micro managed. But he is also pushy and needs clear boundaries. Finding the balance and getting to where both of us can just take a breath has been very helpful in working through some issues.
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I’ve been watching Warwick Schiller this past year. One of his videos was regarding a Palomino that would bite and also mouth the lead rope, etc. We had a 3-4 yr. old stud pony (now gelding) come in that was totally allowed to do what he wanted however he wanted to do it. Wasn’t even halter broke and leading him…stuff of America’s Funniest Home Videos. Sigh. He was also a biter. Biter, not nipper. I tried Schiller’s method of allowing him to smell my hands, rubbing his mouth, nose, chin, etc. when I handled him. Worked like a charm! In 2 days…he quit biting!! Kinda blew me away.
I’m also a fan of Chris Cox.
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I’ve been following Warwick for over 6 years now, I am lucky to have been able to meet and hang out with him post-clinic twice now, and personally thank him for helping my little mare (who would not be the fantastic little thing she is without accidentally stumbling across him years ago and falling in love with his no non-sense training philosophies).
I truly admire how open he is to continuing his learning, the relationship and focus work was super ‘that way’ for a bit there, and he has just recently been bringing it back around to his former techniques and merging the two. I just love the guy.
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I found Warwick some 4 years ago after adopting a horse who’d been severely mentally and physically abused. She would charge at me in the pasture and had anxiety being handled or ridden. I look back and wish I’d given her time and not been trying to ride her at that time but we make mistakes don’t we?
Saw him in person at Equine Affaire and wanted advice regarding her and he blew me away. He said to just go sit in the pasture, day after day, and just be with her. Expect nothing. And sure, enough after a few weeks, it started having a positive affect and she started connecting to me.
Then I had a CRAZY moment with her when I was out riding her bareback in just a halter - just walking - out in her pasture with two other horses. We were at the farthest point away from the barn and near the other two horses and
THEY TOOK OFF AT A GALLOP FOR THE BARN and do you know she stayed with me and didn’t even try to take off.
After a minute I got off her and as a reward took off her halter so she could run off with her buddies. She didn’t. She stayed with me and started grazing. In my 40 years of having horses I knew we were having a special moment and I really thank Warwick for his advice. Since then, my relationship with her has only improved and it’s been very rewarding.
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It’s not a mistake, it’s an event that causes you to rethink how you are handling your horse. You need this to happen so you can make changes in the way you are interacting with your horse. It’s a good thing.
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You are absolutely right.
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Yup, I really like him. I’m glad that there are so many videos showing his progression in training.
if I’d only seen his latest Zen-type approach, it would be oft putting, not knowing that he went through many stages to get there.
what I’m appreciating now, is his taking in everything and looking at it.
The video of “training your horse like a 10 year old girl” is an example of that. Not a flashy video, just an example of seeing something and not dismissing it but looking at it.
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Thanks for referencing this video. Here’s the link; it’s great to watch:
Oh man this got me all misty eyed. I agree wholeheartedly, and I too, always think of what better I could have done for horses in my past… but at least I opened my eyes when I did, and I can move forward with what I know now.
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