Sarah N.

There are so many trick trainers who teach their horses to follow them and do brideless riding. But when I see your horses doing stuff like that there’s a special expression in their eye, one of happiness, joy, love and such a want to do stuff for you and be with you and partner up. You don’t see that in the trick trained horses’ eyes and expression. This is special. What you have with your horses is special. Thank you for showing us how it can, and should, be in your videos.

Donette Z.

This video was great for me! I am doing the Tao Horsemanship training, and this was an excellent complement to that, in that It Billy is more representative of my 6-year-old rescue TWH, Magic. He is also frightened of the whip and energy. When I got him in April this year, I could not even give him a smooch on the forehead because the sound was too much for him. Now he loves to snuggle and enjoys his smooches! Thank you, Carolyn!

Susan D.

Dear, dear Caroline, I rode way back in the 70's and 80's natural horsemanship wasn't on the radar. Very long story short; I got back into horses to teach my granddaughter. Suddenly there were all these trainers who used the round pen (which I had never used/heard of). A friend introduced me to a trainer through videos, who had responsive, impressive results with horses. I tried the method and though it worked, I wasn't happy with the over reactiveness I was getting.Recently my horse has become very spooky on the trail. While searching for more instructive videos I came across you! I have already gotten better equipment and tried your technique with my mare. It's a miracle. So now I've just watched this video showing proper round pen technique.I am so excited and happy to hear what you had to say about"running" your horse around. This is going to be the next thing I do! So completely back to basics with gentle firmness. Thank you for putting this out there for OLD riders like myself to learn some methods that can elevate our enjoyment and effectiveness through respect!!! Love it.

JL J.

Caroline, I am so happy that I found your blog Everything Horses & More and video library last night. Earlier in the afternoon I had done all the wrong things with my horse. I wanted her to stay out on the rail in her gaits, something I had never taught her. She feels more confident when she is on lead line when doing round pen work. After viewing your video, I realized that I had been too aggressive with the whip and been too much in her space. I realized that I had frightened her, and all she wanted to do was escape by running around and changing direction and ignoring me by trying to smell the poop as she raced by. I felt so depressed that I had pushed her to that point.
 

I hoped that I hadn't damaged her beyond repair. So today, I went to see her, and she ran to meet me at the gate. I took her to the round pen and began with lunging her on the lead rope to help her understand what I was going to do. Next, I brought her to the center pen and unclipped her lead line and asked her to move away in the same gentle but purposeful way that you did in the video. she immediately knew what I was asking her to do. I maintained my place in the center of the round pen and gave her my intentions just as you demonstrated. I am amazed that she responded so quickly to what I was asking of her. She made a few mistakes, but I corrected her in the same gentle way, and she gave me her attention and she really tried in every way that she could to understand and please me. I ended the session the same way that I started it. with her on the lead line, with lots of love and praise. Caroline, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your knowledge and love for horses through your videos.

Dena M.

Thank you for the series of riding videos that actually teach the sitting trot bareback, (even with the pad!, lol). All the others were stiffening up, putting their heels down and bouncing straight up and down, not 'forward and back' with the pelvis. I wanted something to use as an example in a post on FB and you are the only rider I could find with a long, relaxed leg at the trot. Brilliant! :)