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No more irritating Youtube ads to sit through or advertisements for tack and equine products. With your blog membership you get access to hundreds of full-length, unedited, un-choreographed, real-time training videos. Videos that guarantee proven results. Results that work best for you and your horse and offer common-sense strategies with a holistic approach.

You also get one of the leading experts in equine behavior, relationship and riding. Caroline’s vast experience includes working with thousands of horses at all levels of training, experience and disciplines.

In addition to the quality of content, knowledge and expertise presented within each video, you are learning a training approach that works for any breed of horse, any experience, all disciplines and for any level of handler/rider.

The blog is set up into 11 categories. This is so you can find a specific topic of interest more easily and not have to sift through hundreds of videos, searching for the answer. Because the videos are holistic in their approach, meaning each video considers all aspects of the horse; emotions, spiritual, physical and mental, videos may be duplicated and found in more than one category.

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Training Videos

A variety of topics and training videos that work for ALL horses and people, no matter what the experience, breed, age, discipline or level of handler/rider.

33:45

How to Stop a Bolting Horse - The Secret is Prevention

You have probably heard about pressure and release techniques in horse training, specifically in natural horsemanship. There are many different explanations about how to use it, with the most widely recognized approach using pressure to motivate “the try” and/or “make the horse to do what you want.” Let’s now take a look at what “motivating the try” means and what “making the horse” means. Both use pressure, however, one focuses on getting a “response” from the horse whereas the other focuses on creating a “reaction.” While response and reaction are similar in meaning they can create two vastly different results. Creating a response in our horse means we have taken the time needed to help the horse think and figure it out. This approach requires skill and the use of feel and timing. Feel and timing determine the amount of pressure and timing of the release. Creating a reaction in our horse on the other hand means we apply pressure until the horse does what we want. We are not considering the horse or using pressure to guide the process of learning. Instead pressure is used as negative reinforcement, meaning if the horse does not do what we want, we keep applying the pressure. In this scenario the horse learns to either avoid the pressure or react to it defensively. An example of teaching your horse to respond to pressure would be teaching your young horse to move away from steady, driving pressure in the round pen and with calm, connection and relaxation. We achieve this by going slow and taking into consideration how the horse is responding to our use of pressure and if they are figuring out what we want. By watching their body language and expressions we can determine how we go about using pressure. By going slow, we are best able to “listen” to our horse, allow our horse to teach us about them - what works best, how they feel about it and most of all develop them as confident learners during this process. Creating a reaction on the other hand creates a quick and impulsive (non-thinking) response that is defensive or instinctively driven – the opposite of a thinking horse. If done too much, and too often, we develop a reactive, flighty, unconfident and unsafe horse. In the end, we want to use pressure to not only help our horses think, we want to use it as a guide in developing a responsive, thinking, confident and safe partner. The release is equally as important as the use of pressure when teaching too. How we use the release, it’s purpose, will make or break the learning process. It should be used as a means of allowing the horse to digest what you are teaching, process the information and absorb the meaning. If we do not allow for the release, or understand its purpose, we have done the horse a huge disservice and injustice. Click here to learn more about "how-to" develop you and your horse: https://www.taoofhorsemanship.com/video-library #equestrian #horsetraining #horses #carolinebeste #taoofhorsemanship #masterymembership #horsetrainer #holistichorsemanship #holistichorsemanship #carolinebeste #taoofhorsemanship #ilovehorses #happyhorses #horsebackriding #ridinghorses #bitless #riding

38:57

How to Ride Bit-less Safely and with Control

Hi, I’m Caroline Beste of the Tao of Horsemanship. This month’s Holistic Horse “Ask the Expert” Q&A is about riding bit-less with control and safety. This month’s viewer asks “I have been practicing natural horsemanship exercises on the ground with my horse and I would like to take that connection to riding in the halter and lead. I’m not sure how to begin and will I have the control and safety I’m use to when riding with a bit?” Yes! You can have just as much safety with a rope halter and lead rope as you can with a bit. Safety and control are as much about technique as they are about training. The biggest mistake most horse owners make is they think technique will save them. Sometimes it does and I’ve ridden many a horse that knew how to bend to a stop, immediately and from a canter. And, when they felt threatened, scared, their prey instincts kicked in and took over. The level of adrenaline out-weighed any and all technique. And, I’ve worked with horses long enough to instill a solid foundation of knowledge, education and relationship. This is what has saved us and prevented accidents. In the end, it is the mindset of your horse and the level of emotional and mental engagement that keeps them tuned into you and on a powerful level. Friendship, love and partnership – willing cooperation, are the keys to riding bit-less, bareback and bridle-less with control and safety. This video covers 5 main techniques to developing, and improving, body control and safety. It also discusses the level and quality of training necessary to ride bit-less and/or bareback with control and safety. The following 5 areas, and techniques, are discussed. The order of each is important as they are designed to be building blocks for the next to follow. 1) Mounting: The quality of your mounting is in your mount Does your horse stand still? Are they relaxed yet attentive? The importance and value of CONTACT: This is where you teach your hands to ask your horse to follow a ‘feel” and/or a contact – not fight it. And, where your horse learns to accept the contact, become responsive and relaxed, not stressed, resistant, defensive. 2) Vertical Flexion: Is about asking your horse to “break” at their pole and shoulders/wither area. This aids in softening and relaxing your horse’s topline so that their movement is fluid, smooth. 3) Lateral Flexion: Is about asking your horse to “break” at the pole FIRST, then the middle of the neck. Breaking at the pole aids in softening and relaxing your horse’s topline and both aid in developing the “bend to a stop” or “emergency stop.” 4) Back up: You need a good mount and responsive and relaxed flexion for the back up to be effortless – without tension, resistance. 5) Hind-end Control – Disengaging the hind end: This technique takes the power away from your horse’s “engine” and/or hind legs. For more information, please visit: www.taoofhorsemanship.com #equestrian #horsetraining #horses #carolinebeste #taoofhorsemanship #masterymembership #horsetrainer #holistichorsemanship #holistichorsemanship #ilovehorses #happyhorses #horsebackriding #ridinghorses #bitless #riding

30:01

Developing Trust & Confidence in the Round Pen: Bandit's 1st week of round penning

Bandit was only 4 years old when he came to me for re-training. He had already been to two natural horsemanship trainers, spending months with each. He was a rescue when his owner adopted him and after both trainers, he was never the same. The last straw was when he exploded under saddle when his owner mounted him, sending her into the emergency room. That's when she did some searching on Youtube and found my videos. My work is holistic and focuses on the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical aspects of the whole horse and their well-being. This video is a review of Bandit's first week of round pen work with me. My first session was an assessment and designed to get to know him, get a baseline of information. Assessments are designed to help you read the horse, understand them, so you know how they feel. From there you know what tools needed to help him learn, grow, release and develop. The purpose of my round pen work is to develop the following in the horse and between us: - Relationship, bonding - Connection & conversation - Trust - Respect - Confidence - My 3 "R's": responsiveness, rhythm, relaxation - Joining in mind, body & soul Click here https://www.taoofhorsemanship.com/masterymembership to join my MasteryMembership Program, where students and riders from all over the world who, like you, want a more compassionate, positive and progressive training system that teaches you how to start and finish horses! #equestrian #horsetraining #horses #carolinebeste #taoofhorsemanship #masterymembership #horsetrainer #holistichorsemanship #equestrian #holistichorsemanship #horses #carolinebeste #taoofhorsemanship #ilovehorses #happyhorses #horsebackriding #ridinghorses #bitless #riding

17:52

How to Ride the Trot & Canter: Part II

Hi, I’m Caroline Rider of Rider Horsemanship. This month’s Holistic Horse “Ask the Expert” Q&A is about developing a balanced seat during the trot to canter transition. This month’s viewer question is: “Dear Caroline, I bounce often at the trot, causing me to tense and my horse to speed up and rush into the canter. My question is threefold; how do I learn to sit the sitting trot and how do I ask my horse into a canter from the sitting trot? I also need to help my horse remain calm and tolerant of me while I am learning. Please help!” This video is in two parts with the first part, Part I, demonstrating how I teach the rider how to embody energy, rhythm and become one with the horse in that movement. This is achieved through my ground work exercises for both horse and rider and involve both the free longe and my longeing technique. Here is the link to view Part I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmmZS3E7_0s&index=1&list=PL1UMI_k13fYWO_amtAh_aCljfta7T_5XI This video, Part II, is about transferring my ground work approach and technique to riding. Here I demonstrate the following qualities necessary to developing a balanced, independent seat within the rider as well as sitting the sitting trot to canter transitions: - Rider embodiment of the 2 beat trot and/or 3 beat canter when asking the horse to engage in similar movement - Breakdown of rider’s position, and body mechanics, when asking for specific movement - Understanding the function of the pelvis, hips, and seat when involved in movement - Qualities or proper rider position for rider-horse synergy, alignment and balance - Biomechanics of rider and horse in movement when engaged in the 2 beat trot and the 3 beat canter I prefer to teach the sitting trot to canter transition bareback and for several reasons: 1) riding bareback will keep you safe. Yes, safe. I don’t know anyone, including myself, who will take the risk of getting hurt when riding bareback. You either know you can get on your horse and work safely bareback or you don’t. Bareback riding tends to remind us to not take the chances we would normally when in the saddle. We tend to take our time and are more mindful, aware, of our surroundings including our horse; 2) developing balance is easier without stirrups. We tend to put too much pressure, brace, in our stirrups when learning to ride or even refine our riding; 3) we can develop better feel and timing when we can feel our horse underneath us. Horses are sensitive to begin with and even more so when they can feel direct contact from our seat; 4) there is no better connection, in mind and body, than the connection a horse and rider obtains when moving as one. Trust and partnership are the two founding qualities to mastering bareback riding and when we have achieved these with our equine partners, we feel the magic of melding two minds, two bodies and two souls - together in harmonious dance. The rhythm and tempo that rider and horse develop together through my ground exercises originates from the rider's hips/pelvis and moves upward through their spine and outward. Same feeling the rider feels when they are riding the movement, thus when the rider has worked weeks with my ground work this way and then rides, the horse and rider are tuned into the subtly of the mind-body synergy created for movement. This way not only offers an amazing relationship throughout your work together, it strengthens partnership and creates safety by developing full focus (discipline of the mind and obedience), awareness, presence and Being present together. The following Rider Horsemanship DVD's will further explain the information covered in this video: - Biomechanics DVD: http://www.shoppingcartdepot.com/c/RH-2011/products/DVD-Single-Biomechanics/7l7V707k7Z2 - Riding as One DVD: http://www.shoppingcartdepot.com/c/RH-2011/products/DVD-Single-Lunging/7l7V707k7Z2 - Lunging with a Purpose DVD: https://www.shoppingcartdepot.com/c/RH-2011/products/DVD-Vol1-DVD3/707k7g7C7li Please visit www.riderhorsemanship.com for more education materials, DVD's, clinic opportunities, training and the TAO of Horsemanship Online Foundation Course.

Because Caroline works holistically, she considers the whole horse and includes all aspects of the horse – from their emotions to their spirit, their mind and body. Her level of experience and expertise is par none to most and follows the wisdom and practices of some of the great masters of years ago.

The videos range and cover areas that include equine emotions and relationship, developing a calm and connected partnership, horse care and wellness, nutrition, mounting pre-requisites, rider confidence, collection and biomechanics, bitless and bareback riding, spooky horses, reading and understanding equine nature, psychology and behavior, collection and equine biomechanics, foundational building blocks, problem solving the most difficult training challenges and so much more!

Training Courses

In addition to the hundreds of training videos you have access to some of Caroline’s short training courses. Courses that show you step-by-step how she handles difficult horses, development of young horses and problem-solving.

Q&A Sessions

Your membership gives you the opportunity to leave comments and ask questions that Caroline will answer personally each week.

Community & Support

You will also be able to chat with others who are of like-mind and working towards the same goals in their learning, relationships and riding.

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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! :)

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About Caroline Beste

Caroline Beste is an internationally recognized behavior specialist and holistic educator. She is best known for her personal coaching style and intuitive approach to teaching people and training horses. Caroline’s method combines the Art of Horsemanship and Classical Dressage with a Taoist way of Being and interacting, with a primary focus on aligning and synchronizing horse and rider in mind (thought), body (movement) and soul (relationship).

Caroline believes in a holistic approach to horsemanship, providing expert knowledge and instruction for the whole horse and rider. Her approach is multi-dimensional and includes the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of both the person and horse’s well-being.

Caroline’s vast experience in a multitude of disciplines enables her to provide expert and individualized attention to both the well-being and soundness of the horse as well as the management, handling, nutrition, education and athletic maintenance of horse and rider.

Caroline offers her expertise and compassionate training in person through her Total Immersion Training Programs at her center in Dunnellon FL as well as long-distance and through her Tao of Horsemanship Online Academy Training Courses and personal coaching services.

More Testimonials From Riders Like You

Meet online students and riders from all over the world who, like you, want to learn how to begin their horses training and foundation using a compassionate, positive and progressive training system.

Sleeping Dragon

So pleased to have found your video library, Caroline. Your commentary and style is great and resonates with me. I am working with a young horse right now that has issues as a result of "learned behavior out of defensiveness and avoidance". This little horse and I have come a long way together already, but I was feeling a bit alone in the journey. Having found your online community, I don't feel that anymore! Thank you. Sincerely.

Angela H.

Hi Caroline, watching these episodes made me realize how much my mare Amy is like Sundance. Amy is so independent and is the dominant herd leader. i have only had her for just over two years and she is a very intelligent horse and knows what she wants and who she likes. I have recently developed a much stronger bond by developing a better give and take relationship with her. I feel this has done wonders for the connection that we have. A lot of this is because of your excellent guidance in helping me to understand and connect with her on a different level. I'm sure you'll agree with me when i say that developing a relationship where your horse wants to be with you if so much more important than a horse thinking it has to. Amy now comes to me in the pasture every time she sees me, and our bond gets stronger every day. I can't thank you enough for sharing your knowledge with us. ~Love Angela

Free Spirit

I enjoy every Video of you and your relaxed horses 👍♞ You said the same words as my riding teacher that's why I like you 👍 I wish you the best and i hope you will teach more people to work like this with horses. I've seen so much cruel riders and it makes me so sad how some people don't understand what they do with their horse. I'm so happy that i found this way to work with a horse. In Austria and Germany there are so many people who don't understand this. Your horsemanship approach and videos changed my life ♥︎

VeryHappyHorse

I highly recommend your video library. I have studied them, and Caroline's teaching has helped my horsemanship on the ground and riding bareback (my favorite!!). I have become more aware of my energy and body language and how it affects the horse. Her explanations of horse behavior and body language has made me more in tune with my horse and helped my horse to connect more with me. Thank you, Caroline!!!

Live2learn4life

You make me cry every darn time I watch you work! lol YOU (your instruction) should be REQUIRED before anyone is permitted to own or work with a horse, there are no words to properly describe your gift of communication with these beautiful creatures...Thank you for all you do

Ashley A.

Hi Caroline! I have just recently purchased two paint horses. One is green broke and the other is halter broke but has never been under a saddle. My wife has been working with horses for 15+ years and trained several. I haven't had the experience she has but have been watching your videos and I love the bond you have with your horses. I hope to achieve that as well. I do not want to negatively reinforce anything. I have watched other videos after watching yours and notice that those horses are just reacting, they're not "working" or "obeying". I'm hoping my Legend and I can have the same relationship you and Smokey do.

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