Training a horse can be a journey of discovery, not just for the animal, but for the human as well. For those seeking a deeper, more trusting bond with their equine partners, traditional methods sometimes fall short, often focusing on dominance and control. This is where alternative approaches like the Horsefulness Liberty Training Program, developed by Karine Vandenborre, offer a refreshing perspective. This program emphasizes building a relationship founded on mutual respect, understanding, and clear communication, moving away from forceful leadership tactics.
The Horsefulness Liberty Training Program is structured into eight comprehensive modules, complemented by educational videos, PDF guides, feedback sessions, and audio recordings. A bonus module delves into applying the Horsefulness philosophy to groundwork. Content is released sequentially, allowing for a paced learning experience, preventing overwhelm and encouraging thorough understanding before advancing. This step-by-step approach guides users to observe their horse’s behavior, interpret their own body language, and recognize readiness for the next stage. The program fosters a supportive learning environment with Q&A sections under each lesson and an exclusive Facebook group where Karine Vandenborre directly addresses user queries. Priced at 300 Euros, the program offers lifelong access, including future updates, making it a valuable investment for dedicated horse owners.
Understanding the “Horsefulness” Philosophy
The core of this program lies in its unique name, “Horsefulness,” a blend of “horsemanship” and “mindfulness.” As Karine Vandenborre explains, it embodies an attitude of conscious, non-judgmental attention towards oneself and the horse. This philosophy prioritizes establishing a genuine connection built on trust and a deep understanding of the horse’s signals. Horsefulness Training encourages constant awareness of the horse’s thoughts, reactions, and learning processes, as well as the handler’s own posture and responses. It advocates for a non-judgmental approach, filled with attentiveness.
The program directly challenges common myths surrounding leadership and hierarchy in horse training. It deconstructs the origins of these myths and their detrimental effects on the human-horse relationship. Initial exercises are conducted in the horse’s natural environment, such as paddocks or pastures. Later stages transition to larger, enclosed arenas rather than round pens. Vandenborre posits that round pens are too restrictive, hindering a horse’s ability to express itself freely. In a spacious setting, a horse can communicate much more effectively, and handlers can better learn to identify and correct their own mistakes without undue pressure. This expansive environment also allows handlers to establish their personal space confidently, knowing the horse can disengage without negative repercussions. As Karine Vandenborre states, “Liberty Training is all about creating trust and friendship, clear communication, togetherness and openness! It’s to develop a deep bond with your horse.”
The Eight Connection Exercises
The program centers around eight fundamental connection exercises designed to foster trust and understanding:
- Bonding Time: This involves simply spending quiet time with your horse in its paddock or pasture without any specific demands. The horse is given the choice to approach or not, cultivating a sense of togetherness. The program provides guidance on managing different horse personalities and their potential reactions to your presence.
- Greet & Go: This exercise teaches respect for the horse’s boundaries while inviting interaction. After a brief greeting, the handler immediately steps away, reinforcing that the interaction is not always about making a demand. This helps in approaching various horse types effectively.
- Greet & Groom: This became a personal favorite, allowing for grooming on the horse’s preferred spots if they permit approach. It emphasizes learning to read the horse’s willingness to be groomed, promoting awareness of one’s approach.
- Your Spot, My Spot: Within a group, this module focuses on teaching the horse to willingly give up its spot without being chased, allowing for movement within the group dynamic. Different body language cues are used depending on the horse.
- Easy Herding: This exercise enhances the group feeling, as horses naturally accept those who herd them in a friendly manner as part of the group. It progresses through stages like “following,” “search for me,” “active herding,” and “passive herding,” enabling the handler to guide the horse’s pace, direction, and movements while allowing the horse the freedom to leave.
- Liberty Leading: This can emerge spontaneously from previous exercises, but the module provides techniques to encourage the horse to follow the handler willingly, either in lead or partner position. If the horse is reluctant, it signifies a need to revisit earlier connection exercises.
- Spontaneous Circling: Trained without pressure, this exercise focuses on the horse’s genuine following rather than disengaging its hindquarters. Handlers learn to invite the horse to circle at various gaits.
- The Boomerang: This exercise teaches the horse to move away from the handler and then be invited to return quickly at a trot or canter, reinforcing the idea that a playful and correct send-off encourages a willing return.
Karine Vandenborre emphasizes that “Liberty Training the way I teach isn’t a quick-fix method, it asks a lot of empathy and feeling, and above all, letting go of control.”
Impact on the Human-Horse Relationship
While still progressing through the program, the noticeable positive changes in the horse’s behavior are significant. There has been a marked decrease in spooking, leading to a calmer demeanor. The horse exhibits a softer gaze, appearing less worried. Previously indifferent or avoidant, the horse now frequently greets the handler upon entering the paddock and often follows without a lead rope. A particular highlight is the horse’s newfound enjoyment of grooming, even initiating contact and sometimes reciprocating with grooming gestures. This has fostered a much more pleasant and enjoyable connection, enhancing the shared experience.
The principles of the program have also been applied successfully with other horses, demonstrating their versatility. For instance, a pony mare named Jette showed remarkable trust very quickly. Furthermore, practicing with other horses in the paddock has led to their acceptance of the handler as part of their herd, with many coming to greet and observe.
For those interested in exploring Karine Vandenborre’s training philosophy further, two free e-books are available at http://hfa.horsefulness.be/free-e-book/. To enroll in the program, visit http://horsefulnesslibertytrainingprogram.com/join-the-program-2/. This recommendation is purely based on the positive influence observed in the work with horses.
The Horsefulness Liberty Training Program offers a profound approach to equine communication, emphasizing empathy, patience, and the power of a trust-based relationship over traditional dominance-driven methods.
