This article delves into the Horsefulness Liberty Training Program developed by Karine Vandenborre, offering a comprehensive review for horse owners seeking a more trusting and understanding relationship with their equine companions. It aims to provide insights into the program’s philosophy, structure, and practical application, highlighting its unique approach to liberty training.
Understanding the Horsefulness Philosophy
The Horsefulness Liberty Training Program is built upon a foundation that combines “horsemanship” with “mindfulness.” Karine Vandenborre emphasizes the importance of building a genuine connection with horses based on trust and a deep understanding of their signals. This approach moves away from traditional dominance-based training methods, focusing instead on conscious, non-judgmental attention to both the horse’s behavior and the handler’s own body language. The program’s core principle is to foster a relationship where the horse feels safe, understood, and willing to engage. This philosophy directly challenges common myths surrounding leadership and hierarchy in horse training, advocating for methods that are sensitive to the horse’s well-being.
Program Structure and Content
The Horsefulness Liberty Training Program is structured into eight progressive modules, supplemented by a bonus module on groundwork. Each module unlocks sequentially, typically every 2-3 weeks, to ensure a measured and effective learning process. This phased release prevents participants from rushing through the material, allowing for deeper comprehension and practical application.
The program’s content includes:
- Educational Videos: Demonstrating exercises and explaining concepts.
- PDF Downloads: Providing detailed instructions and supporting information.
- Video Feedback Sessions: Offering insights into real-time training scenarios.
- MP3 Audio Files: For supplementary learning.
A key feature of the program is the interactive Q&A section available beneath each video and PDF, allowing participants to seek clarification. Additionally, a private Facebook group moderated by Karine Vandenborre provides a supportive community for members to ask questions and share experiences. The program is offered at a one-time fee of 300 Euros, granting lifetime access to all current and future content.
Differentiating Liberty Training Methods
Unlike many other liberty programs, Horsefulness avoids the use of round pens, opting instead for larger arenas or pastures. Vandenborre argues that round pens are too restrictive and do not allow horses the space to express themselves freely or to communicate effectively. In a larger space, both horse and handler can learn more about their interactions, with the horse having the ability to disengage if pressure becomes too much. This approach prioritizes creating an environment of trust, friendship, clear communication, and togetherness.
The program centers around eight core connection exercises:
- Bonding Time: Simply spending time with the horse without asking for anything, fostering a sense of togetherness.
- Greet & Go: Learning to approach, greet, and then leave the horse, respecting its boundaries and showing that interaction is not always transactional.
- Greet & Groom: Approaching the horse and grooming its preferred spots, learning to discern when the horse is receptive to touch.
- Your Spot, My Spot: Teaching the horse to willingly give up its space within a group without force, using specific body language.
- Easy Herding: Enhancing the group dynamic by herding the horse in a friendly manner, with exercises progressing from following to more complex directional cues.
- Liberty Leading: Encouraging the horse to follow the trainer willingly, either in a lead or partner position, with a focus on connection if the horse is hesitant.
- Spontaneous Circling: Inviting the horse to circle around the trainer at various gaits, emphasizing voluntary participation rather than forced movement.
- The Boomerang: A playful exercise where the horse is encouraged to move away and then invited to return quickly, reinforcing positive engagement.
Vandenborre emphasizes that this is not a quick-fix method but one that requires empathy, feeling, and a willingness to let go of the need for absolute control.
Impact on the Human-Horse Relationship
Early results from the program have shown significant positive changes in the relationship between the reviewer and her horse, Nazir. Nazir has become calmer, with previously concerning spooking behavior disappearing. His demeanor has softened, and he now actively seeks interaction, approaching the reviewer and following her without a lead rope, a stark contrast to his previous indifference. He also shows increased enjoyment during grooming sessions, sometimes even reciprocating the grooming. This suggests a deeper, more mutual connection has been forged. The principles have also been applied successfully with other horses, leading to them accepting the reviewer as part of their herd.
The Horsefulness Liberty Training Program offers a unique and empathetic approach to horsemanship, focusing on building a strong, trusting bond through understanding and mindfulness.
For those interested in learning more about Karine Vandenborre’s philosophy, two free e-books are available at http://hfa.horsefulness.be/free-e-book/. To join the program, visit http://horsefulnesslibertytrainingprogram.com/join-the-program-2/.
This article was originally posted on September 13, 2016, by Bettina “Bee” Biolik.
