Embarking on the journey of horse training often involves navigating various philosophies and methods. For those seeking a path that prioritizes trust, understanding, and a genuine connection, Karine Vandenborre’s Horsefulness Liberty Training Program offers a unique and deeply rewarding approach. This program moves beyond traditional dominance-based techniques, focusing instead on fostering a relationship built on mutual respect and clear communication. It’s an ideal resource for horse owners who, like the author, desire a more profound bond with their equine partners and are looking to interpret their horses’ behavior with greater accuracy.
The Horsefulness Liberty Training Program is structured into eight comprehensive modules, designed to be accessed sequentially. This phased release prevents overwhelm and encourages a thorough understanding of each step. Each module includes a wealth of educational content: videos, downloadable PDFs, recordings of feedback sessions, and MP3 audio files. A bonus module specifically addresses how to integrate the Horsefulness philosophy into groundwork, a highly anticipated addition for those who, like myself, dedicate significant time to ground-based training. The program emphasizes a step-by-step process, guiding users on what to observe in their horses, understanding their own body language, and recognizing readiness for the next stage. Support is readily available through a Q&A section under each video and PDF, as well as a private, members-only Facebook group where Karine Vandenborre personally answers questions. At €300, the program offers lifelong access, including future updates, making it a valuable long-term investment.
Understanding the “Horsefulness” Philosophy
The core of this program lies in its namesake: “Horsefulness.” This term artfully blends “horsemanship” with “mindfulness,” advocating for a conscious, non-judgmental awareness of both oneself and the horse. Karine Vandenborre stresses the paramount importance of building a connection grounded in trust and a deep understanding of a horse’s signals. Horsefulness Training cultivates a constant awareness of how a horse thinks, reacts, learns, and lives, while simultaneously honing the trainer’s self-awareness regarding their own posture and responses. This approach fosters a non-judgmental and fully attentive way of interacting with horses.
A significant departure from conventional methods, the Horsefulness program directly addresses and debunks common myths surrounding leadership and hierarchy in horse training. It explores the origins of these myths and their detrimental effects on the horse-human relationship. Initial exercises are conducted in the horse’s natural environment, such as a paddock or pasture, before progressing to a larger enclosed arena or paddock. Vandenborre intentionally avoids the use of round pens, arguing they are too confining and restrict a horse’s ability to express itself freely. In a larger space, a horse can communicate more openly, and importantly, a trainer can more easily discern when their approach is causing undue pressure, as the horse has the option to move away. This freedom is crucial for building confidence in both horse and human. 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 8 Pillars of Connection: Practical Exercises
The Horsefulness Liberty Training Program centers around eight fundamental connection exercises designed to build trust and understanding:
Bonding Time: This foundational exercise involves simply spending quiet time with your horse without any demands. By allowing the horse the choice to approach or not, a sense of togetherness naturally grows. The program provides guidance on adapting to different horse personalities and their reactions.
Greet & Go: This exercise teaches you to respect your horse’s boundaries while inviting contact. After a brief greeting, you disengage, reinforcing that your presence isn’t always about asking for something. This helps in approaching various horse temperaments effectively.
Greet & Groom: A personal favorite for many, this exercise allows for grooming on the horse’s preferred spots, but only if the horse is receptive. It cultivates an awareness of the horse’s willingness to be groomed and how to approach them with sensitivity.
Your Spot, My Spot: Within a group setting, this module focuses on teaching your horse to yield its space without force. The horse learns to willingly give up its spot and allow itself to be guided, utilizing specific body language tailored to the individual horse. This exercise, when applied correctly, can significantly improve subtle communication.
Easy Herding: This exercise enhances the feeling of partnership. Horses naturally perceive those who herd them kindly as part of their group. Different stages, from “following” to “active herding,” are taught, enabling you to guide your horse’s pace, direction, and movement in a non-coercive manner.
Liberty Leading: This exercise, often a natural outcome of the preceding ones, focuses on encouraging your horse to follow you willingly, whether in the lead or as a partner. If the horse hesitates, it signals a need to return to earlier connection-building steps.
Spontaneous Circling: Trained without pressure, this exercise focuses on genuine following rather than hindquarter disengagement. You’ll learn to invite your horse to circle you at various gaits, always allowing the horse the freedom to disengage.
The Boomerang: This exercise teaches you to send your horse away playfully and encourage a swift, willing return at a trot or canter, demonstrating that a well-executed departure naturally leads to a willing return.
Karine Vandenborre emphasizes, “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.”
Transformative Impact on the Horse-Human Relationship
Even partway through the program, the positive effects on the horse-human relationship are remarkable. Observed changes include a significant decrease in spooking, resulting in a calmer demeanor. The horse exhibits a softer, less worried expression. Previously indifferent horses now eagerly greet their trainer upon entering the paddock and follow without a lead rope. Horses that once showed no enjoyment in grooming now actively seek it out, sometimes even reciprocating with mutual grooming. This cultivates a deeper, more enjoyable connection, transforming shared time into a cherished experience. The principles of this program have also been successfully applied to other horses, fostering their acceptance and trust, with them readily approaching and even resting near the trainer.
The Horsefulness Liberty Training Program by Karine Vandenborre offers a profound shift in how we can engage with horses. It is a testament to the power of empathy, patience, and a non-judgmental approach, promising a more harmonious and fulfilling partnership for both horse and human. For those interested in learning more about Karine’s philosophy, free e-books are available, and the program itself can be joined via a dedicated link.
