Liberty Horsemanship: embracing a force free mentality

This workshop-style clinic is as much about the humans than the horses. We will work on shifting our mindset from the traditional “you have to make them do it” mentality into a new paradigm of horsemanship where instead, we see if we can make them want to do it using positive reinforcement. The results may shock and surprise you when you see how far your horse will go for you when they have maximum choice in your relationship and their behavior is no longer motivated by pressure.

The format will be a combination of lecture, demonstration, discussion, journaling/reflection of how to apply this mindset throughout our lives and with our horses, as well as hands on experience for those who wish to participate.

Topics include

• The gamification of horse training
• Self determination theory of motivation and how we can apply that to horses
• How to create calm, relaxed horses and build emotional regulation skills using positive reinforcement
• Helping your horse move past a scarcity mindset around food to create relaxation and confidence
• The control paradox: how to become more comfortable with letting go of the reins (both literally and figuratively!)
• Getting comfortable with force free mindset: the horse can do whatever she likes, but we’re going to make our thing more fun than grass, or friends, or any other distractions.
• Cultivating true safety with your horse by creating a psychological safe space where there are no wrong answers and no punishments
• Using choice as a powerful behavioral reinforcer