The Resnick Method Liberty Horsemanship

02/12/2025

The Gift In Learning To Follow
We often approach horses with ideas about what we should teach them. It is true that we have valuable lessons to share, but horses are here to teach us just as much as we are here to teach them. They experience the world without the burden of preconceived notions, responding to each moment with instinct, presence, and authenticity. They do not judge based on appearances, nor do they carry the weight of past regrets or future anxieties. They find deep fascination in the simplest things, a shift in the wind, the feel of the earth beneath their hooves and they express their emotions freely and without hesitation. Horses live fully immersed in the present moment, seeing everything with the clarity that comes from deep awareness. In this sense, they are our greatest teachers. (Read full blog link in bio)https://www.carolynresnick.com/blog/the-gift-in-learning-to-follow-2

02/12/2025

The Gift In Learning To Follow
https://www.carolynresnick.com/blog/the-gift-in-learning-to-follow-2

12/24/2024

A fun conversation between Lynn Carnes and Nancy Zintsmaster💕

My guest for this episode is Nancy Zintsmaster, who is co-founder and master trainer in The Carolyn Resnick Method Liberty Horsemanship. I’m going to start this int…

11/28/2024

🍂🦃 Happy Thanksgiving to All! 🦃🍂

Today, I’m feeling especially grateful for this amazing community and the shared love we have for horses. 🐴💛 Horses teach us so much about connection, patience, and gratitude, and I’m thankful for the lessons they bring into our lives every single day.

I’m also incredibly thankful for each of YOU—for your passion, your dedication, and the joy you bring to this journey. Together, we’re creating something truly special.

Wishing you and your loved ones a beautiful day filled with love, laughter, and maybe even a little horse time. 🧡

Drop a comment below and share what you’re grateful for this year—I’d love to hear it!

Warm wishes,
Nancy Zintsmaster

11/26/2024

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🐴 Complete Waterhole Rituals® Liberty Training Course
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📝 Exclusive blogs, horsemanship tips, and podcasts
🌟 A supportive community of horse lovers

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10/08/2024

Understanding Herd Behavior: Insights from Carolyn Resnick

In their everyday need for survival, horses have developed a communication system that is noteworthy. Wild horses are like a society of nomadic people who have leaders of leaders. Because nature’s habitat for horses is open rangeland, each horse has the freedom to pick and choose a band of horses where he or she fits in and where his or her personality type is needed.

I have observed three major behaviors in horses: leadership behavior, dominant behavior, and submissive behavior. These behaviors are also the horses' personality types as well. Harmonious herds are made up of a cohesive balance of personalities, with each personality fitting perfectly into the chain of command. If the herd makeup is not harmonious, this is when horses tend to move on and join a herd that works for them.

An important difference between lead horses and dominant horses is that dominant horses show no interest in leadership issues, such as where the herd should go for food or how to escape from danger. Rather, they are interested in dominance issues, such as maintaining or raising their position in the pecking order to another horse.

Lead horses are generally the most intelligent horses in the herd and take on the responsibility for the safety of the herd. In general, the higher a horse’s rank, the more intelligent he or she is.

Over the years, I have observed that in herds put together by humans, the lead horse (at first) acts much like a horse with a submissive personality. The lead horse, whether it is a lead stallion or a lead mare, is simply waiting for the horses to sort out their pecking order. Once the order is established, he or she knows that the horses will naturally be able to accept his or her direction. Lead horses at first will avoid any conflict. I have even seen them run to escape from a dominant horse.

Fights are usually between “consenting scrappers,” while the submissive horses are protected by going unnoticed. From the herd instinct of horses, core values and laws are developed that support the needs of the whole community, from the strongest to the weakest individual.

Horses do not live gentle lives, even though the natural condition they share together is spent in harmonious herd behavior. Harmony is achieved through leadership that doesn’t come easily. Lead horses are responsible for keeping harmony by enforcing fair social behavior with the horses that are too aggressive. They avoid physical conflict by enforcing rules of behavior through aggressive body language at the moment a horse would naturally take flight.

Dominant horses eventually surrender to the laws of the community, and often they will change roles in who is dominant over another horse. Lead horses learn early that dominant horses pick fights, but they will run when ambushed and will then be polite, respectful, and accepting of leadership easily afterward. There seems to be an unwritten rule that horses must submit to any horse that catches them off guard. There is definitely a code of conduct that is followed in a harmonious herd. Harmony is reached when a horse asks another horse to move on, and he or she does. They are respectful when sharing personal space together.

A horse has more control over his personal space when another horse walks up to join him versus the control he has when asking to join another horse’s personal space. If the horse that is approaching wants the other horse to move, the approached horse will easily move away. This is a good way to communicate with a horse at liberty as a way to get on the good side of a horse while gaining his desire to follow your lead. When you walk up to a horse, you should not walk up to him if he shows any concern. It is important for a horse to approach you so that you can have control over his behavior (as described above), because he or she will respect your personal space wishes, and if you ask him to leave, he will. When a horse approaches you, you then have his full attention. This creates a certain amount of respect from your horse. The opposite is true if you go up to your horse; he then feels you need to respect his wishes. If you do not respect his need for personal space, you will lose his trust. If you follow the code, a horse will naturally see you as a leader. He feels a bond because he sees that you are following the code of conduct he trusts and respects.

Once the herd is established, the pecking order disappears because the pecking order led to an understanding of how to live in harmony. Lead horses know how to bring this about without any use of pecking order. Dominant horses are focused on the pecking order. Between the two, unity is reached. My method of horsemanship steps away from the pecking order world of dominance and approaches the horse as a lead horse would.

— Carolyn Resnick

10/07/2024

If you seek connection, love horses, enjoy yoga, or want to support a good cause, join us for Yoga With Horses at Pregnant Mare Rescue!
This 1 hr. all-level chair yoga class includes meditation, breathwork, and accessible yoga poses designed to help you find your center and embrace your authentic self. No prior horse or yoga experience is required.
Questions? Message Free Spirit Stables for more information.

09/07/2024

Love this post! 💕

Sharing space with the horses. I’ve been doing this practice for two weeks now. I look forward to it everyday. This feels like an extension of my yoga practice.. An opportunity to be in communion with nature and, to connect on a deeper level with my horses. Also an opportunity for journalling whatever unfolds in awareness.

Horses live in the moment. They’re not caught in the mind trap of past and present. From my experience sitting with them brings a feeling of regulation. to the nervous system and deep peace. I was drawn to the Carolyn Resnick Method when i saw it pop up in my feed and instinctively knew that my horses could benefit from this. What i didn’t realise is I am benefiting from this even more…on day 1 my horse Bouncer through silent communication indicated two words, Fear and Shsme. I’ve been sitting with those two words as ‘things’ since. I will leave you with a snippet of my journal entry:

my heart feels full of joy and love
to be present in this moment.

I am so grateful to have this moment in nature with you.

To feel the heartbeat of the Earth beneath my feet. In my bones, my body, my breath.

There is no place I would rather be than being here now sharing love of life with the horse.

I am blessed
I am alive
I am love

Tears of joy roll down my cheeks. I am with my horse.
♥️

thank you 🙏🏽

09/06/2024

Companion walking is a gift you receive when you have a magnetic connection with your horse. 💞

08/27/2024

In Loving Memory of Red and Odie

Today, we honor and remember the incredible souls of Red and Odie, who have crossed the rainbow bridge. These two amazing horses were more than just companions—they were master teachers who shared their wisdom with all who had the privilege to know them. Their presence graced our lives with countless life lessons, reminding us of the beauty, strength, and depth of the bond between horse and human.

After the heartbreaking loss of Red last week, Odie has now left this earth to join his beloved companion. Their bond was unbreakable, and it brings us some solace to know that they are together once more, running free in the eternal fields.

Red and Odie will be deeply missed, not only by those of us who had the honor of working with them but by all who understand the profound connection we share with our horses. They played a significant role in my journey with horses, and their legacy will continue to inspire and guide us.

Sending love and light to Irene, Carolyn, and everyone who loved these majestic beings. May their spirits forever run free, and may we carry their lessons in our hearts.

Nan

08/23/2024

Thank you for your unwavering support on this journey as we work tirelessly to bring Rescued Hearts to life.

We understand the anticipation is growing, and to express our gratitude, we are thrilled to re-release our original 20-minute sneak preview for free from now through August 28.

Get your free ticket on our website: RescuedHeartsFilm.com

This special preview is our way of sharing a glimpse of the love, hope, and healing that this film represents.

While we are in the final stages of completing the full film, your support means the world to us. If you feel moved to contribute, donations are warmly welcomed and will help us cross the finish line. We are so grateful to have you with us on this journey.

🩵 Dana, Producer + Krisanna, Director

08/22/2024

Carolyn Resnick is Seeking to Adopt a Companion Horse for Odie

As most of you know, Irene and I recently lost our horse, Red, at the age of 27. Irene had him for 23 years alongside his brother, Odie. Her life revolved around these two horses, who were more than just pets—they were family. While I also have a hole in my heart the one who has suffered the most is Odie, Red's brother of 26 years. They had a very strong bond and were always together.

Odie is very depressed. Though he calls out for his brother less frequently now, you can still feel his pain. Most days, he stands and looks in the direction where he last saw Red, as he was being loaded into the horse trailer on his way to the hospital.

We believe Red is watching from the other side of the Rainbow Bridge, helping us find a new partner for his beloved buddy, Odie.

Red and Odie worked together for six years, teaching programs at our Dances with Horses Ranch. They both loved the programs and the connections they formed with their human students.

We are now looking for a chestnut gelding to keep Odie company. Ideally, we are seeking a horse around 15 years old who can be our forever horse—one that can continue to help us teach people how to become better friends and partners with horses, fostering a heart-to-heart connection. At Dances with Horses Ranch, our programs focus on bringing out a horse's natural desire to play and celebrate the bond between horse and human, leading to a joyous dance together in harmony and unity.

If anyone knows of a horse that might be a good fit, please contact us. This horse does not need to be trained; all he needs is to know what he likes and doesn’t like, and to love people. We will take care of the rest.

We are looking for a sound horse that would love all of us—an optimistic horse, like Red, who deserves the best home ever. We would love to hear from you. Odie has a special preference for chestnut geldings.