Nervous system regulation is the key to outstanding results and success with horses

[@BMRWilliams]

I've applied this method with a horse that's a very anxious trail rider. It only took a few sessions of doing this on the trail before she was trekking with a nice relaxed walk, as though she had never left home. Any moment there was concern, or something scary, we stopped and waited. Any moment her ears stopped flicking back and forth for over 5 seconds, I bent to a stop and drew her back in. The result was a complete transformation.

[@C.Hawkshaw]

Wow!

[@StephanieFranck-u7d]

I did the same thing with my mare! She would freeze up and not want to go forward and i just waited for a lick and a chew before asking her to go on. Sometimes it took a few minutes. Now she walks forward nice and relaxed and if she gets worried, it might only take less than a minute before she licks and chews and continues on

[@BMRWilliams]

I would add that the only time this didn't work was when she got excited about feeding time. She could hear the other horses being fed on our return trip. Expecting her to stop and wait in this instance was not helpful. What I ended up doing was "carefully" taking her back, then I worked her in the arena for around 10 minutes before untacking her.

[@kerronvince1753]

This is one of the best videos I ever seen. I hope everyone sees this.

[@ProjectHealthy-j1c]

Agreed. 8 days. Patience - for the win!

[@Kas873]

Update: She loaded fully into the trailer today!! In total, around 3 months, 4-5 days a week (10-15 mins a day), of low-to-no pressure, with treat rewards. Today, we walked up and into the trailer with no hesitation, no stopping at the threshold. Once we were in, I gave her an apple, and she just hung out for a while, looking out the windows, and assessing the space. Zero signs of stress or anxiety. When she decided she was done, we walked out! This is from a horse who once reared and landed on her back to avoid going in. I'm so proud of our progress, and of her ability to overcome her fear! Original: This is how I'm trailer-training my mare! She hates the loading part. We just go and hang out near the trailer. If she shows any sign of stress or anxiety, we stop and walk away, and come back when she's calm. Yesterday she put her two front feet in on her own!! 😄

[@sadmimikyu8807]

Great video! I started looking into this a while ago and finally earned the trust of a 4 year old mini shettie. I gave her time and attention and boundaries (don't eat me) with the help of a trainer. I noticed how she never showed any sign of fear - just pony ideas that people said was stubborness. Now she shows her vulnerable sides and I can show her what she was afraid of is not dangerous so we explore the world together. All this came about because I stopped trying to teach her anything. We just went on walks together, enjoyed our time, lots of grounding for me, lots of trying to feel her next to me and earning her trust by letting her see that she can count on me. I want to be even more patient and take even more time with her. This seems slower to some but it is the opposite in the end.

[@jenniferlehman326]

Like the Tortoise and the Hare. The Tortoise won that race. Slow and steady will win the race every time!! Great job!! Keep doing what you're doing, be the leader that she knows she can trust to keep her safe by doing exactly what you're doing right now. Well done you!! Happy New Year to you and your family!! From a Retired Paramedic and Horse Trainer in Ontario, Canada, Jenn 💖 🇨🇦

[@sadmimikyu8807]

@@jenniferlehman326 Aww you are so kind! To you and your family as well: Happy New Year from Germany! Yes, slow and steady and lots of relationship work makes it easier in the end. Also this method is more in sync with my nature and what comes easy to me.

[@jenniferlehman326]

@@sadmimikyu8807 As my family is from Germany on my fathers side, I have to say Danke!!!

[@chti341]

I have practiced the nervous system regulation stuff for only a few days through the videos on the subscription page and it’s working out really great for my horse and for me as well. We’ve both made huge chances in little time and I think I can’t imagine what the outcome in a few weeks or months will be. It’s gonna be more than I can think of… such wonderful work Warwick, thank you so much for sharing all of this with us.

[@hunterG60k]

Fantastic video, thank you for the reminder that, however patient I think I am, I can be more patient! So important for those horses that go inside themselves and pretend to be ok. On another note, something I noticed when the mare was anxious was the triangular shape of her chin; I work as a bit fitter and this is a sign of tension that I look for when assessing horses. When they are being ridden, this can be a sign they're not happy in their bit - it can also be plenty of other things as well! But I just thought it was interesting :)

[@sidilicious11]

I will be looking for these things next time I see my horse!

[@Aloha0088]

This is so validating, thank you. I've always worked this way, coming from an equine massage background before ever riding.

[@mariekelsey2038]

This is absolute GOLD. Thank you for articulating this for us. So so helpful for me.

[@TheCactusTreeStudio]

So lovely to see this mare again ❤

[@lisakuehn6436]

Thank you for these examples. I’ve been following you for several years and you have helped me with my mare who came to me with these “locked-up” tendencies. She would be obedient, however she would twitch her skin over her withers and shoulders area when I was with her. You helped me recognize that this was tension and to honor that to help her relax. She no longer does this.

[@WarwickSchiller]

Great work.

[@bsnhilow]

This is EPIC!! Brings together so many little pieces of the puzzle. That same "great connection, but..." is the same situation I had with my first mare, that feeling that she was always looking somewhere else. I tried to figure out why and/or how to break through. I finally did with basic ground work, hanging out, playing with her, and discovered a truly fun loving personality! And then she left me... Another mare became my "ride," while my new mare was coming on board. The "new ride" came with a lot of baggage which I've slowly begun to peel away layers using much ground work, massage (Masterson - watching for the same lip quiver, lick&chew, yawning releases). I've recently quit trying to move forward and have gone back to the beginning, working on being able to stand. And relax. Both were nearly impossible for her! I've known this mare since she was first bought. She would do what was asked (and she was asked a lot), until she blew up (13 rabbits), often disciplined for being naughty, and finally was left as a pasture pet since she wasn't working out. She is teaching me so much!! The other mare, my youngster, came basically unhandled. (What was I thinking?! ;) ) Have spent over a year just doing ground work (learning how to) to prepare her for riding. She had to be taught ALL the things a foal should have learned. And she was very opinionated about it! Both these mares are super sensitive, pushy, and I might add large! Your principles of training are helping me so much with the tools, patience and confidence to work with these horses. And THIS is going to be the next best thing to back up and work on!! It will help to solve problems, break through the crust of the older mare and, even better, help me to do a better job with my new mare as I stuart under saddle. Thank You for your excellent books and videos, for taking the time to share it with the rest of us!

[@amandaparon5687]

Thank you! So important to the horse & us humans need to learn how to regulate our nervous systems as well! Thank you for all you do for horses & their people ❤

[@ndopfi-ne8vn]

…It‘s slow and it‘s boring. But, and it doesn‘t take any skill, it just take patience… Tausend Dank, people should believe! Großartiger Mann, Mr. Schiller😊

[@colleenmonahan3114]

Thank you for posting these GEMS of your hard earned, experienced knowledge. As a senior (on a thin budget), though always looking to learn more, I so appreciate your generous sharing on YT. Best wishes.

[@SheriBentley-no7fz]

Whew, what a great eye-opener for me. Now I know what my mare is telling me. Thanks!

[@chfgypsy]

Time and patience is so important. Thank you for making this video.

[@emerwatchorn6971]

This is profound. So simple yet has a massive impact. Less is more i like that, from a previous commentor. Thank you Warwick

[@traceymiller2038]

Being just allowing patience WOW thank you I recently have a 16yr old thb come to me who from the start i realised had shut down.... your video's have been a great help and especially this one .... others I have been doing not knowing to put into words just been my way all my life with horses .... but this is new though not unknown just not done because soooo boring not enough patience thank you

[@calista1280]

Fantastic insight into the horse's physiology! I hope you work, a few weeks or months with the owners, too. Getting them connected to and in sync psychologically with their horses... It would make a much more successful outcome possible and build a long-term deep relationship as a true partnership if they have built the foundation of trust & understanding with their horse. I'd love to have this experience myself to see how amazing the horse/human connection can be!

[@WarwickSchiller]

I work with owners through my online video library and clinics.

[@krismaggs7488]

I really enjoyed hearing your ideas and relate to it tremendously/ it’s in our dna to understand as you so kindly share…. I’m touched by my furthering my education about horses / people . Thank you

[@carlshakespear7345]

Your training videos have helped me realize that a 2and one half year old I recently purchased that had a few rides but was nearly impossible to catch needed this help. Once haltered and standing near she seemed quiet and ready to saddle and ride but I’m sure she was just frozen. Your instruction has put me on a path of developing trust with her that is going well now.

[@Obsidianoak]

Midset is important accross the board Thanks for the video!

[@horseygirl70]

Wow. That is amazing! I guess I'm doing okay. My mule yawns a lot when I work with him. My mare does not. I will have to watch her more carefully. She is probably okay. As her attention is usually good, she does not seem worried. But she also does not lick and chew that much. Thanks so much for showing that.

[@oranges8302]

Thank you. I learned so much from this video. My nervous system calmed just watching the video!

[@AhavahFarmProductions]

Well done, Warwick-!

[@Sniff_K9_Coach]

Such great information. I have been doing this with my green appy mare. She has been getting tense when working. She is not like this in the paddock. I looked at her lip and yes was tight. So i have been patient and waiting for the chew for the past several sessions. Our sessions have been great. I can rush as am a busy person, this is relaxing me more as well 😂.

[@carolhatfield2900]

Going to work on this with my new TWH gelding, who is very sensitive. I think he was overwhelmed with his training prior to coming to me, so I'm having to backtrack and work on a few things. He's super sweet and willing, and now I can do this with him to really help him self-regulate and be relaxed with me. Thank you!

[@dianereiser6417]

Your seat is fantastic! I watch a lot of men on horses and most have them rounded buck back lol…

[@johnberry1107]

Vocabulary words aside the key is understanding.

[@liamrooney5314]

This is such a great example of how effective nervous system regulation is. I'm thinking it would do wonders for the rider as well (speaking from experience).

[@tessmonro7102]

Don't know what you have a whole lot more subscribers!!

[@veronicasmith1147]

Thanks fpr this steve time is the answer

[@mm25937]

Sooooo good this video..... ❤❤❤❤

[@vj-xc4qc]

Great insights. Thanks for sharing. Very meaningful. 👌

[@wendylow5748]

That was really cool to observe. I'm having a super fun time reading your book (3rd time to because it takes a while to sink in..) and applying to my OTTB. Taking my time too.

[@bliss5133]

Thanks ❤

[@christinafragis7224]

Thanks for sharing !

[@faithfarmforever4795]

this is all So true..I nearly Ruined my mustang..He wasn't really "just fine" he was going through the "natural" horsemanship meuvers but once I learned to "see" his facial expressions, his head position etc - i could finally "see" he wasn't fine at all..And I almost rode him in that frame of mind.. I had sent him off to a trainer to do the 1st rides..After the 1st week he couldn't even catch him. I went out to see him then as well and Everything scared him - me trying to brush him even which we had been doing for over 2 years..I took him outside to let him hand graze believing he might relax - the trainer had an obstacle course full of grass so we just walked around - my horse kept trying to "perform" at every obstacle we walked by - even though I wasn't asking him..but he was attempting with all his might to just do the trick, walk over the bridge, step on the rubber tire platform so it would all just go away (i knew something was very wrong but wasnt entirely sure at that time what "It" was) by the end of the second week ine day he just took off running and running and running (mind you he was all alone..no one even near him in about a 2 acre feild) ran right through the gate and busted it. (luckily he was not harmed). i took him home the next day - I believe he had so much pent up tension he lost his mind and that's why he took off running. I had to start over with him..gave him a few months to decompress and am now working with a lady who helps me "see" how he really feels about things..we have had several breakthroughs where his has blown snot all over me, licked, chewed, yawned..all good signs that tension is coming out of him..good video thanks

[@kaja3131]

Hi Mr Schiller, good day! I commented on a tiktok video of yours but i will do it here as well maybe you will see the comment. I was working with this horse that would have lines underneath the eye, like worry lines over the eye, but they would appear underneath the eyes. It looked a bit like one of those little hairs underneath the eye would get pulled on and the lid would slightly get pulled down and lines showed ( nobody would pull on anything of course im just explaining how it looked like). Very unusual to me. He would mostly charge at me when he gets that look in his eyes. ( it happens when i lead him, feed him, lunge him, brush him, no rules when he would attack. He jumped on his now ex owner, ripped his shirt and jacked of him. I never could turn my back on him. Anyway I couldn’t find anything about it, and i never saw it before, he was a stallion at the time, we did a vet check because i thought maybe he was in pain, found out his hooves were a bit on the shorter side so that could have been the pain part?Maybe it was a combination of fear, aggression and pain? Not sure. It mostly stopped now, he got gelded, his hooves are fine, he is out in the pasture, but definitely a bit cheeky with the other horses, even though he is the youngest and smallest, pushing them around, overstaying his welcome, nothing too bad but he has some dominant energy towards them.

[@rainydays4673]

Thank you so much.

[@gnp4360]

No volume for your last few videos😢 All others have sound

[@sophiesaraby1105]

Very wise words

[@PregnantMareRescue]

❤❤❤

[@faithbrogger2720]

I’m not sure how to apply this to my mare who is not calm if we leave the pasture at all

[@yolanda-xm5py]

During the 8 days of working with her at the fence, what was your response to her scooting away? Start again from scratch?

[@LouiseDyett]

can I ask why you were carrying the flag when you were riding her in the beginning ?

[@valeriehudson7276]

I also get a take from her eye - - she doesn't look relaxed to me - - . Yes the subtle clues Thank slow and patient.

[@Originaljelly77]

Less is more ..I love it

[@C.Hawkshaw]

OMG my dog does this. She got kicked in the head by a mother deer.

[@jessicavindstierna6014]

My biggest problem is that my horse will not stand still. As soon as I ask her to do that, she stays for a few seconds and then walks away. What should I do to train that?

[@WarwickSchiller]

Loose or on line?

[@ItsBlissfulAcres]

been there, ugh

[@ronmccabe7164]

Your connection first philosophy pretty much negates all the previous gymnastics that were needed to get a stable horse plus they are even more stable than the best old techniques.

[@MD-bu3xc]

I haven't seen a relaxed American in over 20 years. Americans don't do patience and aren't very good at letting things be and unfold in their own time.

[@ellenspeaks6787]

Wow.. this isna great lesson for me

[@stevebarlow4448]

What a load of baloney,

[@WarwickSchiller]

Thanks for your support Steve!

[@cynthiahowden4165]

Thankyou!