WORKING AT LIBERTY FOR DRESSAGE

[@jenniferkeeling1126]

I really admire your willingness to share a vision in progress. In a world of perfection, this is a rare and vulnerable quality that deserves recognition ☺️

[@MP-bx3uj]

I've been watching your whole video library this weekend... This video in particular made my heart feel full. I so appreciate the way you work with horses. You are so so kind and easy for them to trust. I feel inspired :)

[@brendawhite6540]

Pretty Finn! Love the kindness and gentleness you have with the horses. I'm sure they appreciate it too😀

[@saradastrickman6406]

What a fabulous 'pony'!

[@nitefox4411]

I am on the same journey. Life, liberty and happiness for ourselves and our horses. What do you have when you take away the bridle, bit and the spur? The TRUTH.

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

I can't express enough how much I enjoy your talent as a horseman, your incredible insight,and content of the beautiful videos you make. When I watch your videos I find myself holding my breath because I feel like I'm right there with you. You teach me something new every time I watch your videos. Always thank you for sharing, much love from Portsmouth Virginia!

[@kristinkester9392]

I like the sensitivity that you show toward all horses!

[@danielepayen-jaekel8104]

What a sweet horse! Thanks for the training info, very useful and better than anything I have seen on this aspect. Thanks!

[@Patti-1962]

I have been riding hunter/jumper for many years ( I'm 56). I never have liked the "I'm dominant and you (my horse) have to do what I tell you". I have seen people jerking on the horses mouth, hitting them if they aren't perfect. I have never done that to a horse in my life, and I never will. What I have worked on is my own emotional state as I'm riding. I stay soft and caring, and it seems to me that if I tense up before a jump... the horse will say"well if your tense then there is something scary so I better stop". So much of what a horse does incorrect is because of rider error. I wish your philosophy of training horses could be the way all trainers teach!

[@barbaragreene6592]

L0L. He is so sweet, he just wants to love on you n b near you. While you are doing your training, you might want to use your hand as a training tool to get him to come to u. When you want him to come back to you just extend your hand n open n close it in a come motion. Just open, close, open, close your hand n fingers in a come fashion. The horse will learn that’s when you want him to come to you. Maybe this will help you to let your horse know what you want from him. Love your horse n how gentle you are with them. That means a lot to your horse n says a lot about the kind of person you are.

[@nicoleharper8867]

Ive been following you for a few years now... and this fell into my feed. I miss this stuff on your channel. Im natural and interested in dressage and you are the only other person ive found with this combination other that Linda Parelli. This is a sweet sweet combination that drew me to your channel in the first place. Would be lovely if every now and again you went back to your grass roots of education. Yes i understand that not many people understand horses communication, but that was the grass the birth of you channel and would be grate to see once again.

[@nitefox4411]

Joseph, what you are doing is incredibly subtle. There are so many factors to consider in this. A big one is the personality of the horse. This fellow doesn't seem like much of a flat ears type but with too much pressure he can certainly get that way quick. All the greats like Resnick, Lorenzo, Haute Ecole like Hempling and Nevsorov have some flat ears depending upon which horse.

[@margaretmetzger8694]

Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness ,has to include horses,and dressage for me .

[@bobbieseelhoff1131]

Love your phlsophy of horse training. Want a horse to do for you because he wants to and it's natural. NO beatings or harshness only creats a stressed out horse.

[@kimbourke4775]

This is excellent for people starting Liberty work. Thank you. Irena Gubina does some great Liberty work as well.

[@lusitanocowgirl]

Love this!! I train liberty WTC at least 10 min every day from the time he was 2yr (12 now). We can side pass, send, halt, retrieve and yield both ends. Came in really handy the other day when I left his stall door ajar 😳OOPS and he went out...for a walk. In lieu of going after him, I gave my verbal/body cues, he immediately turned 180 and came to me from a distance of 10 yards-quietly and safely. Awesome emergency ‘brake’🤣 (& also) funny ‘party trick’ for slightly panicked spectators🤛✅🤠. Keep on sharing this ‘cross training’ with the Dressage community. It is the TRUE 🔑 to keeping our horses WITH US ALWAYS 👍💕🐴

[@peightonstorm1053]

He seems like he doesn't know what to do without being attached to a rope or a rain you have to let a horse be a horse a little bit it makes all the difference and you are very gentle

[@karroten]

What I like about this approach is the potential for developing a very subtle connection. I can see this translating well to using light aids in the saddle. What is missing from this approach for me is…JOY! When you allow a horse to draw into you with enthusiasm, there is an unmistakable sense of play. Would you encourage this with every horse? No, safety is key and you have to consider personality. But letting go of traditional dominance theory within a safe and trusting partnership creates a space for magic and delight- an essential component of the “imaginary lead rope.” I’ve never seen a liberty horse pin its ears, so I’m confused by that comment - sometimes a deep listening or trying-so-hard type of ear position can be mistaken for aggression…

[@michellep9303]

I totally agree with working them on the ground as it’s so important but I like your approach and your point referring to the ear pinning with some of the at liberty work. I want my horse to be happy as well and that has always bothered me when I see that with some of the liberty work.

[@monikamaloney9517]

Your Horses are very lucky to be with You . Gentleman for Horses ,i hope always, one love Yes I.

[@SLR33406]

Life Liberty and the pursuit of Dressage. 😁😉😉

[@bonblue4993]

OMG Finn!!! He loves you tons!!

[@ajsmitten2819]

Awww baby Finn. What a sweetheart

[@lu-nevanniekerk6610]

I love the fact that you allow the horse to be mentally engaged. There are too many competition horses out there that are not mentally and emotionally involved in each training session.

[@stalmollink1644]

I teach my horses everything in liberty first. All with the voice. For me it is very important because in front of the carriage I only have my voice. They understand things quicker and walk more on their own legs instead of hanging on you. So I agree totally with you and hope lots of riders will start doing more groundwork and liberty work instead of just in the saddle.

[@lusitanocowgirl]

Stal Mollink agreed & INDEED! I drive as well as ride (we drive them all first as youngsters). I wouldn’t have the nice riding horse with out that important foundation. Cheers👍🐴

[@melodieschwieger1035]

Keep pursuing the journey Joseph! I believe it will be very rewarding for you.

[@rebeccatobler2635]

You can see how much horses connect with you...so sweet! I agree with another comment, I wish there were more like you, I love your videos they are so helpful :-)

[@lisabaker9036]

OMG, I love that horse! what a sweetheart. and very pretty too. Looks like he'd make a nice hunter.Although I'm sure he's dressage.😊

[@itsnina7989]

omg at 3:06 the sweetest thing ever. :)

[@candyangelart]

I love watching your videos and I am learning so much! I love the classical dressage and focusing on giving the illusion of the horse doing all of the moves on their own and you being there along for the ride but still having that connection. Have you ever watched Alexander Nevzerov? I love his work of teaching / riding dressage and the airs above the ground without using a bridle!

[@grduate]

Gosh, he's beautiful

[@SLR33406]

Nicely done! Earning trust.. so the mind & body follow a place that makes them feel secure/safe/respected. 😁

[@sineadcavaleira5176]

What a beautiful boy. I love your videos, the camera angle made it so easy to follow along with what you were doing.

[@sheliaellison7226]

Horses are horses right? Think the video would have been better if you had started filming further into the liberty work session. Just my suggestion because you know what your doing. I do agree about the type works looking like the horses are working from too much pressure. It is taking it too far into the aggressive. It’s a balance of passive to aggressive. Love your videos and your horses are willing to work for you. Thank you.

[@kippen64]

I've unwittingly always done the liberty work in the way that you were demonstrating in this video. It's because I always want the horse to be aware of me. It's also not in my personality to be hunting a horse around the arena. For me, driving a horse away from me is a punishment. I used that tool to explain to my current horse that his very aggressive behaviour at feed time was unacceptable and that he could return when his attitude improved.

[@renaeboonstra54]

Wonderful Joseph! 🙏

[@lala-zs9si]

so sweet joseph

[@jillymet]

I love the idea of this.😍 How do you know when they are with you

[@snickercappydo]

Why are you using side reins at time though? Isn’t that manipulation? Just asking because it seems you’re description in this video is different than what I see in other videos.

[@lebonnie1212]

So...often when I work my mare at liberty she will come in close to me with her head, down and her neck curved toward me and swing her haunches out but staying on the circle. She will almost pin her ears but I don’t feel threatened. She always looks me in the eye when she does it and I don’t know what that means. When I point the flag at her shoulder she goes back out on the circle with no fuss. It’s driving me nuts. What’s she saying to me?

[@PETRAS214]

......Straightness Training on a Circle at Liberty

[@PETRAS214]

Nice Try!!! If you like, watch KZbin Straightness Training on a Circle by Marijke de Jong 👍🏻😃🐴