Liberty training?

[EventerPony]

Just wondering about liberty training. I was wondering when why and how. I am really interested in building my bond with Sunny, is it just running around tackless shouting “Me and my horse are connected!” or are there actual methods? Do any of you do it? Keep talking.

 

[windand rain]

Just don't do it seen far to many videos of so called liberty work where the horsses are stressed and bordering on aggressive better do consistant ground work to create respect and flexibility. That way they chose to be with you.

 

[Shay]

Despite the ressurected zombie thread on this.... Liberty work is highly specialised. I don't deny that there are folk who have herd of liberty horses and make good money on it. But for us more run of the mill folk with only one, or only one at a time, it is often ends badly. And anyone who think they are more "connected" as a result has been spending far too much money on Parelli rubbish.

Good consitent ground work - which can be done without rope / headcollar - is far more effective, has far less risk of frightening the horse (who frankly has no idea what you are asking him to do) and has better results in the long term. If you are looking for something to do unmounted at the moment check out horse agility (you can do that without rope / headcollar too - but not at first.) Loads of fun!

 

[MissTyc]

I second the commends already made.

I "play" with my horses at liberty but it is just normal groundwork that gets better and better and better with consistency and a little mindfulnes. For me it's not about "connection/disconnection" so much as working on solid cues for groundwork so we (myself + horses) all understand each other as best we can. I mostly lead without headcollars around the yard and my horses stay where I put them and if I chase them off they always circle back to watch me for the next cue, but we leave it there. It's about safe handling and relaxation.

It was a useful trick when I fell off out hacking by myself a few years ago after my horse tripped in canter, and he immediately circled back and waited for me to get up. He might have done that anyway. Also help grow easy youngster that are used to following rules.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I have not read any books or had any instruction in liberty work so maybe I am missing the point of it, but I do use it very, very occasionally as an extension of groundwork. I like using it to check my communication skills with respect to 'sending' and 'drawing in' cues and also rhythm and energy. If Amber and Dolly know what to do without a rope on then they obviously understand. I don't use a lunge line/stick either to increase energy as that seems to defeat the object. Ditto a round pen (or a makeshift one with jumps). If barriers are keeping them on a circle and near me then it does not mean they are following me/my direction. But it is once in a blue moon and I don't consider it either 'playing' or any great statement on our 'connection'. For me it is just about checking out understandung first, and to a lesser degree, willingness. But I think a horse can grumpily comply with our requests at liberty too just as they can grumpily comply with anything, No horse ever has to actually to do what we want anyway. They choose to. And the same goes for liberty work. They can do it without enjoying it.

In terms of how, the first time with Amber I just took off the lines and 'lunged her' with an imaginary rope. It worked well. And if I forget her halter on the way to the field I can lead her in with an imaginary lead rope too. But perhaps that is not really liberty at all?! I'd be interested if someone with real expertise in this could post.

 

[canteron]

Despite the ressurected zombie thread on this.... Liberty work is highly specialised. I don't deny that there are folk who have herd of liberty horses and make good money on it. But for us more run of the mill folk with only one, or only one at a time, it is often ends badly. And anyone who think they are more "connected" as a result has been spending far too much money on Parelli rubbish.

Good consitent ground work - which can be done without rope / headcollar - is far more effective, has far less risk of frightening the horse (who frankly has no idea what you are asking him to do) and has better results in the long term. If you are looking for something to do unmounted at the moment check out horse agility (you can do that without rope / headcollar too - but not at first.) Loads of fun!

Actually I completely disagree. Think of it as a test of your training. If you are clear enough with your body signals and consistent enough with your training you should be able to take the rope off and get the same result. If you can’t then you need to rethink your methods.
It is also the most enormous fun and the best feeling when it works.

 

[SEH]

Two horses I trained myself in natural horsemanship and they picked it up instantly so I really enjoy it. I never bought the branded equipment bar one 12ft rope for groundwork, I made my own or bought much cheaper versions online. For me, I have one horse that I did it with purely to bond with when I was younger (Even with 5 years off he never forget a single part of it) and one more recently that I natural horsemanship trained because he's pushy and big and it helped him with respect and helped us be equal without a battle. Also he was one of those horses that was very frustrated and constantly seemed to want to communicate better (Often biting for attention when cross or following me around all the time) He hates to be lunged or controlled, and whilst he is well behaved and does as he is asked with conventional methods, Liberty is his favourite. I believe he enjoys the fact that its more of a 'conversation' than regular training and it keeps his brain in gear the whole time. I also noticed his non-liberty attitude improved also. I wholeheartedly think he thinks of it more as a 'choice' than a 'requirement' and his attitude has improved therefore to no end. I do think people invest too much faith in it however.

I agree and disagree with Shay. I have found that certain horses respond much better to liberty ect and that they completely understand what you are asking. But, I do believe that good and consistent ground work is essential and must go hand in hand with things like liberty training.

I do not think its beneficial to every horse and I definitely don't think its right for every person, but for those it is, its pretty nice to have a different path to go down if they want/need. My first horse I did it with was perfectly happy being trained as 'normal' and would have been the same without this kind of training I believe aka it was just 'cool' for me to do it as a teenager, whereas the second one I have trained as an adult really seems to have benefitted from it. Perhaps not totally from liberty.... this is probably more to do with general natural horsemanship.... but particularly his attitude to me and schooling has improved, instead of 'arguing' with him (I.e. "Let go of my coat!" or "Watch your feet!" - which obviously doesn't work - becomes a small signal to back up and respect my space) he can respond to slight signals that he completely understands. Simple groundwork with him did not get very far.