Creating Relaxation with an Anxious Dressage Prospect 

I participated in a study with a professor who was studying horse behavior. She had us sit in a chair in the middle of a small paddock with our horse. We wore a heart monitor and could watch the number go up or down. We were to relax and take deep breaths to drop our heart rate for as long as it took. The more our heart rate dropped, the closer the horse came. I'll never forget when my heart rate really dropped my horse was behind me with her nose on my shoulder. I still use this technique today.

This is the greatest transformation of a professional horse trainer I have seen so far. Thank you for being willing to risk everything to gain the ability to listen to horses. I respect the hell out of that. It gives me hope.

Funny thing about a horse: the more you try to keep his feet still, the more he needs to move his feet. Conversely, the more you allow him to move his feet, the easier he finds it to stand quietly.....

"he knows when you know, and he knows when you don't"

I must say, I like this "new" Warwick Schiller very much! 😘

The secret is awareness, the calm mind is seen by every horse. That is basic herd dynamics. Glad you are walking the path, and yes, you have changed a great deal.

Warwick you give a great lesson in how our ego can get in the way of great communication - you used to come in and 'TAKE OVER' ; now you come in and communicate - great lesson - it works with all humans too! :)

I love this, Warwick. My first thought was move his feet and get him focused. But I see now that it really isn't necessary. I'm sure it would've worked eventually, but not before amping him up even more. What he really needed was someone saying, "I'm fine, you're fine, we're all fine, you can relax!" Thanks so much for sharing this new outlook on training with us.

A well timed "nothing" can be a big "something" for a horse

Some of us have "it" and some of us don't. Even Warwick can't explain, but it is attitude and peace, trust and confidence. Being totally aware, and staying in the moment. This is not going to happen tomorrow, it did not happen yesterday, which is gone and cannot be relived, it is happening now. Good on you Warwick, every video you put up is valid.

It must be nerve-wracking for a horse when a human is in charge, because by their standards we are practically blind and deaf and chronically distracted. It must be like being in the car with a drunk driver. No wonder they react so strongly to someone who has honed their perception and really pays attention.

I am absolutely convinced that horses can read a human like a book. I know they communicate using body language but I suspect their awareness of it is far higher than we give them credit for. I think your NZ horse gave a great demonstration of that awareness.

It’s amazing what the inside of a human can do for the sanity of a horse.... absolutely agree with your concept here.

The epitome of the horseman's saying, "Show me your horse and I'll show you the man".

Horses are great barometers of energy & intention. What a wonderful example this is of that fact.

That was so clear and awesome! You became his "anchor." He knew everything was fine because you were feeling good. He wanted to be close to you-that was a good place to be.

Warwick I love the you you have become with horses. I love how you know that we don't need to dominate our horses that it is all in our relationship. I've been following you for a while and when you started teaching relationship first I have now fallen in love. Thanks.

In the absence of fear there is only love.

You take the lead rope and the horse, who has clearly watched your videos, relaxes and knows he can trust you to be the lead. Love it.

I love how the horse wanted to go to you even before it was time for him to do so. :) Also, loving your inner work!

Beautiful horse, ( they all are.) That awesome transition with minimal effort is just a reflection on the horseman’s trust, confidence, experience and his unobtrusive communication ..... made me smile ♥️

I love your honesty, your honesty about losing your train of thought after talking about the wind, and your honesty about how you've changed and that it is a very personal journey which cannot be explained with a plan, a method, and you have all the answers. Its one of the most honest pieces of educational guidance I've ever heard, literally ever.

I was watching Listen to Your Horse blog and Jini was with her husband with a guy who uses hawks to help show you where your energy is. Interesting when we are closed, the bird get anxious and tries to get away; but, when we are open you can walk right up to the hawk.....very counter intuitive. This, your work with this horse, is an example of energy work that is just beautiful. What a blessing that you are on this inner work journey. I'm delighted that your audience stayed connected with you.

My horse can be really anxious. Hmm. Sometimes... And I am a very anxious person that worries about the future a lot. And I can't hold my thoughts in one place for nothing. Unless of course I'm worrying about the future.

I refer to it as a “relaxed mental attitude” on our behalf. Everything I’ve studied about horses tells me they have a sixth sense like dogs. You take any well behaved dog or horse and bring someone around them that isn’t a horse or dog person an you will see a change in behavior in that animal, not because they have done anything wrong but because the horse or dogs sixth sense says this person isn’t relaxed mentally. Why are they nervous around me “says the horse/dog” and because there not mentally relaxed the horse or dog feel as though they should be nervous around them. They can sense anxiety in other animals and humans. Your not nervous around horses Warwick and that will naturally put them at ease....👍

This is perhaps the most powerful video I've seen in a long time!!

So so good. I have a super busy horse and it helps him when I remember to breath and relax. The more I would try to force him to relax, the more unrelated he became. We need constant reminders to breath!!

Haha LOVE this! Sounds like you discovered what we know and see ALL the time in therapeutic riding! Your energy i.e. your "stuff" or mood, your ability, or disability is VERY easily felt and picked up on by them! We advise that as instructors and horse leaders we have to leave our "stuff" at the gate, so they can focus on the therapy students "stuff" and not ours. You need to try to be a calm assertive energy and be "in the moment" like they live.

This morning I took my new horse outside of his stall for the first time since the arrival in the new barn yesterday. I kept telling myself to keep my arm loose at the end of the lead (and not stick it out to the side 😂) and our communication started. He wandered off mentally a few times but came back. There was a moment when I failed him because I was anxious to get pass the horses on their paddocks with him in a narrow corridor on the way to the sand arena. All of them came to see him really close and this is when my gelding became a stallion again in his behaviour (he was castrated 3 weeks ago)... He pulled all the moves horses you show do but in the end we safely returned to an equilibrium - and the present. It is wonderful to know that all the self-development I have been doing for myself in the last 3-4 years will eventually shine through. Thank you for this video.

My horse gets like that any time someone else has been trying to handle him, especially if I'm not there. He freaks out if someone else tries to hold his leadrope and I go out of sight. I learned that about him the hard way.

These videos help improve my relationships with people.

Horses respect leaders, leaders are where the calm is and you my friend are where there is calm for these magnificent beasts.

I love watching these videos! I learn so much from Warwick’s compassion and patience!

He is such a beautiful horse.

Warwick, bloody brilliant, thank you for your courage to be vulnerable, and therein transform horses & us humans if we are brave tough to be so humble !!

I just started watching your videos and I LOVE them. I'm a psychology major, currently I work at a rehab center for teenage girls and soon I'll be working with autistic children. I also grew up working with horses, using lots of the same methods you use. I also love meditating and practicing mindfulness. There are so many parallels between what you do with horses and what I do with people, and I think a lot of what I do I learned from working with horses. Anyway, I love your methods, and it makes me really excited when I see more and more parallels between working with horses and people.

Totally agree

"I am doing the Obiwan Knobi with him right now" :D xD ... you must admit: It looks exactly like it! :) :D xD

Very interesting. Puts words and conscience onto things I've been using for years without really knowing. Your inside state of mind/emotions is the most important. However, I think you need a little bit of technique for if and when things don't work out. Until they do. I'd like to learn more from Warwick ! Finally horse training is seen as a deep martial art.

Great visual with a narrative that explains what's going on and what's gone on. Thank you Warwick.

It was entertaining yet sad looking at the faces of the audience. They wanted a magic pill. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.

Another great video ... How am I only just discovering you!?

I also find that some performance people (dressage specifically) seem to want their horses to be wound up all the time and hard to lead. They seem to think that it will translate to more forward movement under saddle. They mostly don't want their horses to be calm or relaxed.

So - the horse sniffed you, walked just a little bit around - and found relief next to you! Amazing! I couldn´t see any "doing" (?) - it looked more like the horse sensed your presence or "being" instantly. Humans are mainly more focused on doing instead of being, which is THE problem - creating havoc on earth. Here´s a human-being living up to the potential of the "being" part. What the horse needed - and the world needs. Just so wonderful to see!

❤❤❤ I'm soooooooo lucky to have found you!!! So grateful 🙏🙏🙏

This is not only the response from horses but, dogs, cats, children and more. When we learn to quietly observe in the present from moment to moment we feel differently to ourselves & others. We are more accessible and more aware and there is nothing to fear from us. We’re not scheming for an advantage, power, aggression or some other selfish intent.

Mindfullness and respect, a winner every time. Thanks for sharing your journey and being able to explain it so well.

There are few articles around about the research into horses being able to synchronize their heart rate to a lead horse or person, one of them said that a horse can hear your heartbeat from 4 feet away. I can't say I've read into it enough to say it's absolutely true but there was a study done on it by the swedish university of agriculture. To me makes sense and can see it playing a role for why this horses behaviour changed so dramatically

It is an energy we give off when we connect with them. I have that calming effect on dogs, and some people have said they can feel it from me. I did not start out like thst, but as a groomer and trainer for my career when I developed that I was sometimes able to help others develop it somewhat as well.

Brother, you are without a doubt one of the great students/teachers of horsemanship.. I like how you continue The Evolution.. what I Would have done THEN and What I Prefer to do Now... ... Proud to call you my friend...

I think he just knows that you know more than the person who was leading him. Like Ray Hunt said, "they know when you know and they know when you don't."

WOW! That was great Warwick...I loved it. It was so obvious. Be the change you want to see. I am so excited for you.

I know The Secret also and I am less anxious (fearful of the future). Great video

The plan is all the puzzle pieces that you are starting to provide. In a clinic people can only see one or a few pieces. When you offer them here on RU-vid it starts to become a whole puzzle. Parelli has lots of video content about this (but not for free ;-))

I enjoyed this video .I also meditate and am always amazed how horses can pick up on it. Thank you.

@WarwickSchiller I think too that horses can see right thru humans. Or they can read them carefully. I had an excellent teacher as a child/youngster and her presence alone made a horse more calm. Once we had tried to catch a cheeky warm-blood for 45 minutes, and she just walked up to it - it kept its ears pinned - and she just grabbed it - done. We were so impressed, and the horse was relaxed.

Awesome stuff. How to teach someone else is a process that needs good foundation in the basic moves is how i see it. Being at peace with yourself means you can be neutral which is the best place to observe rather than react. Great example.

You're one of the best for a reason! Along with his calm attitude I think the long relaxed lead had a play in this too, the first handler had the horse pretty tight

Yes, I suspect his owner is nervous and insecure around him, and it makes him uneasy...🤔😉

Wooow! Thank you so much for stressing the mindfulness idea

I also got my 'Sherlock', so happy I've found your channel. great work!

All consciousness is connected.

This is one of my favorite videos...it really shows the difference in a mindset. I am working now to try and change my view. I have a small QH rescue that will do anything you ask of him. The only problem is that there is waaaaaaay to much energy evolved, no matter how soflty it is asked(or thought). I have been a follower of Clinton Anderson for years and his methods are wonderful for most horses, but it just doesn't work for this horse. There is a quote that if they have enough energy to do the wrong thing, then there is enough energy to do the right thing....in most cases I have found that to be true. However this horse will littlerlly run until he falls over ....i believe your thought process holds the key to his success. #journeyon20

Horses can read our body language and emotions. If we are anxious/nervous, they tend to be as well

Really enjoyed this. thank you!

so empowering , and i could feel the emotion , after looking at a few of your videos , ive noticed that im the problem , but today i did nothing , and just be without expectation, another journey , its not just about the conflicts with horses , its us too, i am a victim of going to bed angry , cos i didnt have the answers , and repeated the same question , im truly thankful for your principles. , that is not just about getting an unansewerd question that i was asking , but didnt give them the time for their answer,, was easier.. its a special mindset that we should think about before we expect from our horses.

Brilliant. I work with a behaviourist who swears by your recent videos. All about the horse self regulating.. I love it!!

I love this guy.

I totally agree with this x

Amazing

Whoa, this is profound! ❤️

I was there, I can see myself in the crowd

Beautiful horse

Loving watching your journey. I’ve also been following Caroline Rider Best - very similiar principles. As has been said before, a horse teaches us way more about us - than we could ever ‘teach’ the horse.

G’day Warwick This is so so 👌 You are helping me so much! Thanks 😁😁

Thank you so much for this video, and thank you for making the shift. Magic at it's finest!

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing this. I loved your work before, but even more since this new direction!

So true..exactly what I'm learning with my OTT friend.

Amazing! Horses are so sensitive that they pick up and are attracted to people who are completely at peace with themselves. As I watched the video I saw that that horse wanted to be near you. He was going towards you. I totally love your videos. I've watched them for years and I see that not only have you transformed horses you have transformed also. I have been a horse whisperer in my life and while others were fighting with the horse I simply mentally ask the horse to do what I need him to do. I tell them mentally "" I'm tired, would you please go in your stall?" I try as much as possible to send my feeling to them. I used to think that I had to always come at the horse with strength and confidence but since I am older now and do not have as much strength I tell them that I'm tired, can you please help me.

Wow!

I'm still waiting for the second video with that Barb stallion from Morrocco.

Very remarkable! I am on this journey too. It's much harder though to change the relationship with people, lol. My horse has responded to my mindfulness very well. I am still trying to control people's actions too much, lol. It's a journey.

Truestory 🤠💯

When we are feeling inside, like joy, fear, happiness, anxiety, peacefulness, can be sensed by others, animals and people. So if you are peaceful the horses are sensing that and will get calm and peaceful. See if when you are feeling happy, peaceful, joyful if the horses, and such are that way, and if you are feeling angry, sad, anxious if there is a change. Breathe and relax, is there a change?

It would be great to see how things went when the owner handled him again. Otherwise, I love your approach.

Wonderful video as usual Warwick- I’m always so happy to see these transformations! On a different note: Strange to me , seeing the horse led on the opposite side than normal ...I guess I’m a bit stuck in my habits? I can certainly see the value in having a horse used to leading from any side

When you change your thoughts, your beliefs, your judgements . . . it does make you feel different to a horse.

It’s just an amazing feeling isn’t it?

Hi Warwick I love your philosophy and your way of training is rare and so wonderful to watch . I have always felt animals draw to me and though I don’t meditate I feel things deeply if that makes sense. When you talk about the meditation and what you have worked on for yourself would a way to describe it to be like an energy you put out? I have always sensed that horses although an unconventional thought can really sense and are very affected by a person’s energy. I wondered what you thought about it.

❤️❤️❤️

sometimes a horse responds better to a person with fewer preconceived notions about them, i.e. a new trainer vs. owners living in the past, thinking about a time the horse bucked you off or nagging thoughts about the horse's manners. I suffer from it and usually my horse issues are actually 'me' issues. When you can give the horse the benefit of the doubt, he will return the favour. Also I think this particular horse is totally stunned at the PA system and wants to understand why the strange nice man can talk so loud.

You did give us the secret.

I’ve seen this before how a hyper horse at a demonstration calms down immediately when the featured trainer takes the lead rope from the owner. Pretty amazing.

I think Yoda could describe whats going on here..........

Immediately noticeable difference: the owner followed the horse around. Warwick stood still, not moving his feet. Perfect beginning of relaxation. I would think there must come a time (soon) when the horse must be taught personal boundaries so that he does not encroach into the handler's space. Perhaps as the horse progresses, you can "think" him into backing up out of your space, but until then, a slow, gentle redirecting move could accomplish that.

Based on what's in you, you feel different to horses. Doesn't that make all those people with "crazy" horses feel awkward?

I feel one must listen to that nudge inside that says hey get to know me better .. meditation is an intimate experience with your true self.. Once met hang on … the magic doesn’t stop .. Awareness an presence creates space for true you ( your being or soul) … to emerge more often.. An quieting down the fabricated unconscious other the over bearing organ called the brain has created … It seems there specific events that all who are on this amazing journey experience. . They also seem to come in an order.. Your consumption of the food you choose to eat changes. not necessarily by choice.. one will start to become physically Nauseous when consuming processed anything , un organic , an meat especially on the bone meat.. It is abrupt but not permanent.. you teach your self what an how to eat… .. After you know you know… An your able to re introduce better sourced produce, meat, cheese, beverages, prepared meals . A paleo type with lots of label reading.lol … 2nd gift is Animal empathy , plant an nature can’t get enough attack.. Most love animals ..Now you can’t help but deeply want to connect with what is inside them.. Even ants .I will drop crumbs to feed them so I get to see them be ants. even if there in my house. I do everything in my power move poisonous intruders to a better location after knowing them an what they do, .. I will be so careful driving to not hit critters .. offer my home to the injured an abandoned until they are able to care for themselves.. you jus cannot help it.. An for mr Schiller to not only want to connect to know the horse .. He is connecting with the horse with empathy , awareness, an compassion.. Yet the answered questions he gives the horse is helping the horse to have an awakening .. get out of his mind. To create space so conscious being of the horse re introduces the all knowing sort of up dated version .. less saber tooth tigers … an a more end of the lead rope. Human awareness . … the consciousness of the horse is able to answer the new type of questions well providing quick ease.. an release of tension… This is so beautiful an what love is …. I wonder if enough horses are able to awaken … It will cause a collective awakening with all horses an a big evolution will occur… the blessings never stop.. wow… it’s the collective whole..

Does forelock bother the horse How long forelock should be.

Just curious, how often do you meditate and for how long? I also find that I have a better connection with horses when I am meditating frequently too!

When you take that lead rope are you practicing mindfulness? As in, the feel of the rope in your hand, your breathing etc? Or is the"magic" simply because you practice these things outside the arena