What I Know for Sure
My educational journey into horse ownership, caregiving and training
By Caroline Volandt-Beste
Twenty-plus years ago, I used to have my horses shod. At the time I never questioned why my horse should be barefoot. I was told his hooves were too sensitive without shoes and that was that! It wasn’t until I had stepped out of the equine world and then re-emerged more than ten years later that I began questioning everything; and, with that process I began educating myself by means of hands-on experience.
I understand the overwhelming feeling my clients have when they begin reading and learning about different perspectives and opinions. It can be a daunting and often emotionally exhausting experience educating yourself in the equine world. We equestrians can be very opinionated and it seems every horse owner is an expert about everything.
If you are a new horse owner, or one that is searching for a new or better way for you and your horse, this is what I recommend along your educational journey:
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Ask questions. Ask as many “experts” or professionals as you can and look for a common thread. Meaning, it’s one thing if one “expert” claims it to be right or true and another if many are saying the same thing. I am not saying that it’s always wise to follow the masses – I sure haven’t. Listen, learn, and then decide once you have education and experience to back your decision.
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I encourage you to keep probing, reading, and asking until the answer not only feels best, but it works best for you and your horse.
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Follow the expert or professional that “walks the walk,” not just “talks the talk.” There are many “talkers” or intellectuals out there and very few “doers.” I want to follow the doer – the one who has learned through experience and has a reputation to back it.
I have included below a list of articles about horsemanship, ownership, and training that I follow and believe in.
Suggested Readings
The Tao of Abundance
Eight Ancient Principles for Abundant Living
Laurence G. Boldt
Awakening the Buddha Within
Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World
Lama Surya Das
The Essence of Buddhism
An Introduction to Its Philosophy and Practice
Traleg Kyabgon
Eastern Body, Western Mind
Psychology and the Chakra System as a Path to the Self
Anodea Judith
The Seventh Journey
Reclaiming Mind, Body & Spirit Through the Chakras
Anodea Judith & Selene Vega
Riding Between The Worlds
Expanding Our Potential through the Way of the Horse
Linda Kohanov
Way of the Horse
Equine Archetypes for Self-Discovery
Linda Kohanov
Power vs, Force
The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior
David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.
Transcending the Levels of Consciousness
The Stairway to Enlightenment
David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.
The Celestine Prophesy
An Experiential Guide
James Redfield and Carol Adrienne
Developing Self Carriage, Balance & Collection – Naturally Click here
PTSD & Equine Click here
Instride with Caroline Volandt-Beste Click here
Mustang Research spurs Greater Understanding Click here
Building Blocks for Riding Bitless Click here
Recovery: Cognitive & Muscle Pattern Recognition and Re-patterning
Habits are formed through perpetual thought and physical patterns (repetitive movement) and/or recognition (muscle memory). Much of what we do and think is habitual, second nature to us as they don’t involve much thought or conscious awareness. People and horses are habitual by nature, seeking the comforts of routine and habits. The human brain is hardwired to select habitual thoughts patterns as they chemically produce hormones that create feelings of comfort and ease. When we are in state of stress, panic or fear, we produce adrenaline which releases our need for flight, fight or freeze. Equines relate similarly when feeling either relaxed or in a state of stress. Research using MRI’s has shown the effects both adrenaline and serotonin have on the brain when in flight, fight or freeze. Large amounts of serotonin are released from the hippocampus region within both humans and equines, proving that equines feel the same amount of stress and/or relaxation hormone, cortisol and endorphine, as humans.
Practicing consciously, meaning practicing viscerally, by means of experiencing what you feel physically (through movement) and not in a robotic manner or what I refer to “auto pilot” – just going through the motions is how we begin to re-pattern our neurochemistry. Repetitive movement aids in releasing relaxation hormones thus places us in a relaxed, meditative state of mind and being. This is what we practice and teach at Tao of Horsemanship, conscious rhythmic and meditative movement.
Learning for Both Horses and People
What is Neurofeedback Click here
Sensory, Experiential and Transformative Learning Click here
What is NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Click here
Fresh Research Shows how Horse Domestication Helped Shape Humanity Click here
Head Movement Timing Helps Horse Walk Efficiently Click here
The Power of the Horse - We're Just Only Beginning To Understand Click here
Equine Intelligence
Co-Being Relationship Click here
Consensual Partnership Click here
Sydney University Click here
Recognizing Human Emotion Click here
What’s Your Horse Thinking? Click here
Neuroscience and the Three Brains of Leadership Click here
Study Confirms Horses ‘Talk” to Human Handlers Click here
Ability of Horses to Manipulate the Attention of Humans Shown in Study Click here
Horses Can Read Human Facial Expressions Click here
Horses Never Forget Human Friends Click here
Training
“The secret in riding is to do few things right. The more one does, the less one succeeds. The less one does, the more one succeeds.”
~ Nuno Oliveira
To Bit or Not to Bit Click here
Definition of On the Bit Click here
Bitless Resources Click here
Building Blocks for Riding Bitless Click here
Why Bitless for Foundation Training Click here
A Bit-less- The Explanation of Different Bitless Bridles Click here
Bit Information (Curb and Western type bits and hackamores) Click here
Bit Type, Bridle Style Impact Rein Tension Click here
Facial Nerves and the Importance of Proper Bridle Fitting Click here
PTSD & Equines Click here
Sydney University Click here
Proper Saddle Fitting Click here
10 Points to Saddle Fitting Click here
Disengagement is a Powerful Safety Technique Click here
Developing Self Carriage, Balance & Collection – Naturally Click here
Lateral Work: Progressing to Shoulder-in Click here
Barefoot Trimming
Why Barefoot Click here
The following website gives great pics and descriptions of balanced trims: Click here
This is a descriptive video on trimming: Click here
Underrun Heels in Horses Click here
Equine Health & Healing
Trust Your Horse to Heal Itself Click here
PTSD & Equines Click here
PTSD in Horses - Causes, How it Works and Rehabilitation Click here
OTTB’s healing Veterans Click here
Kerry M. Thomas Equine PTSD; Thoughts and Theory Click here
Subcortical Brain Structures in Animals and Humans Click here
Horses in Study Show Dramatic Fall in Pain-related Behaviors After Going Bitless Click here
Reading Dents and Dings on Your Horse Click here
Nutrition
Common Nutrient Deficiencies in Horses Click here
How to Feed a Horse Magnesium Click here
Magnesium the Mineral Superhero Click here
Magnesium to Relax Equine Muscles and Nervousness Click here
Chakras and Energy
You can find the 3 topics below on this page: Click Here
Energy & Healing Click here
HeartMath: Click here
Chakra Conscious®: Click here
Unconventional Horsemanship
Alexander Nevzorov Click here