No strings attached: Liberty training has international following

By PAUL MALCHOW

The Land Managing Editor

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. — Like a marionette and puppet, practitioners of Liberty horse training put their animals through a variety of actions: leaping, trotting, even lying down. But there are no strings attached.

At the Minnesota Horse Expo on April 29, Amanda Sommer spoke on aspects of the training and competitions centered around it.

To the uninformed (me), Liberty training seemed like teaching a dog tricks. A handler directs his or her horse to move in certain patterns, change its gait, even jump over objects — all without touching the horse or using tack of any sort. Sommer explained Liberty training goes much deeper than that.

Carolyn Resnick developed the Resnick Method of Horsemanship over 40 years ago and is based on her expertise and observation of wild horses. Resnick realized she could communicate with horses based on a language that was natural to them — how horses communicate with each other.

and a dependable performance under saddle. The goal is to teach the horse to walk next to the trainer, shoulder to shoulder. The horse should not stomp off ahead, lag behind or veer off sideways.

Once you and your horse can walk smoothly as a pair, it is time to start walk-to-halt and halt-to-walk transitions. The trainer will use exaggerated versions of body language and verbal cues to get the horse to start and stop. Over time, these body movements can be more and more subtle — almost undecipherable to the untrained eye.

trainers, and competitors everywhere. There are 20 ILHA clubs in the United States along with a club in Canada and Australia.

Sommer is a member of the North Central Liberty Horse Club headquartered in Fredonia, Wis. The Club will host three live shows in 2023 providing opportunities for Liberty devotees of all levels — from the basic beginner to seasoned veterans who can work with multiple horses at one time.

“We’re not super competitive,” Sommers said. “The whole idea is working and bonding with your horse. It’s hard getting a horse comfortable in strange surroundings and I think Liberty helps the animals be more relaxed.”

Contest participants are required to wear a long sleeve collar shirt with pants and safe shoes. Helmets are required for riding youth under 18 years of age. Competitors have up to four minutes to complete their pattern.

“If the horse leaves the pattern, it’s not disqualified,” explained Sommer, “but three strikes and you’re out.”

“Callers” can call patterns to the competitor, but cannot coach. “Handlers can talk as much as they want,” Sommer said, “and you can reward by petting. Treats or food are not allowed.”

Sommer herself doesn’t use treats as a reward to the horse. “Many people do, but I personally don’t,” she said. “I feel the horses are rewarded by being with you and the exercise. Horses like to play.”

The Liberty “season” culminates in October at the ILHA Liberty Festival and Championship in Louisville, Kty. Sommer has attended a couple of times but such a trip involves a lot of time, hay and effort and she’s unsure about making the trip this year.

With the Covid pandemic, the ILHA began staging virtual competitions as well. Videos must be shot over the contest’s three-day period.

The North Central Liberty Horse Club has members in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. Sommer said part of the reason she was at the Expo was to get a club started in Minnesota. “There are a lot of horse enthusiasts around here and they could be better served if their club wasn’t way down in Wisconsin.”

The ILHA’s website is www.libertyhorseassociation.com . The North Central Liberty Club also has a website at www. northcentrallhc.com . Sommer can be reached via email at northcentralLHC@gmail.com v

From this communication she created The Waterhole Rituals — method of training horses “at liberty.” Training did not involve close confinement or even the use of reins or halters. In the 1970’s, Resnick originated the term “Liberty Training.”

Liberty training is designed to bring a horse a sense of freedom and safety which will increase the horse’s desire to interact and will create a deeper bond

As horses and owners become more comfortable with each other, the horse can develop more skills over time. This includes walking in simple patterns; having the horse kneel, lie down or stand on its hind legs; riding the horse bareback and bridleless; and having the horse maneuver obstacles. These skills are put on display at a number of ILHA shows and contests.

The International Liberty Horse Association (ILHA) is dedicated to promoting the discipline of Liberty training and celebrating Liberty horses,