Testimonials

Here are a few words from a few people who have experienced Robin Gates and Carolyn Resnick's method of Liberty Training and the 7 Waterhole Rituals.


-Marta Williams, Author Learning Their Language and Beyond Words	Carolyn Resnick’s method of liberty training makes more sense to me than any other natural horsemanship technique and I think the horses feel that way about it too. It most closely approximates how horses actually think, feel, and interact with each other. It is also the most natural of all the natural techniques. Done in an open field, the horse can choose to completely ignore you and walk away. No other technique can take that kind of chance. As Robin says, this method of interaction makes your horse fall in love with you. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning this wonderful practice from Robin. She is an honest, straightforward and compassionate trainer of humans and horses. I recommend her to all my clients who are having problems with their horses or who are just seeking to enhance the bond they share.
- Andrew M. Leeds, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Santa Rosa, CA	Robin is more than an extraordinary horse trainer. Yes, she has a keen ability to perceive each horse’s temperament and to discern the effects of prior, adverse human interactions on the horse’s current behavior. Yes, she has a deep grasp of the innate behavior of horses. Yes, as a wise and skillful horse trainer she uses these clear perceptions and deep understandings as the foundation for building a relationship with a horse based on mutual respect, firm boundaries and love. But most important of all she is able to model and transmit her understanding, her skills and her compassion to even the most timid, uncertain and awkward of her students with profound patience and abiding grace. As a result her students gain not only a relationship with a horse that comes to love and respect them, and is eager for the opportunity to follow, but they gain a clearer eye, a firmer stance and a stronger, more open heart.
Pat Slater and Dan Senters too!	On a sunny day last November my husband Dan and I were taking a walk with our two quarter horses Lucky and Tuffy. Lucky, our seven year old, was a very nervous horse and could hardly stand to be near Dan or any man for that matter. It was hard just leading him down the lane because of his fears. As we were walking we were arguing heatedly about whether to sell Lucky or keep him. After 1 ½ years of working with this horse Dan couldn’t take it anymore. He wanted a horse that was calm, gentle and easy just like our other horse Tuffy. I, on the other hand, adored Lucky. He loved women and was not a bit afraid of me although still a very nervous horse. On our walk we happened to meet a lady who noticed our problem with our horse. She told us about a weekend clinic that was about to be held at an arena in our neighborhood. Robin Gates would teach this clinic. We went right over to inquire about this clinic. Believe me, I was shocked that “my cowboy Dan” was even willing to inquire let alone attend. He believed that a horse should do what is asked of him and nothing less. After working on a cattle ranch for many years he was firm in his thinking. He told me he would go but if Lucky did not benefit from the weekend we would sell him with no argument from me. I agreed. On November 22 we met Robin Gates for the first time. She spent just a minute with our Lucky and talked to both Dan and I. When the clinic began, Robin started with our horse. True to form, Lucky was petrified. Dan, after following instruction from Robin, was able to build a better relationship with Lucky. After about ½ hour, I saw changes in both Lucky and Dan. This horse started to approach Dan with a little less fear. After two days with Robin Gates we knew that there was hope for Lucky. With the help of her Liberty Horse Training method and her guiding hand, I have watched both Lucky and Dan blossom. This is February, only a few months since we started working with Robin. Lucky is almost a pest following Dan around. They love each other. A bond exists, one that I never thought possible. The fear is gone, replaced with trust and respect. Dan trail rides on Lucky and both seem to really enjoy their days together. If you ask me Robin Gates is a hero. On the day I met her I had tears in my eyes, tears of worry. Today, as I write this, I have tears of joy knowing that Lucky is with us to stay. And by the way, Tuffy is learning a few manners himself. Robin, I can’t thank you enough.
Jennifer Hoegerman	Koda, a 16-3 Paint gelding who I have had since his birth 20 years ago, has had a tough time of it. Diagnosed with severe navicular disease and ringbone at age 3, training on and off depending on his degree of lameness and frequent stress colics have made his life difficult. He now spends carefree days on pasture with his herd, but has remained dominant, aggressive and very pushy around people. Koda has been the biggest equine challenge of my life, so I took him to a Robin Gates clinic in hopes we could achieve a deeper level of communication and some peace of mind for him. Robin worked around the issues of aggression over food and the tug of war when leading in halter. What unfolded was miraculous. It was as if Koda was just waiting for the magical key of shared language to bring him fully to life. His attitude softened and - now 4 months later - he continues to relax in and enjoy the company of humans. Robin is now working with our Quater Horse Emmet using a slightly different approach but attaining equally spectacular results in opening up his heart. This was the wonder of observing Robin in a clinic situation with many different horses - that she sees each as an individual being with different histories, experiences and needs and approaches them accordingly. There is no pressure, the horse leads the dance, and a bond forms that is solid and powerful.
Nikki Kagan	Attached is my photo which I would dub "true bliss". It's been a long time since I have felt so full in my heart. Robin's work with Liberty Training for me is about tapping into a primal language of love, trust, respect and honesty that we all want and need so desperately to express. My experience with DJ, Cobo, Willie, Frank, Red and Jordan has touched my heart in the most profound sense, enabling me to find and tap into the courage, confidence, forgiveness and purity that we all have but sometimes have difficulty accessing.. Not only did I feel an indescribable sense of joy in this work, I felt honored by these great creatures who believed and trusted in me enough to allow me to be a true leader. I vow to continue along this path of enrichment because I am convinced it will emanate outward to those near to me as well as to those I have yet to meet. With deepest gratitude for sharing this most precious of gifts, and for sharing those beautiful animals who taught me so gently, safely and lovingly--
Lori Plumber - Leapdogagility.com	Robin's approach, based on Carolyn Resnick's methods, is to create a horse who is thrilled when his person comes calling for the daily training session. When it's training time, Robin's horses say "Pick me, pick me!" I see this everyday in my work with dogs. How wonderful it is to see that it is possible in the world of horses, too! Robin is not only passionate and talented in her work with horses, she is equally gifted in her ability to relate to and communicate with her human students. You'd be hard pressed to find an instructor who cares more about assisting you in achieving your goals of connecting with your horse than Robin does. She patiently supports and guides, celebrating your successes, tiny to huge, with incredible sincerity. The icing on the cake is that Robin has a wonderful way with words. She instructs with clarity, vivid examples, and a delightful sense of humor.
Barbara K. Rector, Director Adventures In Awareness, LLC www.aialearningwithhelpofhorses.com www.adventuresinawareness.net	Student of Equine Facilitated Learning and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy will benefit from study with Robin Gates, primary teacher of the Carolyn Resnick method of liberty horse training. Regardless of one's skill level this process teaches the true language of Equus and allows the observer and practitioner alike to engage in relationship development with horses. While most 'natural' trainers use gadgets gimmicks and round rings, Robin and Carolyn work in wide open pasture and arena spaces that allow horse choice; to come or to go. Lovely to watch and awsome to practice.
Beth Riedel	It was wonderful to see the principles that Carolyn describes in her book, Naked Liberty, used & then presented in a manner that makes them feel applicable to my life. I was pleased to actually experience them even though I didn't have a horse of my own to work with. You and Lisa created a very safe & comfortable space for opening to these ideas. Everyone there seemed to feel honored no matter how experienced or not each participant was. This allowed me to further see what moves worked better than others & that no move was "wrong". I loved that each horse's individuality was also honored & shown to be perfect with no personality type better than another. Your explanations & metaphors made the principles feel more natural to me & easier to be understood. I loved being able to both see & feel how one moves their body in a way that the horse can really understand & very easily read. The games & play just made everything more fun & easier to enjoy for both the people & horses. Thanks so much for this experience. I hope to be able to do more with your trainings & your work.
Sandy Forsyth	What a wonderful experience !!! You are so articulate and have a great ability for verbally bringing the horse world and our own humanity together so that we can understand the horse through ourselves and ourselves through the horse. The parallels and comparisons with all relationships/politics (inner and outer) unfolded before our eyes delightfully and with gentle humor......insights and subtle understandings were continuously running through me and since I always need time to "translate" my feelings into words, I often found myself at a loss for them when trying to share them. But know this, that your gifts are enormous and I love working and playing with you....it's just plain fun !!! I thank you and can't wait to play with you again privately when I figure out just what I want to focus on. Kudos to Lisa as well, her facilities were wonderful and greatly appreciated.