Carlos has just completed four days of private lessons, group instruction and a clinic at Maleny in SE QLD, all of which proved to be an unqualified success.  Among the many highlights was a group of four youngsters – 10 months to 2 years – being introduced to leading, yielding, spooky stuff and the concept of circle work. They were learning how to learn and at the same time developing trust and confidence in the people in their lives.  It was just amazing to see these babies handle the challenges with such a ‘can do’ attitude and in so doing lay the foundations for a happy and productive future.

The Saturday clinic brought together a diverse group of rider participants and fence sitters.  They came with open hearts and open minds and left with a fantastic appreciation of Carlos’ gentle and effective philosophy for working with horses.

They were all there to learn, and they all had the courage to work through that first sting of realization that “Hey, I thought it was my horse that needed fixing but perhaps I have a little work to do on myself.”  They were encouraged to be more self aware, to respect the horse and show compassion and they were challenged in their preconceptions about what horses are and how they think, they were shown how important their focus is to the horse.

One analogy of Carlos’ that particularly resonated with me was that we humans so often get stuck in the past, with the guilt and remorse, or in the future, overwhelmed by fear, when the horse is actually waiting for you in the here and now, without an ego or agenda, not plotting revenge for previous misdeeds, but waiting for you to ‘get it’, to understand his true nature.  With Carlos’ help this weekend everyone took a giant step closer to that understanding.

Using patience and integrity Carlos did a fantastic job of taking the sting out of the realization that we must first look inside ourselves and not automatically blame the horse when something goes wrong.  He repeated his lessons in different ways and from different perspectives.  He showed empathy for those who struggled a little and did not judge but rather sought to help people seek the understanding, and they all did.  The positive feedback has been overwhelming.  Not only was every horse left in a better place but so was every rider and fence sitter.

At the end of the Saturday clinic Carlos worked with a horse whose previous experience had left her in a very dark and lonely place.  People had largely proved insensitive and unworthy for this special mare.  Her current owner was given the horse to retrain and sell on but Sonya regarded the mare as potentially explosive and dangerous having no regard for her own safety let alone that of the rider.  Sonya realized conventional training methods were useless and the mare looked destined to become a broodmare.  But Sonya didn’t want to leave Disney in the place she was, where human contact was excruciating.  So after a spell in the paddock, a foal and some loving attention without pressure Disney was introduced to Carlos. 

This clinic was only the second time Carlos had worked with Disney.  The first session 3 months ago opened a chink in her armour and the next session at the clinic produced a stunning result.  Carlos worked with Disney while a storm raged outside – thunder, lightning and hail!!! – asking her to focus on him, to trust that he would help her find a way out of her pain and insecurity and into a better future.  And he did.  Everyone could see the remarkable change in Disney, from defensive and untrusting she became softly focused and calm. Working with gentleness and empathy Carlos led Disney out of the darkness and into the light.  I know I wasn’t the only one holding back the tears.  All those present at some level recognized in their hearts what they may never be able to explain in their heads.

What a privilege to witness this lovely mare regain her dignity.  Carlos showed Disney that she no longer had to fight for her survival and that fear need no longer be the defining emotion in her life. 

What a gift!!!!

Pauline Cameron
Maleny QLD
October 2008