Transcript: Horsefulness Training podcast-episode 22

Welcome to The Horsefulness Training Podcast.
I’m Karine, horse trainer, and coach for horsewomen who want to build a natural connection with their horses  - a connection that feels calm, joyful, and free.

Today, I want to talk about something that that can completely change the way you connect with your horse. It’s about space, choice, and freedom—and why, in my work, I never use a round-pen or a small picadeiro for liberty training.

I know that some of you might be thinking, “But Karine, don’t round-pens make it easier to control the horse? to train a horse? Yes, they can, in a way. They feel contained, you have the feeling of control. But the truth is, working in a small space comes at a cost. A cost that is subtle often, sometimes more visible, but it’s almost always there if you know how to read a horse’s signals

So in my liberty connection work i never use a round-pen. Never

And in this episode, I want to share why, because this topic is truly one that is very dear to my hear. It’s the core of my liberty connection work, the fact that i always give horses space, a lot of space

You’ll discover what difference space makes, not only for your horse, but also for you.
and You’ll learn why working in a bigger area or field actually deepens the connection instead of making it harder.

Ok, so lety’s start with the first reason to chose for a big space, like a big riding arena or the field, and that is:

To give your horse Space for Expression

Horses are expressive, sensitive beings. Every subtle movement, every shift in their weight, every flick of an ear or tail is communication. But also, every meter they move away or not move away. And when you place them in a small, confined arena, you remove their ability to truly express themselves because they can only get as far away as the fence there is around them, and that fence is to close by.

In a large paddock or pasture, a horse can move far away from you, walk away run away, explore together with you, or invite you to mov alongThis gives you feedback, and you can learn from it. This is the magic of liberty work—it’s not about making the horse do what you want, it’s about seeing him fully and communicating in the most natural way. So not only trying to control the horse by sending him on a circel on the track until he looks at you or wants to follow you. That would be a very poor way of communication, because there is soo much more when you want to communicate in an honnest and natural way with your horse
I’ve noticed that horses who have plenty of space often tell me so much more about themselves than horses who are confined. They show much more their mood, their energy, their needs. And when you respond with awareness, something beautiful happens—they trust you more, they communicate more, and a dialogue begins instead of commands.

Reason 2: Because Accidental pressure is less risky in a large space 

Even the most experienced trainers, even after decades of working with horses, sometimes apply a little too much pressure without realizing it. Maybe your timing is slightly off, or your energy sends mixed signals. Perhaps the horse and I haven’t fully synchronized yet.
In a round pen or picadeiro, which is a square pen of 15 to 15 metres, the horse can’t escape far enough to process what’s happening. He might feel cornered or trapped, and his natural reaction could be fear, . That fear can linger even after the interaction ends.
The horse can also become defensive. I’ve seen horses attack when they realized they couldn’t get away. But in a large arena, the horse has the space to move away, to run away if he wants to, and that’s the moment, that the horses ssee that your intention was not to chase or corner him.
Because in that moment you also LET him run away. And that is a very clear signa lto the horse. This allows them to calm down and realize, “Ah, nothing here is threatening. I’m safe.”

This is incredibly valuable for the horse’s emotional safety, and for yours. You can learn and practice assertiveness, clarity, and timing without the risk of creating panic or fear. And the horse, in turn, begins to see you as a safe, reliable partner.

Reason 3: In a Large Space, the Truth Becomes Visible

In a small arena, some horses feel tense most of the time. They don’t have the distance or space they need to fully relax. Still, many horses will do what’s asked of them, not because they feel free or comfortable, but because they have learned that compliance is the only way to find relief from pressure.
They might follow your direction, even when it doesn’t feel good to them. When a horse wants to move away but can’t, it may appear as if the horse chooses to stay with you. But in reality, many horses in small spaces simply submit. They can’t retreat, so they mask their stress or discomfort and “choose” to follow, not from connection, but from necessity.

In a large space, however, everything becomes clear. The horse can move away when something feels off. He can show you what he truly feels — whether that’s curiosity, uncertainty, playfulness, or the need for more distance. This freedom allows the truth to surface.
You start to see what is really going on between you and your horse. You discover when your energy is too strong, when your timing is off, or when your horse simply needs a pause. And with that awareness, you grow.
Because in a big space, there’s no illusion of connection, only the real, honest dialogue between two beings who are learning to listen to each other.

Reason 4: Assertiveness without risk

Some horses have been through experiences that make them reactive. Working with these horses requires clear boundaries and assertiveness. You need to communicate that you are confident, calm, and in control of your own space.
In a small pen, this can feel risky. The horse might feel trapped and respond aggressively, even when your intention is gentle.. But in a large arena, the horse has the freedom to step back, respect your boundaries, and understand your energy without feeling threatened.
This is where trust grows. The horse learns that your assertiveness is not a threat—it’s clarity. And for us as humans, it’s an opportunity to practice calm, grounded communication even in challenging situations.

But also with a horse that is afraid, it’s important that you can take the distance the horse needs. If you work in a round pen of 18 metres diameter, wihich is a big round pen, then you can stand max 17 to 18 metres away form the horse if you both stand on the track. Well, in my work with traumatised horses I’ve learned that even 17 metres away is sometimes still to close. I’ve learned that these horses often need 20 metres minimum, now you could say: that’s only 3 metres more, well, my answer is: horses are so sensitive to distance and space that even a difference of 20 cm can make a difference. You can work with a horse that shows a clear no if you stand at 20 metres, and if you take one step backwards, suddenly they show a yes. That’s how sensitive to distance and space they are!

Reason 5: For Play and Energetic Movement

Have you ever noticed how a horse’s energy changes when he has room to move, run, and play? Play is a natural language of trust and joy. In a small pen, the horse might feel restricted or hesitant to truly play, horses need space for that!. In a large arena or field, the horse can fully engage, invite you to interact, and explore energetic movement with you.
This play is not just fun—it’s a bonding experience. You learn how to channel your energy, read his signals, and move together in harmony. It’s an opportunity to deepen your relationship in a joyful, relaxed, and natural way.You learn how to spark some fire into your horse! and play is also very valuable to learn how you can use (and dose) your own body language and energy, for example why playing the boomerang, which is connection exercise #8 of liberty connection work

Reason 6: Connection and communication with the whole the herd

In a large space, it becomes much easier, and much more beautiful to work with several horses at the same time. In a small space, horses can quickly start to feel tense or uncomfortable, simply because they can’t take the distance they need from one another. But when you give them a large arena or a wide pasture, everything changes. Each horse can find its own place, regulate its distance, move freely, and interact in a way that feels natural and harmonious.

For you as ahorsewoman, this is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your awareness and your communication skills. You can practice focusing your attention on just one horse, while keeping a soft sense of the others. Or you can open your energy to the entire group, guiding the herd as one connected whole. When you learn to feel and communicate with the group like that, your sensitivity and communication skills grow enormously. You begin to understand herd dynamics not from theory, but from experience - from feeling.

Working with several horses together can also bring comfort and calmness, especially for insecure or nervous horses. Horses feel supported by each other’s presence. It gives them a sense of safety and belonging. And sometimes, just being among their friends is exactly what they need to find their confidence again.
It’s also practical: you don’t always have to separate your horse to train or connect. You can use both approaches, sometimes spending quiet one-on-one time, other times joining the whole herd. Both are equally valuable. One deepens your personal bond, the other opens your awareness to the wisdom of the herd, where connection, cooperation, and calm flow naturally.

Reason 7: True Choice and freedom

Finally, the most important reason to use a large space is this: true liberty can only exist where there is true choice.
When a horse is in a confined space, he may seem connected, he may even stay close or follow you, but very often this happens out of necessity rather than genuine willingness. There’s no real choice when the fence is close and the pressure to stay or follow is subtle but always there. The horse’s body might be near, but his heart isn’t truly free.

Real trust, real connection, is something very different. It’s born from freedom - from giving the horse the possibility to say yes or no in every single moment. In a large arena, or even better, out in the pasture, there is space for truth. The horse can walk away if he wants to. He can come closer when he feels ready. He can invite you to move with him, to follow him towards that special place in the field, or to simply be together in stillness.

This freedom changes everything. The dynamic shifts from expectation to invitation. From “you must stay with me” to “you may choose to be with me.” And that’s where the magic happens, because when the horse chooses you out of his own free will, that moment carries so much beauty, honesty, and depth.
Working from this place of true liberty also means you are not striving for a join-up or a follow-up in the traditional sense. You’re not working with subtle forms of pressure, nor hoping for signs of submission or obedience. Instead, you’re creating an open space where both you and your horse can meet as equals, both free, both curious, both willing to connect.

This is the heart of liberty work in Horsefulness Training. It’s where friendship grows, where trust becomes real, and where the connection that develops between you and your horse is not based on control or reward, but on understanding and natural communication. This is where a connection can develop - a strong, deep but above all a natural connection! Based on how horses also connect and communicate naturally! Where they also have free choice and lots of space to coummunicate freely!

Now, before I end this episode, Let’s take a moment to bring it all together. So you can truly understand the importance of space and distance in your liberty connection work!

The first reason to not work in a round pen is: 

1. To give your horse Space for Expression
Horses are expressive, sensitive beings. Every movement, shift, or gesture communicates how they feel. A large arena or pasture lets them show themselves fully, and in turn, teaches us to listen deeply.

2. For Safety with Accidental Pressure
Even the most experienced trainers sometimes apply too much pressure without realizing it. A large space gives horses the room to move away, process, and feel safe, so they can trust you even when mistakes happen.

3. Because the Truth Becomes Visible
In a big space, the horse can truly show what they feel. There’s no hiding behind the fence. You see the honest feedback: curiosity, discomfort, playfulness, or need for distance. This is where genuine learning and self-awareness happen — for both of you.

4. To be able to show Assertiveness Without Risk
Clear boundaries and confidence are essential in training, especially with sensitive or reactive horses. In a large space, you can practice assertiveness safely, without cornering the horse, allowing them to respect your energy while staying calm.

5. For Play and Energetic Movement
Freedom sparks joy. When horses have room to move, run, and invite interaction, they open up to play, a natural, energizing way to bond and practice communication. Play teaches us timing, energy, how tos park the horses fire and energy! 

6. For Connection & communication with the whole Herd
Large spaces make it possible to work with several horses at once. Each horse can regulate their distance and interact naturally, giving us insight into herd dynamics, social cues, and the energy of group connection. It’s a whole new dimension of understanding.

7. For True Choice and freedom
Finally, the heart of it all: horses need the freedom to choose every moment. No fence, no pressure, no expectation to follow. Real trust and friendship grow when your horse can say yes—or no—in their own time. True connection blossoms from liberty.
When you bring all these together, you start to see why space, choice, and freedom are not just nice to have, they are the foundation of a deep, joyful, and honest relationship with your horse.

So my advice is: ditch the round pen and embrace the freedom of space, the power of choice, and the deep connection that comes when your horse can truly move, express, and be themselves. That’s where the magic of true liberty begins.”

If this resonates with you, and you want to learn how to do liberty connection work in the most natural way—in a large space, with freedom, choice, and natural commmunication, so no tricks, treats and pressure then I invite you to join my Inner Circle List for my upcoming Liberty Connection & Beyond Program. As an Inner Circle member, you’ll get early access, exclusive bonuses, and special invitations that will help you deepen the connection with your horse and yourself. The link is in the show notes.

Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend or leave a comment. I always love hearing your thoughts!

Till next time!

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