Round Pen Video

Your Round Pen Leadership DVD is superb & I have already watched it five times! I eagerly await the next one that would include all the rope-halter & lead work, desensitization, & horse whispering techniques.

Thank you for your Round Pen Leadership DVD!!! It was a great refresher on the round penning techniques you taught us, and I look forward to seeing the next DVD on de-spooking, rope work, etc.!

Your Round Pen Leadership video is awesome. I plan on watching it over and over. Went out and practiced after the first viewing. That reinforcement really helps me.

Love your Round Pen Leadership DVD!!! Watched it a million times now. Huge help actually seeing you in action. You are a clever girl, Syl!! I'll be buying your next DVD as soon as it comes out.

I have your Round Pen Leadership training DVD and am really enjoying it. As everyone says, you make it look so easy....You have been a big help. Thanks!

I just bought your Round Pen Leadership training video. You did a very good job of explaining how things are done in the round pen. I like your way of not putting too much pressure on the horse...I am getting much better at communicating with my horses now!

I recently purchased your Round Pen Leadership video and enjoyed it completely. This is my first experience with round penning and I am training my 2-year-old colt and his 16-year-old thoroughbred mom (separately). Having my first foal and learning what I need to do to train him has made me realize his mom can benefit from some foundation training as well. I have owned her for 12 years now and she has never been through a good foundation training program. She has a nice disposition, willing and smart, but I feel I haven't always been the "leader" and now I am learning that I need to be!

I received your Round Pen Leadership video and have already watched it. I especially liked how you “invited” the inside turn as that is generally the hardest part of round penning to do - the outside turn is natural for them as they are in the “flight” mode - the inside turn however requires more trust and link up for them to turn and face you - interesting stuff and know it will be a big hit for you.

I'm loving your DVD - Round Pen Leadership, so much! I especially wanted to write and tell you how much I enjoyed the DVD! I can't tell you how much I've learned. I have actually watched it several times, just hoping to absorb more information with each viewing. Thank you for letting me know how to start with my new horse! I know I will watch it many more times before I get my horse in December. I instinctively know about the bonding process, but I'm so glad to know to look for training holes. If I start out right from the beginning, I'm hoping he will adjust to me and to his new home easier. Also, he's young, so I want to try to do everything right and establish the correct foundation for him! I really love how people are realizing it's more effective to show kindness and empathy to their horses.

I recently brought your Round Pen Leadership DVD. I was very impressed! Wish you could come to Australia to do a Clinic!

N. C. - Cooma, New South Wales, Australia

Sylvia, Thanks for hosting the clinic at your facility. I got home today and went to the barn and went through some of the things we learned yesterday. I was pleased at how well Jake did. It was fun to see him do so well. I bought your Round Pen Leadership video which already has been helpful for me. Look forward to seeing you again. Peace,

B. O. - Woodville, Virginia

Thank you so much for sending me your new Round Pen Leadership DVD. Wow, it's great! Lots of good, practical information. I really like the way you include the quotes in text at the bottom of the screen for emphasis. I think this will help folks really understand the techniques.

Ed Dabney
Ed Dabney Gentle Horsemanship
Monroe, Georgia

Aloha Sylvia! Just watched your Round Pen Leadership video. Looks like you are an awesome long-distance teacher! I can see that just through your web site and million email supports you gave me, that you raised a definate protoge! The only thing I have been doing different is the head tilt then point part. I am sure I do something similar just not as deliberate and crystal clear because I do get the turns without the rope. I will begin doing that to be more clear with communicating cues. I already do the body tilt and hunch a lot just like you. Otherwise your video was so right on with what you taught me and what I have been doing...Thanks Sylvia as always for all your help! You made a better horsewoman out of me!

R. B. - Hauula, Hawaii

Your [Remote Coaching} response was so helpful and I was totally impressed with how much information you provided. You were "right on" and it worked perfectly. Once you made clear about the order of things and that this was an issue of leadership and a shut-down horse, in spite of past abuse, it made all the difference in the world and it freed me up to take control in the round pen, and THEN, start the bonding process.

Taking your direction and practicing the Volume Thinking, I first still needed the popper and a white flag, but within 20 minutes, he was listening to me like we were doing a round-penning video. He joined up a bit more slowly at first but I have maintained being the director and I have been taking baby steps and letting him soak as I gauge how quickly to move forward.

I quickly became able to disengage his hindquarters easily (low on the Volume with staring and pointing my finger) and have had him following me all around the round pen. He has been terribly ear-shy, but along with search-touching around his head and neck and head-lowering and lip-licking [your program I'm following in your Round Pen Leadership and Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System DVD's}, I have been able to ease this considerably and continue the bonding and training process. I'm sure I'll have more questions, but you are right when you say "this works" and "you can do it." I am really having fun and I think my horse is also!

A big THANK YOU!

D. B. - Mesa, Arizona

I purchased your Round Pen Leadership DVD and found it very helpful. I thought I'd try your full training (Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System) DVDs now.

D. C. - Conover, Ohio

I have watched your Round Pen Leadership video about 10 times now. I have worked my gelding in the round pen using these techniques and he is responding exactly how Sylvia said he would! I'm so happy these techniques are working, and best of all, they work for my horse. It is his choice to come to me. I love it! It can't get any more natural than that!

J. B. - Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Hello Sylvia. Just got your Round Pen Leadership DVD and had previously purchased your Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System DVD set. I love the way you train! It is totally awesome! Love your tapes and the way you can change the horse's attitude! If I were a bit younger, it would be a great career! Thanks.

N. R. - Chiefland, Florida

I've been very impressed with your round penning; I have seen a big difference in my horse in just the short time I've started using your Round Pen Leadership DVD. Plus what you are teaching makes sense to me. I'm learning a lot about my own body language and communication with my own horses through using your video.

L. W. - Goochland, Virginia

Sylvia, I just wanted to let you know that the methods you taught in your Round Pen Leadership DVD work like magic! My usually stubborn 2- year-old paint filly was following me around the round pen, licking and chewing, in only 20 minutes! Thank you so much for making these techniques available to everyone. I'll be ordering your Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System program on DVD soon!

W. K. - Jacksonville, Florida

Just wanted to shoot you a quick email and ask you if your ears were burning over the weekend? Some friends of mine and I were sitting around the campfire talking about you. I was telling my friends about all the help you have given me with my horse. We had recently gone trail riding with them and they couldn't believe the changes in my horse (all my hard work did pay off!). I told them that I swear by you and your Round Pen Leadership and your Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System videos were awesome! So I lent them to my friends to watch. They were having trouble round penning one of their horses and they had emailed you and you had given them some great advice (as usual) and we were all sitting around talking about what a great person you are, that you are really out there to help people bond with their horses, and how knowledgeable you are and are so willing to share that information at no charge, and how much we all appreciated it. There are not many people in this world like you, Sylvia. Keep up the great work, because I know you have touched many people and horses' lives. Just wanted to let you know how appreciative we all are for it.

Well, anyway, this message was just another quick thank you for all the great advice and for so openly sharing all your knowledge with us less knowledgeable horse people so we can have a great relationship with our horses.

P.S. Just to let you know...my friends swear by you now, too! But I already knew that. Take care,

T. B. - Greenville, Ohio

Hi Sylvia! Just wanted to let you know....it works, it works!!! I got your "Complete Package" yesterday [which contained your Whispering Way 12-Step Total Training System DVD set, Round Pen Leadership DVD, Natural Horsemanship Halter/Lead, Training Wand and Training String] and I watched the Roundpen Leadership DVD first. I have done Parelli level I and read everything by Parelli, Lyons and Roberts. However, what you showed me was so simple and effective I can't believe it! I am still "stuttering" in horse language, but my horse clearly understood me now in the round pen, and after a few of his "but I was the boss before!" episodes, I got the ear on me, then licking, then head down, nose to the ground. I was also able to get him to pivot to keep facing me and come when I asked, at liberty in the round pen! This was just in 15 minutes! I still need to work on clearly communicating with him and not "stuttering," but we are off to a great start! We had to stop because of rain so we did not get our inside/outside turns perfected but we will continue to work on that. Thanks so much!

M. H.-S. - Bradenton, Florida

Let me start this by stating that I am green in the fact that I have not quite tapped that horse psyche thing. I try to find enlightenment in all different kinds of trainers, like someone looking for religion. You have captured the perfect way to dummy it down to those of us less knowledgeable. I bought your Round Pen Leadership DVD and now I'm about to purchase the rest of your program in your Complete Package. I know you're busy, but I just wanted to let you know you are truly appreciated!

L. M. - Parkville, Maryland

We recently purchased your videos (Round Pen Leadership and Whispering Way™ 12-Step Total Training System). I looooove them!! I saw a difference in my mare the FIRST time I round penned her using your techniques!! I have watched other horsemanship videos, but I have to say that yours are the easiest to understand. I love how you break things down into "baby steps"! It is amazing what you can do with your horse when you speak their language!!! Thank You Sooooo much!! Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!

J. E. - Jackson, Georgia

Hi Sylvia. I just wanted to let you know that I was finally able to use the round pen with my boy today and we are making progress following your Round Pen Leadership DVD. I got him to yield his hind quarters with a “kiss” and pointing. I didn’t keep at it too long because I didn’t want to throw too much at him at once.

When we first started out, he was galloping and doing a little kick and buck sort of thing and would turn toward me at a dead gallop trying to intimidate me, but I would toss the rope in his direction and he would veer off. It seems clear that he didn’t want to relinquish the role of pasture boss, but he finally decided the struggle wasn’t worth keeping the title and he became much more compliant. We still haven’t mastered the turning with a look or arm point, but I can tell he was trying to understand what I wanted, so when I got him to yield the hindquarters several times, we stopped there for the day.

I also just ordered your rope halter and 12 foot lead rope. The rope halter that had been used on him by his previous owner was a stiff, course one that scratched and wounded his face, so I was hesitant to use another rope halter. I had it in my mind that it was a tool of torture, but I can see now that YOUR rope halter is only a training aid and not something that will hurt him. Your rope halter looks soft and flexible in the videos, so I wanted to give it try.

I’m watching your videos closely and hopefully I can follow your guidance correctly when training my horse.

Thank you so much!

K. C. - Apopka, Florida

Your Round Pen Leadership DVD was very helpful, now I'm getting ready to start our 5-year-old paint-that-ain't mare. With gas prices and all so high, your DVD is a big savings over sending her to a trainer. Thank you! [I just ordered your Whispering Way™ 12-Step Total Training System DVD set]

A. M. - Bellevue, Washington

Dear Sylvia, I was so looking forward to this Saturday morning set aside to watch your Round Pen Leadership video. OMG! What a revelation!

My take on it is probably different from a lot of other people who watch it. You see, my horse knows all those techniques; he did when he came to me. But to him (and me), they were just techniques. They did not automatically make me the lead mare because I didn’t have a clue about the attitude and subtleties of communication and timing that you teach. Also, there were holes in what techniques we practiced too — like inside turns. I had read John Lyons on inside turns, but I couldn’t figure out what he meant. You can’t get eye contact, subtle body cues, and timing from a book!

I also like what you say about the bottom of the “Volume” being the mind. I find that horses, especially Arabians I’ve ridden, read minds a lot...I find I have to be super-disciplined myself with my thinking and planning. If I get confused or wishy-washy, the horse will respond to a thought that I didn’t really want to put into action. Often I have asked for one thing with my mind and another thing, a second later, with my aids. The horse responds to my mind...

I also love your interplay of assertiveness/affection. Sometimes I think, not entirely subconsciously, that I can have either love or respect from my horse, but not both. I think a lot of people think like that, especially like me, middle aged women new to horses — I bet that’s 80% of your clients!

I also like that you weren’t looking at the camera directly. It seems you were teaching a class or group. By seeing you in profile, I felt like I was really sitting right there outside your round pen...

Also, I was gratified to see that you were working with even an older Quarter Horse. I think I’ve been too hard on my little 10-year old Arab, blaming him for being an Arab and expecting too much too soon. I remind myself of some patients I used to have — career women (especially, say, managers) who had their first kid at, like, age 40. They expected their kid to be a perfect little adult right out of the womb. I love your text at the end about patience and compassion and understanding.

I now plan to do this round pen work with my new lead mare attitude, then go slowly back thru your Whispering Way™ 12-Step Total Training System video set and restore my confidence after a bad fall [before I bought your videos]. I do think that, again, it’s not just the techniques, but the attitude one has while using them and the ritual of going through the steps that is important. It’s the ritual more than anything else that builds confidence and leadership. This is true in medicine too — it’s the ritual of pills, shots, acupuncture needles, whaddever — more than the physical effects of the intervention that is curative. It’s the ritual between the healer and the healee, same as between horse and trainer. I just happen to like your rituals more than anyone else’s!

This video really plugged a lot of holes in my spotty, rote understanding of horse training and relationship building. Thank you so much.

Be well and thanks again!

B. K., MD - Woodside, California

Hi Sylvia. Someone loaned us their set of your DVD's on the use of the Round Pen and Natural Horsemanship. I watched the Round Pen Leadership DVD and thoroughly enjoyed. I need to re-watch it several times to make sure I catch all I need. The second horse you worked on in the DVD was almost the classic example of how our horse reacted when I put him in the round pen the first time. He is an 11-year-old gelding mixed breed. He is a very intelligent and loving horse. However, he also has a real streak of stubborness in him that is masked by that very intelligent face. He has a tendency toward a "make me" attitude, and will try and be in charge occasionally. I really enjoyed your video and learned a lot. I could see the surprise on my horse's face when I started using your round pen techniques on him. He wasn't pleased at first, but it didn't take long for him to settle down and drop his head and "mow" [in submission]. You really could have knocked me over with a feather when that happened. Thanks for sharing your methods with us.

L. T. - Ocala, Florida

Your web site is terrific! I purchased your training DVDs (Round Pen Leadership and Whispering Way™ 12-Step Total Training System) and they have been so helpful and easy to follow. I'm amazed at the results. Thank you!

C. F. - Elizabeth, Pennsylvania

I'm looking forward to receiving your Round Pen Leadership DVD; Lord knows my 18 hands, 3-year-old Percheron and I need it! :-) I was aghast at just how expensive another top trainer's DVD covering ground control was, so while browsing around for better prices, I ran across your site and decided to make this purchase. Thank you, in advance, for sharing your experience, wisdom, and training tips at a price EVERYone is able to afford! :-)

C. D. - Mogadore, Ohio

Hi Sylvia, I just finished reading your Holiday newsletter. I was so happy for you regarding the honor that your son received. You must be so proud. May the Lord continue to grant safety to your son and his platoon as they are in Afghanistan. My daughter is going to use what we've learned from your Round Pen Leadership video in her 4H demonstration. I think the club members would be surprised to see how mild mannered her horse behaves when he is in the round pen. It uncovers a bit of rebellion he keeps hidden. I had to laugh when I read the question someone sent you in your Holiday newsletter regarding using the round pen. It reminds me of how my daughter's horse behaves when you get him working in the at liberty position. We are getting better each time though!

Take care,

L. T. - Ocala, Florida

Hi, I just received your Round Pen Leadership DVD (very fast!). It is fantastic! I have a friend who has taught me how to communicate with my horse, and from watching Sylvia, their ways are very similar, but Sylvia reinforces those methods! She believes it is all about the horse. But having this DVD on hand will REALLY help me. I am a pretty particular person and my feeling is that Sylvia has to be one of the best natural horsemanship trainers! I have a young horse who will be 2 in the Spring so I can't wait to apply this to him. One thing I have learned so far is about eye contact being pressure! I do make the mistake while patting him straight on looking him in the eye! Now that explains why he has his head up and feels resistant! I'm SO glad that I came across your web site and I may just have to get the rest of the DVD series! THANKS!!

J. D. - Upper Brookside, Nova Scotia, Canada

Hi Sylvia. I'm using your Round Pen Leadership DVD in working with my horses. I love it -- it is very easy to follow what you are doing. I viewed it over and over before working with the horses, then viewed it again to confirm I'm doing it right. My two geldings are doing great with the round pen work and are very attentive, respectful and affectionate. Your intuitive training skills are fabulous! Thanks so much.

P. B. - Conifer, Colorado

Sylvia, I am SO excited! I got to borrow your Round Pen Leadership DVD from my friend and watched it through, took notes, and then went and tried it out. I should tell you that I have tried the round pen methods of another trainer/clinician, and wound up both confused and going, "okay, now what?", as did my horse. We both wound up just standing there in frustration.

Your methods, though....wow! I really appreciate the lower starting volume (and I'm not comfortable with the sight of a dripping, blowing, and exhausted horse of other programs) and within minutes, my horse was turning for me on BOTH sides with a tip of the head and a pointed finger. No running on my part, slow trot on his - no asthma attack, either! I got the lip licking and the turned in ear and the slightly smaller circle on his comfortable side (ex-racer). The moment I invite him in and turn away from him, he comes towards me.

This was just the first day, and I messed up a few times, but still got a good result - so it won't be the last day we do this - he's not turning towards me yet on the far side, but that's okay. He did turn, and that's an improvement. Bless his heart, he was dreading the round pen after all that chasing him around previously and I can't blame him. Now I don't have to!

We haven't gone through all 12 steps of your Whispering Way™ 12-Step Total Training System program, but we have gone through the first handful, and I am very happy with the results there, too.

I have to tell you, besides just the fact that your method is WORKING because it's so clear to me WHY it works and you are very concise in your explanations and motions - and running the horse into the ground is not involved, what appeals to me about your presentation is that you very much seem to be someone that would be fun to hang around with - you present yourself as fair and accessible - and that alone would encourage me to pay attention to what you're doing, where I'll dismiss someone who's too big for their own britches in a heartbeat!

Merry Christmas to you and yours, too - I am VERY glad to have found you! Most thankfully,

A. B. - Portland, Texas

Loved your Round Pen Leadership video. It was excellent. [I am now ordering your Whispering Way™ 12-Step Total Training System.] Thanks for your videos and web site. A huge help for me!

D. R. - San Diego, California

Hi Sylvia, your training DVD's [I ordered from you] have arrived and I am feeling pretty silly now re my previous email. You must have thought me a real dill!!! Having watched each DVD several times, I think I now have a bit of an understanding as to what your training system is all about. No matter how many of your articles and emails you read, there is nothing liking seeing you in action. I will be recommending that everyone who is serious about helping their horse purchase your Complete Training Package. I was doing it oh so wrong! No wonder my horse was taking a while to cotton on. I must have been confusing him utterly. After one session of round penning the correct way now, his head was much lower and I felt much more like a leader; previously he was coming in to join under his terms and I was letting him!! How embarrassing. Thanks again. We are far from out of the woods, but we have found first base. ...Anyway this is a big thank you from him and me as I was on the point of having to give up on him. I am an older aussie bushy who was pretty set in the old ways of horsemanship, so thank you for enlightening me and showing me alternative approaches. I shall certainly be passing your down-to-earth training methods on. They are truly refreshing after all the entrepreneurial showmanship we have previously received from your country!

S. E. - Nerrigundah, New South Wales, Australia

Hi Sylvia. I've just recently bought all of your DVD's so that I can learn more about how to bond and train my mare. I've only watched the Round Pen Leadership DVD for the moment, and the Complete Guide to Horse Breeding, Foaling and Foal Training, Featuring Bob Claymier...I absolutely love your DVD's! I'm in such awe of what you do. Thank you so much for making these!

H. T. - Eagle, Idaho

Good evening. I bought your Round Pen Leadership DVD and absolutely love it! Thanks for your help!

K. M. - Middleburg, Florida

Sylvia Scott's Horse Training Tips

Sylvia Scott's
Horse Training Tips