I saw this today on FB from a trainer I follow. She summed up what I have been doing all week with Tumbleweed. I took a step back and concentrated on the emotional, rather than the physical.
It seemed to me a better use of my time to help him settle into a relaxed mind and energy, rather than having emotional conversations about leaving the herd.
For example, here he is upon leaving the herd. Head high, hyper-vigilant. My first trainer, the one who starts them, allows her horses to work it out standing tied waiting for their turn. They stand tied for a good part of the day and find relaxation on their own
That’s not really possible for me, so I use TTouch to get him there faster. A session takes around 45 minutes. I work on face, ears, mouth, neck, back, legs, and tail.
I continue to try bladder meridian, too, which has helped many of my other horses, but it doesn’t do much for Tweed. I’ve been able to get a couple of releases, and when I do, I stand back and let him have a moment. But he’s mostly kind of bored with it.
When he’s fully relaxed, we go exploring, walking wherever the wind blows us.
The bodywork has made all the difference in his herd bound stuff. It’s nonexistent when we take the time to connect, or as in Sacred Spaces, find “communion.”
I want him to know I have his best interest at heart. A good leader should inspire that level of trust. By listening to his energy, and addressing the underlying causes, I am saying, “you’re safe with me.” If we can come out of winter with just that, it will change everything about our partnership.
Working on the emotional is so important. Much of my early learning was that the horse wasn’t allowed to have opinions and needed to ‘just get over it’. I like to think that I’m better now. There are times to push, times to insist on attention snd times to give them a beat to figure things out.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of that, and the proof, or evidence, is in the outcome you get. It hit me that I was just reinforcing his anxious energy by not first addressing it in this way. My hope is that it eventually takes less and less time and can be incorporated easily into his pre-grooming.
DeleteThat approach to herd bound behavior seems positive to me for two reasons: he gets the positive association of physically feeling good through the TTouch, and he learns that you are in tune with him and listening as a member of his "herd" through the connection that is fostered.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is well said. Without that connection, we are really missing the most vital part of the foundation, and it will show up, especially on the trail.
DeleteWinter is a great time to work on connection, rather than riding and schooling. You will both benefit from it!
ReplyDeleteI agree. He knows how to ride already. The bigger thing is getting together, and that’s really the most rewarding part.
DeleteTime well spent with Tumbleweed! It must be rewarding to feel the change in him.
ReplyDeleteYes, and such an easy thing to do that helps me to feel more relaxed, too. And the bonus is that it can be done in any weather.
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