If you've been following Poco's journey he came to me recently for a restart. We needed to address his physical pain first, and then build trust towards humans.
Initially he was defensive just when asked to be caught. Touching was bothersome as he'd twitch his skin, swish his tail, and move away. Anything human-related created a flee- backward, sideways, or at me...
I had to assume nothing, and offer him a new Conversation and prove that his mental engagement and physical try would be acknowledged.
I had to allow him time to search for what I was asking, without criticizing him if he didn't immediately offer what I wanted.
It is always fun to watch these once fearful animals reawaken and offer to participate. To see their real personality come through as their eyes brighten after having been dull and shut down for so long.
Today he quietly ground tied as I saddled him in my ranch saddle for the first time. Afterward he took a huge sigh and looked at me as if asking, "What's next?"
It was "boring," interaction with no obedience demanded. Instead, he offered to trust and try something that used to trigger massive stress, anticipation, and flee in him.
Small moments that can seem like no big deal to the human can be life-changing for the horse.
Would you like to learn more about reading and understanding horse behavior? Sign up for the upcoming "Reading the Horse" online course starting June 1. Click HERE for details.
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Sam