Addressing the Horse's Concern- Alternative Horsemanship the Remote Horse Coach

The Horse's Concern

What if we recognized and addressed the initial signs of concern before it erupted into:
Bucking
Bolting
Kicking
Spooking
"Over-reaction"
Biting
Fixating
Fleeing movement
Biting at the Air
Pawing
Jigging
Stomping
Weaving
and so many other moments responded to as, "OH, he just does that, he's being a ____."
How many times do you look at the horse and notice the feedback he is giving you? In his breathing, eyes, ears, muzzle, breathing, shoulders, topline, knees, hocks, the position of his feet, tail, the movement of his rib cage, his focus, and so many other physical posturings that reflect his initial mental concern.
And if the horse is displaying concern, how often do you take it as a personal challenge to survive, or do you see it as an Opportunity to offer him support to mentally think through and then physically move through a potentially concerning moment?
How often do you interpret the beginning of unwanted behavior and translate that as the horse asking for guidance and support, just he would receive if he was in the herd, versus him being disobedient or "disrespectful" towards you?
This was a troubling moment for the pictured horse and we were working through things, first mentally and then physically. But it was also a place where depending on my intention I could have very easily reinforced his defensiveness and anticipation, or by offering support, could help him think through the scenario in smaller segments and let go of the mental concern and physical tension.
If the human intention is built upon how to best help the horse, the Conversation with the equine completely changes as does his willingness to try.