#Equi-Quality Challenge
Day 2
Change Hands
By learning the practice of staying mentally present and adaptable, it allows one to intentionally practice changing hands when doing things.
Switch whichever hand would predominantly pick up the halter. Notice the pattern of how the gate or stall door is opened, and practice using the other hand. When brushing the horse, notice if the same hand holds the brush irrelevant of what side you're on.
Although it's a great opportunity to practice being ambidextrous, which improves communication for you lead rope and rein handling skills, this self-assessment and changing habitual patterns is about re-engaging your brain to assign value and intention to what you're doing at ALL times when with the horse.
Whether or not you realize it, everything you are doing in proximity to the horse, he is aware of and responding to. Often, the initial subtle behaviors and communication offered by him are missing because humans are mentally far ahead of what they are currently physically doing.
This causes them to miss all the indications the horse is offering as to what he needs addressed first, to then be available toward human communication.
Do you have mindless patterns when with your horse? What simple behaviors could you replace them with?
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Sam