Mindful vs Mind Full Horse Interactions

 

Anticipation...in the human

 

A common challenge many equine enthusiasts face is struggling with the anticipation of "what will happen" when with their horse.

 

There is a fine line of being aware of your surroundings, and things that are occurring at the moment, but to also not fixate on these and the potential outcome.

Horse Learning

 "People can only meet you at the depths in which they meet themselves," The Art of Noticing

I find this amplified in observing those on "the horse journey." The availability of a person curious and committed to learning, searching, trying, and experimenting to improve their horse skills is relative to their current mental and emotional state.

Same with their choice to neutrally acknowledge and believe the horse's feedback reflecting holes in his education or triggers in what he experiences during human interactions. Seeing it as insight of where or what to address to help the horse through defensiveness or fear... or the more common approach of quashing and critiquing his communication, because of how it makes the person feel.

Subtle Horse Behavior- can you recognize the difference? Alternative Horsemanship™

 

 If you haven't checked out the Remote Horse Coach video catalog lately, you might do so to see the latest horse behavior courses, webinars, and classes.

Recognizing subtle horse behavior with Alternative Horsemanship™

 If you haven't checked out the Remote Horse Coach video catalog lately, you might do so to see the latest horse behavior courses, webinars, and classes.

The Search - Engaging the Horse's Mind to create willing Behavior

 In Conversations with the horse we are asking them to mentally "search" for what is being presented, and then to physically act upon those thoughts.

 

It could be a variety of scenarios, such as for them to find a specific location to stand in while they are loose in the pasture/stall/round pen, it could be for them to stand in their "box," (what I define as the imaginary, spatially respectful distance near us,) as we ask them to wait. It could be maintaining a soft feeling on the rein as we ride, it could be the horse tracking straight on an imaginary "line" we visualize. 

Horse Skills- The Check-In by Alternative Horsemanship™

Improving Horse Skills - The Check-In

I often encounter people who are surprised or overwhelmed by their horse's responses. There tends to be a major gap in the human's perception of when/what/how things have occurred rather than an understanding of all the ongoing, continuous equine communication that was ignored, overlooked, or criticized and how the animal's feedback would "tell" the person what behaviors were coming next.

In trying to help people become more aware and considerate of what the horse was experiencing during human interactions, I came up with the idea of the "check-in."

In human terms, think if you were walking and someone familiar tapped you on the shoulder from behind. Your focus would be drawn to them, you might slow or pause your behavior, and you would probably engage in conversation to hear what they wanted. But if it was someone you were unfamiliar with or distrustful of, you would respond very differently. The latter responses are how I see many horses act toward people.

 

The Check-In is a "tool" for both the human and horse to develop that offers a consideration, and acknowledgment of one another.

Initially, it may be done at the halt, but later it will occur as movement continues whether the horse is being ridden or worked with from the ground.

Alternative Horsemanship Livestream: Adaptability

 

Reminder Saturday September 14th 9am pdt join me for the Adaptable Interactions Livestream in the Alternative Horsemanship Locals Community 

Helping the Horse with Worried Eyes

Question:

"Hi Samantha,

The other day you talked about stress showing around the horse's eyes.

I recently bought & watched your "Reading the Horse" series, and it helped me get better at seeing more subtle signs of tension sooner. It's really helpful. Thank you for making those videos available!

This is my boy Ernie. He's a Belgian. He is a wonderful sweet friendly guy in his early teens.

He's a PMU foal from Canada, and we got him when he was 2. His job is to be a pet and ride just for fun. He has 2 acres to wander about and he has 3 horse friends with him.

He seems like he really wants to please. And he worries. The pic of his worried face is an extreme example of his "worried eyebrows". I took it right as something that bothered him happened nearby.

My concern is that he looks worried quite often. In your videos, you talked about the type of horse that will keep his emotions in until suddenly he can't. He has never reached that point, and I would like to support him better so he will not reach the point of being overwhelmed.

What should I be doing to support him and help him build confidence? I try to be gently clear and consistent in everything I ask of him, but I'm sure I can get better. I want him to feel confident and enjoy his life."