Mindful Tips to a Calmer Horse!

When I get a horse in training that seems nervous, anxious, scared, or simply has no focus, my first step is not to go for a ride and try to fix things there.

Instead, it starts with creating a mental or spiritual connection with the horse in the barn.

I see a lot of horse owners who seem to be in a rush when they arrive at the barn; everything is moving at lightning speeds from the second they arrive, to the horse being brushed, saddled and ridden.

With such a hectic agenda surrounding the horses, no wonder they become unfocused, distracted, nervous, etc.

Keep in mind that the horse (as far as I know) doesn’t have an agenda and, if they do, it is much different from ours.

The agenda of the horse could look something like this:

1.???Survive by eating, plus relax and conserve energy to ensure excess energy for running, if a threat, is encountered.

2.????Easy to Moderate slow movement such as walking several miles a day to new grazing areas.

3.????Connect with other herd members for safety in numbers.

4.????Procreate if not gelded or spayed.

These are all things that we take away from them, if you think about it.

1.????They often can’t eat 24/7, and they get fed grain and such that isn’t necessarily healthy or natural for them, increasing their risk of colic, etc.

2.????They have us running around stressing them out, and intense training sessions or, if they belong to a riding school, potentially several training sessions in one day.

3.????They don’t get to hang out with us humans much because we are in such a hurry, and in many places horses are kept in separate stalls where they can’t touch or connect with other horses.

4.????The purpose of procreating is taken away from most horses early on in life, and so the only purpose left is to avoid discomfort and move toward comfort, if possible, and be there when we need them.

It’s not really a very fulfilling life.

I read an article about dogs one day and how they don’t have a life outside of ours either. When we leave for work, the dog has nothing to do for almost a whole day until we return. Sure, there are dog walking services and ways of communicating with your dog via electronic devices, but for animals I personally don’t believe that gives them the physical or emotional attention they need.

Not to make anyone feel bad, we are all in the same boat. However, I think it’s important to bring the focus back to Connection.

Connection is so many things.

As Hal Elrod, who wrote the Miracle Equation, mentions (not verbatim)?to live your best life; prioritize your highest value and your highest priority?on a daily basis.

Horses are so great at healing us and I think we should be more focused on returning the favor; not just by paying for expensive vet bills when things go wrong, but to really focus on giving them value and priority in our lives through ways that the horse can understand:

1.????Slowing down?when we are around them?and taking a beat-matching the rhythm of the horse, instead of human rushing.

2.????Brushing them slowly and with care all over. Noticing their body reactions, facial expressions, breathing and such.

3.????Moving deliberately and precisely when tacking up. Handling their face gently, not fumbling with the bridle, tweaking their ears or getting pieces of the bridle in their eyes or banging it against their teeth.

4.????Do up the girth with care as though it was your own belly. Nobody likes a belt tightened hard and fast.

5.????Walk calmly and consciously next to your horse, pay attention to his emotions and whether he needs your support. Don’t be distracted or talking to a hundred people while you walk.

Barn time is fun time, but it should also be comfortable for your equine partner, not another level of stress when their bodies are already stressed from not living a natural life and being jammed into our schedule.

Make time and space for your horse. That means take a breather. If you really value them and prioritize them as I know you do, don’t act like you have to hurry to squeeze them into your schedule and then call it quality time.

Really focus on the quality part both for you and for them. Make the time you spend together count towards building your relationship, connection and your training.

Take the time to observe the horse objectively and think about how you can best support them as a friend and still get the things done that you want to do.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize just how much horses live in their emotions. Many humans are also very sensitive to who surrounds them, what kind of energy is emitted from other people and how communication is handled.

Communication is constant when you’re with a horse because it’s nonverbal.?Think about what you are communicating to your horse when you are distracted or rushing, etc.

If the horse’s main instinct is to survive and avoid discomfort, then that’s the first thing that goes out the window when we show up with speedy agendas and a busy schedule.

Find your favorite way of connecting, whether it’s the beach, the forest, exercise or riding. Allow nature to remind you to slow down. When I’m out in nature, I don’t really need to be anywhere, I can take a beat and so can you.

Don’t forget to live in the present and be present and connected with your horse, that’s the space they live in.

Ride with Lightness

Celie xo

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