It's About The Horse

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4353 Location: Kansas

It's always been a hard thing for me to wrap my brain around. I got an idea at a few clinics, but never really grasped it, really. I wanted to. Meanwhile, as Dori said, I just kept swimming. Fake it till ya make it.
I think I finally experienced it the other day. I'm one of those humans that has to feel it to get it. Been workig with Shaun, my ottb rescue, helpinng him relax at feeding time. Started him out with waiting in his spot until I put his bucket down. He was very pushy and tried to go after the food, any food, and that left both mares and me defending our space. Them, squealing and kicking, me waving my arms, NO NO NO! I finallly taught him to go to his spot and wait. He's a fast learner, so then it was on to asking him for "pretty ears". I used my reed to push energy if he came to dinner with pinned ears. I quickly saw how little energy it took...barely anything! A whisper! The softer I am, the more he tries to get those ears up. Too much, too soon, he can't even look at me.
My big aha, the release happens as the horse decides to do what you are asking for. I think it's helped me watching Shaun, really watching for any change at all when I ask him for those ears. It's like, if I release as he's deciding, my release draws those ears forward. If I don't, my ask gets in the way, and I mean physically. His ears can't come forward because I'm still asking.
Buck talked alot about us being too late with our release. I think I finally have the slightest inkling what he was talking about. I cringe to think about how big my asks, how harsh my hands, how rough I must have felt to my horses. It takes so very little.
Shaun is a race horse. He is spirited. Hawk is an arabain. He was...well, ya'll know. lol! Two of the most sensitive horses I've ever met. Soft, ask, release. How old am I? And I'm JUST seeing this?

_________________
"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

Mandy'sMarty · Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 6:08 am Post subject:

Atta guurrrl, Deb!

Sensitive horses make the best teachers. I suspect using that reed to push energy helped you get in touch with the feel. Play with using Reiki energy while directing it with your palms, instead of using the reed. I bet Shaun will respond to that...and it might give you an even lighter, softer touch with the reed when you choose to use it.

If you do experiment with Reiki with your horses...be careful. I've found that animals are incredibly sensitive to it and it takes them a while to be able to tolerate it when you actually physically touch them. I learned the hard way. I accidentally pointed my hands with fingers directly aimed at Mandy once and she squealed and jumped sideways. It was too intense!
_________________
Marty

We must be willing to let go of
The life that we planned
So as to have the life
That is waiting for us.

~Author Unknown

PasoBaby_CarolU · Site Admin Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Posts: 9031

I agree with Marty. My best teacher was Zar...and it amazes me how sensitive a horse can be. Just LOOK at her and sometimes that is too much.

It is kind of the Zen book Deb, we go to our horses with the idea of teaching them, but the reality is that they teach us - so much.
_________________
Carol Nudell
Corazon de Oro Paso Finos

"The path to your horse's heart lies through your own."

Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots. - Words of Wisdom - Mhar

‎"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss activities; Small minds discuss people." - Eleanor Roosevelt

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4353 Location: Kansas

I think the zen book should be required reading for all horse owners. I love this...

_________________
"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4353 Location: Kansas

Tried just hands and energy with Shaun at feeding time, and he pushed right through. Went back to reed this morning, but was very mindful of my release and energy I sent out. Very subtle, and he did pretty darn good.
Last night Bit was keeping him away from the round bale, so I pushed Bit over and then invited Shaun in. THAT he was very good at, probably because I make sure he always has a place at the round bale. Just eye contact, and waving him forward, and he came on in. Softly! Now how do I do this with his breakfast?
I put him online! If he knows it in the ground work, he's gonna get it at breakfast! Put him on line, and invite him in when his ears are forward. Those ears get pinned, yo yo him back.
_________________
"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

bit · Member Joined: 02 Feb 2009 Posts: 4353 Location: Kansas

Ended up playing with Eclipse all day. Just rode in the pasture I have closed off, so about 30 acres. She had the herd at one end and the stallion at the other. Got to practice buddy sweet issues at both ends. She did real good, and I got to canter her when we were close to where she wanted to be. I love, love, love her canter! Was sad when she said, "I'm ok now". Uh, what? I'm having so much fun, tho! I'm fine! Can we walk now? Ugh. Fine.
What I tried with Shaun, and it worked, I carried the reed, but didn't use it. Started asking for pretty ears right off, and he did great. Best ever! I remember having to carry a crop, but never using it back in the day. Carried that cs when in the pasture with Hawk for the longest time.
Headed out towards KC today with Eclipse to ride a 1800 acre equestrian park with some friends. 65 today! whoot!
_________________
"It was once said I should clear my head for one cannot ride a Thoroughbred. Hot they are. And too fast they be. Forever on the fly. But I stayed the course and have no remorse. I love my off the track racehorse!"

PasoBaby_CarolU · Site Admin Joined: 31 Jan 2009 Posts: 9031

Sounds great Deb...and a good way to work on her sour issues. Your weather sounds lovely too. We aren't nearly so lucky...but hey, a high in the 40's beats highs in the 20's any day!

I think Shaun might take time. Time and consistency to lighten up. I think it will come. Your heart is right there with his.
_________________
Carol Nudell
Corazon de Oro Paso Finos

"The path to your horse's heart lies through your own."

Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots. - Words of Wisdom - Mhar

‎"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss activities; Small minds discuss people." - Eleanor Roosevelt