From Elisabeth Mohr
Nevada and I would like to send a big thank you for your communication & reading session. After the insights you gave me on how Nevada wants to be treated by a human, I can tell you our partnership went to the next level.
Straight after our session I went to see her and told her I understand now and will do my very best to respect her voice. She has indeed a voice too in this relation and I promised I’ll do my best to watch for every sign of her when she wants to tell me something. Since that moment she opened up – like a flower really. Her facial expression was full of energy and connection. The relief was definitely there!
Now in our groundwork play sessions I noticed a lot of differences but the main ones are:
Almost no bucking anymore (!) this is HUGE, she understands that if she is on a turnout or in the pasture she can do whatever she wants but when we are together doing something I want her to respect me because I made it clear I respect her, if she does buck I read it now clearly as a sign of confusion but it has reduced dramatically and this makes me very happy and optimistic for the riding part. After all, I want to be safe.
Attention: she knows perfectly when something is expected from her. It is like she understands now that I understand her role is equally important in this relation and with that, there comes the responsibility to it, and she takes it! She is very on cue, waiting clearly for a question, being polite, and check in on me, even more, to make sure we’re on the right track. I also let her make suggestions on what we should do that day and make sure I end my sessions with something she loves to do such as jumping barrels or a walk in the woods.
Exploring: you emphasized frequently Nevada needs exploration time – so when we walk somewhere, whether it is a forest walk or simply from the stable to the arena, I let her take her time and sniff around when she wants to. I noticed I was a terrible human for her in this area because I was thought that when she stops to sniff she is disobedient – and in some cases, it could be indeed a ‘testing’ of leadership – but in her case it is not, she genuinely wants to know what this bucket or pole or tree is about. So I let her. Since I’ve been giving her space and time to do this and respect her need (that is what is important here) she is much easier to walk around with and relaxes faster if we encounter something new or strange. Very nice progress and again positive when we should go out for a ride instead of a walk in the future.
Focus on me & RELAX: as described in the attention section: the focus is there and I definitely see a behavioral change to her ‘old’ self when someone else is handling her e.g. when my instructor is taking over if he wants to demonstrate something (and he is a very gentle horse minded guy that I trust) She is much more heads up and falls back into that role of bracing and tension because the ‘agreement’ I’ve made with her is not made with that person and she KNOWS. It is of course very flattering to see a much more respecting and relaxed horse when she is with me 🙂 She also looks me for if I’m not close and when working at liberty she hooks on directly. And on the relaxing topic: now she is comfortable to relax with me: it takes much less time to get the soft eye, soft neck, soft head. Something we have been working on very hard but she was braced because she didn’t feel understood – now she does and it shows in her tolerance of ‘surrender’ to me. She feels safe enough with me to lower the head and almost fall asleep. Something that would have taken ages in the past is now done by simply connecting and having the bond.
She benefits now from Crown and Heart Chakra massage and she is now open to give in to that energy. So I often build in a shiatsu session with her to loosen up that pelvis and treat the two mentioned Chakras.
I could go on Anna, for hours writing. The bottom line is: THANK YOU for reaching out 😉 so I could reach out to my horse properly and take our connection to the next level!
I have just finished you Beyond the Barn Volume I which was perfectly complementary to the advice you gave. Volume II is on its way to Belgium.
Wishing you a nice day and all the best to your loved ones.