What are we doing when we’re standing around doing nothing while out of the pasture? If I’m stopped with Red on a lead rope in some in-between place where horses don’t normally stand, what exactly is it that’s going on?
On the way to the barn: We’re stopped because Red either chose to regulate himself by looking around or I stopped him when I noticed his breathing and posture getting more and more “up.” We are looking around together. I’m telling him what I see and how I think of it, and asking what he thinks.
In the barn aisle: I’m letting his eyes adjust after going from darkness to bright lights. I’m also pausing to let him take in all the information about who’s in the barn. If there are horses already in the grooming stalls I’m observing from a distance those horses’ mental state and evaluating if it’s going to affect Red.
At the back door of the barn: There’s a lot of feelings about this doorway, and we just stand and feel them. This is also where we practice feeling the energy difference between “blocking” and “moving.” That was a wonderful exercise we did today but it looks like just standing in a doorway. It feels like poking around at an energy, me flexing it and him prodding it, taking maybe a half step occasionally.
Anywhere out back, including the ring: This is still “new” area for Red. I know it doesn’t seem like it because he’s brought here all the time, but it’s been only while ridden before. Walking next to him is new here, and we stop to soak in the newness. While exploring around the property we stop to investigate things without blowing up about it. He WANTS to explore when we do it at his speed, when he can decide when to approach something. The other boarders keep being amazed at how calm he is. This is why. The ability to take back control of his world is giving him confidence. This happens with every horse I encounter. Every horse. They want to understand their world, they just have a different processing speed than us. Or maybe, do we see our world fully unless we slow down also?
Gift someone the permission to slow down with horses for the holidays: buy them Standing in a Field With Horses! Available on Amazon, Audible, and many major online bookstores.
Maeve Birch Home 