It's all About Energy!

We have all been on a horse and felt their massive energy radiate right through us...but did you know that the "energy field" of a horse starts up to 10 feet before you physically reach them?

You can read so much about a horse when you enter their space (I am talking energy space). I often don't even have to touch a horse before I can tell how they are going to be feeling and reacting to my presence. Part of using "feel" with horses is being sensitive and aware to how the horse is acting, responding and tolerating a situation before you even start the work.

All this is determined based on the horse and the energy of the situation. Some horses feel strong, powerful and confident while others are withdrawn, edgy and suspicious. What does this mean for me? I always work to ground myself by keeping myself neutral, calm and creating a safe environment. I have worked on several nervous horses where I have been able to successfully remain in their space for a full treatment session. Sometimes this means modification to make thing run smoothly. I have walked in backwards towards a horse, moved them to various locations for improved comfort and often don't even speak a word when I am working. I don't claim to be a full on "horse whisperer" or whatever they are calling it now, I just do my best to interpret how the horse is going to react.

There are some sessions that just aren't safe. Sometimes a horse is simply too keyed up, nervous or anxious to tolerate 5 minutes let alone an hour. Luckily, these have been few and far between, but I work hard to recognize what the horse is telling me and ultimately keep us both safe. If you quiet down, it gets easier to recognize when coming in close isn't a great idea.

One mare I work on is by nature a more nervous horse, typically only trusting her owner to be in her space for long periods of time. This mare and I had a good thing going and several awesome sessions behind us, but last week was a different story. She was much more nervous than normal, anxious and honestly ready to bolt. I could feel a high, terrified energy and knew this was likely not going to be a treatment day. I tried a few of my techniques and I could touch her but not for long and with little effect. So we transitioned to a larger enclosed space, removed all restraints and just simply let her move. I spent 30+ minutes of quiet time with this mare and her owner. I was not asking anything of her, I just simply wanted us to be around each other while giving her the full freedom to move as she needed. My goal was to show this horse I am not there to force her into anything, the only thing I sought from her was sustaining the trust that we had built previously. We rescheduled for the next morning and she had one amazing session with tons of releases and relaxation. I was able to walk right up to her and this sweet mare was beyond receptive to me being in her space. I am so glad I listened to what she was telling me the previous day.

It's all about the energy. As horse people we need to learn to feel it, read it and understand it. I often say (and really mean it) that every single horse teaches me something. Perhaps the lessons I have learned will make for another post down the road... For now, I challenge each of you to pay attention to your horse when you walk into that space surrounding them. If you are at a place where you can interact with several horses do this on as many as possible. Notice the differences between horses, the reactions, the distance you are before you start to feel the horse. Take note in how your approach changes with each horse. Are you quiet? Are you more confident and forward? Do you need to side step or even move in backwards? This will teach you to be more aware, quiet down the internal chatter and become

more in tune with these amazing creatures.

Am I an expert? No, not by a long shot. As I mentioned before, I learn something daily and do my best to incorporate my new found knowledge. I want to make every session as beneficial and useful to each horse as I possibly can.

What experiences have you had? What does your horse "feel" like? What techniques have you tried? Comment below and let me know. We all have some nugget of wisdom to share, so let's all learn together!