When Less Is More

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting a new horse who really wants connection, but is terrified. Her owner is a sometime student and her most pressing complaint is that catching her horse is usually a twenty minute exercise in frustration. The horse immediately starts walking away when my student L, enters the paddock and continues avoiding L as long as possible. There is a shelter centered in the back of the paddock and the “catching” sequence usually involves several chases circling around the shelter like an old slapstick movie.

This horse is a rescue horse with a history of cruel training in her first training experience. She is quite sensitive and reactive, has strong opinions and can be resistant. She is also quite smart and really wants to be friendly, but is afraid.

When L and I first approached the mare's paddock I noticed she was very tense, out of balance, and high headed. The minute we entered the paddock she turned around and walked away. Wanting to create a new experience for her, I asked L to leave and let me meet her by myself. L agreed, and I followed the mare. Along the way I stopped and talked to the horses along either side of her fence. As we traveled toward the back of the paddock, I watched for her invitation to approach and moved toward her only when invited. At the back of the paddock I herded her quietly and calmly for a couple minutes, always watching for her invitation. Soon, she allowed me to approach, and I touched her with the back of my hand. I spent about 10 minutes doing gentle bodywork with the back of my hand and gradually her head lowered, she started breathing again, and she let me touch most of her body. Then I thanked her, invited her to follow, and slowly walked away.

Gradually she turned and followed at a distance. When I reunited with L she was pleasantly surprised to see that her constantly high headed horse was now standing near the front of the paddock, looking at us

with a lowered head and neck, and a curious expression. This was a first in the years that L has owned the mare.

This is a case where less is more. In every choice that I made in this interaction, I chose the least that I could do and still advance towards trust and connection. Stopping to pay attention to the other horses, only approaching when invited, and stopping when the mare began to think about moving away, beginning to touch in the neutral area of the body and with the back of the hand, stopping after just a few minutes, rather than continuing as long as possible – all choices of less instead of more.

Horses are creature of subtlety. When we see them taking big actions in response to us, they already have been “whispering” and “talking” to us, and we, the dull creatures, have not noticed so now they are shouting. When horses are on high alert, the smallest movement or sound can send them in to dramatic reaction. If we claim to be the leader of our herd, (which is what we do when we domesticate horses) then they need us to be calm for ourselves and for them. That means subtle, soothing, non- threatening interation. If we can provide this “less” kind of communication then we get more. More communication, more trust, more connection.

This is the kind of “training” that produces horses who are big hearted, trusting, and willing to fulfill your requests. Of course there are many factors which contribute to a horse's behavior and performance, and all can be learned. You can create the environment, health, training and bonding process which brings out the best in your horse, and get what we crave in our horse/human relationship – balance, connection and harmony.

Bridle Less Riding Clinics: Sunday April 28 and May 5. IN a series of two half day clinics Penny will teach you how to ride   your horse bridle less..  The first clinic will teach the steps to prepare you and your horse for the unique experience,  the second will give you a chance to practice in an arena with experienced supervision.  This  method uses a lariat neck ring to free you and your horse from the effects and restraints of the bridle.  Bridle less riding can help horses who are heavy on the forehand,  high headed, or constantly playing with the bit lighten up, be calmer and more responsive.  The sensation of riding bridleless is free and blissful. Auditors are welcome at $10 for the morning. If you wish to bring a horse and participate call Penny at 512-917-1866 or email  wholehorsewoman@yahoo.com. Cost will be $65.00 per day.