Floating and saddling problems solved sooo… gently
Email from Kathy who did the Kyneton clinic last week:
WoooooHoooooo and Do a Little Dance!!! I heard you say (in your book and in person) that this process could result in the horse letting go of trauma so completely that they may forget things they previously “knew” when they’d learned it in a chronic not too sure zone or the Oh Shit I’m dead Zone……. but Wunjo and I personally experienced it when it came time to load up on the last day. Wunjo had no fear of the float…..but didn’t know what was being asked, just like a baby horse.
(Jenny: Wunjo was an obedient float loader before he came to the clinic, but like many horses, he was not happy about it. When they are on the float through obedience rather than from being truly comfortable in it, it can be part of a much bigger problem. Fear is cumulative, i.e. each fear adds on to the other until you have a giant fear made up of sometimes small things.)
If I didn’t have a 3.5 month old filly right now, I might have missed how much like a “baby” Wunjo had become.
(Jenny: It was like starting brand new with a baby foal, teaching him that a horse float was an OK place to be. Because he was in this “baby place”, it took about an hour and a half to establish a pattern of no fear of the float, that will be there for the rest of his life.)
With your guidance, we took the time needed to help Wunjo understand what was being asked while he was in his comfort zone and when it came time to unload him half way home…..he didn’t hesitate to jump back on the trailer. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I might not have truly believed the depth of change.
I would also like to share a very special moment, when Wunjo was actually processing his “issues” with a saddle all on his own. We had done the group saddling the day before (Wunjo has had very deep reservations about the halter/ rope/ blanket/ saddle) where Wunjo participated from a distance (his choice).
(Jenny: If you’re wondering what Kathy is talking about re “group saddling” see the post called “Releasing trauma from horses”)
I decided to put the saddle in the paddock and played with it a bit, Wunjo and I advancing and retreating…..then I went over and began talking to Jenny. While we were standing some distance away, Wunjo walking around the saddle, then did a bit of advance and retreat all on his own …. with lots of licking and chewing in between. It was absolutely amazing to witness!
(Jenny: Kathy is understating the case, possibly out of modesty! Wunjo had been deeply traumatised, particularly by the saddle, although he was reasonably obedient, but completely shut down, with no joy in him. She did such a brilliant and very patient job to get rid of the effects of this trauma, that he was actively co-operating and working at it by himself. It was a truly amazing thing to watch. And wow was her patience worth it!!)
What a magical experience this clinic was and such a gift to both humans and horses. Thank you so much for sharing so much of yourself with us, Jenny!!! I’m so looking forward to continuing this journey with Wunjo………..and for the first time since I’ve known him, Wunjo is too!!! XOXOXOXOXO
Jenny: If you want what Kathy and Wunjo have got, then you can get it with the book and audio lesson set “Zen Connection with Horses” in the book shop. Click here to read about the exciting new tele-conferencing clinics where you and your horse can get the benefit of a clinic without ever leaving home.
