Howdy Friends,
When we welcome horses into our lives, we make a life
change. Sure for ourselves, but more importantly for the horse. Even those who
had been with and enjoyed the company of horses all of, or most of their lives
have had those moments. For some there have been many of those life changing
moments. I’ve had my share. I’ve learned from the horses I’ve known how difficult
that transition can be for the horse. I fear folks sometimes don’t totally
understand the depth of emotions horses carry.
Their emotions run deep, far deeper and much more powerful
than most horses show. It is a horse’s nature to conceal their emotions, pain
and confusion. Keeping secrets is their most powerful defense mechanism.
Oh sure nearly every person recognizes pinned ears, the
tight eye, swishing tail. We all smile at the nicker, nuzzle and run to great
us. We understand the refusals, crowhops, and willing softness and cooperation.
But do we catch the hidden displays of emotions? How can we if they’re hidden?
When horses make a move into our world, our lives, it is a
wonderful and extraordinary thing for us. It is a monumental thing for the
horse, but most horses are masters of disguise.
Horses memories last a
lifetime, and so do the emotions that are attached to those memories. Even if
the horse is owned, ridden and loved by the same person when moved to a new
boarding facility, that horse will pine for friends it left behind and need to
adjust to the new horses in her world. Read my story, “There is more to our story.” Imagine the horse moved from one owner to another, and a new home all
at the same time. And many horses endure that far too often. It took Kessy six
months to accept and enjoy a hug.
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| Kessy loves her hugs now. She'll even come ask for a hug. |
How can we see and feel those hidden emotions? The most
important aid is to understand our horses are not “for us.” They are “part of
us.” We don’t have a horse “for us” to show, trail ride, jump, barrel race or
learn dressage. Our horse makes those things possible for us, because they are “part
of us.” See the world from your horse’s point of view, be part of her, and
quickly you’ll gain an understanding of those moments when your best friend
just “seems a little off.”
Gitty Up, Dutch Henry
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