Lucky – we got it!

So, the last session removed the last of Lucky’s fear & anxiety. Which is good. And, which led to the next layer of the onion.
So often when I get to the point that the horse finally realizes he/she can trust, the next stage is challenging boundaries. Pretty normal reaction, all things considered. Carolyn Resnick’s Waterhole Rituals deal with this.
So, Lucky was different tonight about haltering and the saddle. He was turning his shoulder to me, cutting turns a bit close, bringing his haunches in on me, refusing to give his eyes. All subtle ways of getting into my space and challenging me.
Interestingly, I’ve been having lots of Parelli encounters lately, particularly with a client of mine. It occured to me that some of the basic exercises are a lot like the Taking Territory aspects of the Waterhole Rituals. So, I reached back to my Level I Parelli from back in ’98 and did some basics with Lucky.
Fingertip yields of the shoulders and hindquarters, sending, circles, backing. Especially backing, as he was determined to crowd me tonight. I did everything gently and subtly, with breaks to relax.
It only took about 10 minutes, with plenty of pauses to chew things over, and he sighed and dropped his head and walked calmly with me.
When I got the saddle out, he made one try to shoulder past me. I backed him with the lead, and on the next try he stood for the saddle. (I used the lead Parelli-style, rather than the TTEAM wand and exercises, because I had a lead in one hand and a saddle over my arm, leaving no hand free for the wand.)
I put the saddle on and took it off from both sides a few times, and Lucky stood.
Looks like we’ve got the issue resolved.
Phew.

I must say I’m still thoughtful about the process. I still dream of a horse wanting to be ridden, accepting tack on the first try with only curiosity. And, perhaps that is too much to ask for from a horse with baggage and history. Only time and furter learning will tell.

I’m planning to go to 2 sessions daily over the weekend, so we can continue the ground games and get some riding in as well.

Plus, I’m working up fitness programs for the 2 oldest horses (28+). I’ll post more about that next week.

Fun & easy!