My client Brooke wanted to have me watch her do some liberty work with one of her horses. She brought her Dutch warmblood gelding, Journey into the round pen and released him. I could see that he was not at ease and that his body was holding quite a bit of tension. He looked a little concerned about his environment and was not connected to Brooke. He was moving around with a tense body and high head, staring out beyond the pen. He paid no attention to Brooke. Brooke had her liberty stick in her hand. I wondered if she was about to start moving his feet by driving him around the pen to get his attention.
I asked if she wanted me to just watch to see what she did with him before commenting. Or did she want me to start commenting as soon as I saw something that I would do differently? Since I saw that Brooke and her horse were disconnected from one another, the way in which they would start this liberty session would make a big difference to its outcome, and the fun they could have together.
You can use drive alone to direct a horse and get him to perform, but it will never be as beautiful, flowing, intuitive and relaxed as when the flow comes from both the horse and the person connected to one another and moving in unison. It’s never “go!” Instead, it’s “let’s go!” In this case pressure is never force, but communication. The dance of unison is created through draw not drive.
Since Journey was a little worried about his environment and disconnected from Brooke, I suggested that Brooke start by putting down her liberty stick, walking over beside Journey and just “seeing the being”. “Seeing the being” is noticing the someone looking out of that other pair of eyes and noting what is on their mind. What concerns them. How they are feeling in the situation. It’s like asking someone “how are you doing?” and really caring about their answer. By doing this, the other understands that we understand them. It aligns our nervous system with theirs. It says in a quiet way to them, “I see you and I care.”
If we can be present and regulate our own nervous system into a calm, non-judgmental state, and then see the being, we can create a sense of comfort and connection. This type of connection invites the horse to join you in play or work. You find they are more relaxed, ready and willing to join you.
It was just what Journey needed. Brooke stood by his side and watched him. She paid attention to what he was looking at in the distance. She noted his stance, expression and muscle tone. He softened. She softened. He looked to her as if to say, ‘What should we do?’
Brooke gestured that maybe he would like to come off the wall and walk with her a bit. He did. They walked side by side around the pen. Then they stood together connected, calm and relaxed in the center of the pen. They were now in the right place to begin work or play. They were connected to each other through draw, ready to go together.
