So why did this happen?

It's a question I get many times when I give feedback to my clients.

To be honest, I really can't answer that question. I may have some thoughts ,e.g. about saddle fit, hoof care, the training program - but in reality, our horses were not designed to live their lives they way we ask them to do so now.

I worked on a mare recently who has been progressing fabulously. But the week before my last session she became very spooky. When I put my hands on her, it felt like touching a live wire. But not just in one part, it was like a whole being was "wired".

So I asked them to allow her to move in the arena - I wanted to evaluate her overall being - the way she moved, the way she responded to stimuli, the way she processed things.

The most interesting thing was how heavy her footfalls were - it was like thunder. And while she trotted and cantered for a bit, it didn't help settle her. It only lessened the "charge" I felt.

She didn't feel connected to the ground - especially in her front legs. Somewhat similar to when your leg falls asleep and you try to walk, but without the tingling I if you can think of it that way. And since she is a very sensitive mare, I can only imagine how disconcerting this must have felt to her.

I felt a distinct "disconnect" right below and behind her elbow. I am sure you are asking:

What IS a DISCONNECT?

It's when the energy, so to speak, doesn't seem to flow - like a kink in a garden hose. The potential for energy to flow is certainly there, but there is an interference preventing or limiting this flow.

Once I was able to reduce, and later eliminate, this interference, this disconnect, she started really snorting - blowing out air like there was no tomorrow.

And when I was done and we put her back in the arena - her footfalls were mere whispers, her body moving with elegance and harmony. Lightness and connection.

So how did she disconnect? Did something happen? I really don't know. But I do know that I was able to help her, to have her "feel her feet". And in turn, her behavior changed.

We as humans usually want to know the "WHY" - but sometimes there are no right answers and the only way to move forward is to re-establish connection in the body and proceed from there. Because horses don't care about the "WHY" - they are only concerned about the "NOW".

If you would like to learn more about this, contact me. And when your horse acts differently, consider it's his only way of telling you something is happening with him.

Have the conversation that matters.