Emotional Horsemanship I Lockie Philips
USING: A Welfare Protocol and Training Techniques
How to express your gratitude to a horse in a way they understand?
1. When the horse doesn’t give you what you want, try smiling about it. Breathe-in. Wait. You can always repeat the question in a moment. And maybe they didn’t understand you or can’t do that thing today. Or maybe their lesson for you today is not about you getting what you want, but something else.
2. When the horse does give you what you want in two seconds or less, permit yourself to feel joy about that. Smile like a maniac. Don’t be entitled or demanding (Unless in an emergency of safety). Tell that horse, in your language, that it was wonderful what they did. And feel what you say, so that the horse feels you too.
3. The 1-Minute Ride. Once in a blue moon (For established, hardworking saddle horses). Catch, groom, tack, warm up, mount. Sit for one minute quietly. Get off. Finish. Say THANK YOU to the horse and give them some extra hay that day.
4. When correcting a horse who has problematic posture, movement issues, or behavioral issues. Remember that it is their body not yours. Maladaptive responses exist for a really good reason and taking those away from a horse too quickly and absolutely could deprive the horse from an important coping strategy that is holding them together. Go slower in your reformation of what you deem incorrect, so that the horse has a chance to contribute to it too. They may not adhere to the rules of the system you are using, so give them a chance to SHOW you, what they need.
5. Give your horse the absolute best quality of life you can.