For fearful riders, building trust with a horse can be both daunting and rewarding. One of the most powerful ways to establish this bond is through grooming. It’s not just about cleanliness; grooming fosters a deeper connection and understanding between rider and horse.
Grooming sessions provide a safe space for both horse and rider to relax and communicate non-verbally. As you gently brush your horse’s coat, you begin to understand their body language and responses. This mutual interaction builds confidence and trust on both sides. Ask them to move a foot or pick it up. Gently have them step away from you so you can reach a different spot. Play with them while brushing them.
For the rider experiencing fear or anxiety, grooming offers a soothing routine that grounds them in the present moment. The rhythmic strokes of the brush and the horse’s calming presence create a sense of peace and stability. As you focus on caring for your horse, worries diminish, replaced by a sense of purpose and companionship.
Moreover, grooming allows riders to observe and appreciate their horse’s physical condition. By noticing subtle changes in the coat, skin, and muscles, riders become more attuned to their horse’s well-being. This awareness not only strengthens the bond but also enhances the rider’s ability to detect any potential health issues early on.
Beyond the physical benefits, grooming nurtures emotional connections. The quiet moments spent grooming encourage reflection and mindfulness, promoting a positive mindset before and after riding sessions. Over time, as trust grows between horse and rider through these shared experiences, fear diminishes, replaced by a sense of partnership and mutual respect.
I love putting a huge pile of good hay in front of the horse so they can feel satisfied and fill their belly while I groom. I can hear the soothing sounds of munching and smell the wonderful aroma of good hay. The horses can really relax with their head down while I groom.
This blog emphasizes the therapeutic and bonding aspects of grooming for fearful riders, aiming to reassure and inspire confidence through the simple yet profound act of caring for your horse.
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Imagine for a moment that you could see yourself through your horse’s eyes. What would your horse think of you as their rider? As their caretaker? Horses are incredibly perceptive animals, attuned to our emotions, actions, and routines. If they could speak, what changes would they suggest for a better partnership and a better "us"?
Firstly, horses love consistency. They thrive on routines that provide a sense of security and predictability. Keeping exercise schedules, and grooming rituals consistent can help them feel more relaxed and cooperative. So, if your horse could speak up, they might commend you for your punctuality and consistency in caring for them. On a side not, too much routine with feeding can increase stress. I feed at all different times so my horses are relaxed and not standing there waiting for food. If they were to comment, they would say, "oh hey, it is feeding time" instead of "where is she, she is late".
Horses also value empathy and understanding. They would want us to leave our monkey thoughts at home, we don't need them and they want us present with them, not stuck in our monkey brain. They might wish for more patience and sensitivity in handling. Horses are sensitive creatures, both physically and emotionally. They respond positively to gentle, calm interactions. Your horse might nudge you to be more aware of their body language and moods, urging you to adjust your approach accordingly. My horses have clearly told me that want me in charge. They can relax and don't have to be on guard when they know I am taking care of them and their surroundings. This was a hard one for me to see through their eyes. It wasn't about being kind or not, it was about them knowing my boundaries and that I would keep them safe no matter what and that required me to show them I am strong emotionally.
Furthermore, horses are athletes and partners, not just pets. They thrive on clear communication and respect. Your horse might suggest improvements in your communication skills, whether through refining your aids in riding or enhancing your ability to read their signals on the ground. Understanding their perspective can lead to a more harmonious and effective partnership.
Ultimately, if your horse could offer feedback, they might advocate for maintaining what already works well while refining areas where improvement is possible. They might cherish your reliability and care while gently nudging you towards deeper understanding and empathy. By putting yourself in your horse’s shoes, you can cultivate a relationship built on mutual trust, respect, and understanding—a partnership where both human and horse can thrive together.
For more on how I found my strength, I talk about it a lot in my free fear to courage support group. I was so timid when I started and having this group has really helped others find their strength as well. Join us here.
Body language was a frustrating thing for me playing with my horses. Really think about it, they have huge ears that mean something. They have a tail that means something. They have four legs so lifting one up is really easy and it means something.
I spent a lot of time observing my herd of three. Ears were the easiest to see at first. They can flick an ear fast and the other horses move. Head swinging was reinforcement to the ear flicks and if that didn't work, was usually followed by teeth.
I can see a tail swish or a leg lift and know exactly what it meant. At the same time, swinging a head or swishing a tail for a fly meant nothing to the other horses so it wasn't entirely about the movement. It was the energy behind the movement. This I could work with!
I thought about being a mountain lion and the massive energy they would have, and I filled up and walked with that energy. The horses moved out of my way. It was fun and felt empowering and it also felt like I could keep myself safe.
The ears and tail were more challenging. I put a blue flag on the end of a dressage whip and held it down by my feet to act as my ears or my tail. Then, if I would pin my ears or swish my tail with meaning, I just used the flag. I also waved it around like I was swishing flies and didn't put the energy behind it. It worked exactly like their ears and tail. They moved when the energy was behind it and they just stayed relaxed if I was just swishing flies.
I encourage you to play with body language with your horses. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more when it comes to using body language as communication.
What is your favorite body language technique with your horse?
There are times when I am not able to ride. We get a lot of rain here in Kentucky and it is very slippery. I really don't feel safe riding when it is slippery. This has led me to get creative in how to play with my horses for connection. It is different for every horse if I really pay attention to what they think of as play, not just imposing my idea of play.
Taika is laid back, bottom of the pecking order and really up for anything that we get to do together without the other two herd mates. I have been playing with energy with her. She loves to be scratched so I have used that to play an energy game. I hold my hands up and let her come to me and put her body by my hands where she itches. Then if I have an itch, I point and feel itchy in that spot and her her scratch me.
Binky is really shut down in a lot of ways from her past. I love playing body language with her. I mirror her or match her to the best of my ability until she notices. I can breath in rhythm with her, move with her, look where she is looking. Just letting her know I see her. I am listening to her had helped her relax and want to hang out with me. She even lets me trim her feet at liberty now.
Michelle is a quiet observer in the middle of the herd. She is up for anything and just wants me to do stuff with her. She loves playing movement games. I love playing over, under, around, and through with her. Go over a log, under a tree branch, around a plant, and through a narrow path between vines or trees. This has been a really fun game to keep her attention on me and building her trust in me.
With your horses, which of these do you think your horse would enjoy the most? Taika - Scratching, Binky - Mirroring, or Michelle - Over, Under, Around, Through?
It is fun to do all the games with all of them but they definitely have their favorites.
Courage isn't the absence of fear; it's the ability to act in spite of it. Yet, for many, the journey toward courage is riddled with obstacles and doubts that can feel insurmountable. Whether it's the nagging voice of self-doubt, the excuses that we make up not to ride, or the relentless pursuit of being perfect, these hurdles can dim the light of bravery within us. However, with mindful awareness and intentional action, it's possible to navigate through these challenges and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.
Self-doubt often whispers (or yells) destructive thoughts that undermine our confidence and capabilities. It's the voice that tells us we're not good enough, smart enough, or we're going to get hurt or worse. To combat self-doubt, it's crucial to challenge these negative beliefs with evidence of past successes and affirmations of our strengths and talents. We are good riders. By reframing our self-talk and acknowledging our strengths and achievements, we can gradually dismantle the barriers erected by self-doubt and step into our power with confidence.
The first step is to write down, the whispers that you hear all the time. The ones that have you making up excuses. Once you have a list - write down the good thoughts that it could be.
Here are a few: I might get hurt = I might enjoy my ride; I might fall off = I am a good rider; My horse might buck/rear/bolt = I am now prepared to know when my horse is ready to ride. Practice the ones on the right, as often as you can until they become the primary whispers.
Second step is to look back at all the wonderful rides you have had. Soak those up. Spend time in those memories. If a negative memory pops in, say "thank you" and let it go. Picture setting it free to float off on it's own until it gets smaller and smaller and is out of sight. Then think of 10 more wonderful rides to replace that one memory. Spend time in the memories of wonderful rides.
In essence, overcoming obstacles and doubts on the path to courage requires a combination of self-awareness, self-compassion, and intentional action. By challenging negative beliefs, reframing failure, and embracing vulnerability, we can unleash our inner courage and navigate challenges with resilience and grace. So, let us embark on this journey to enjoy riding our horses together and let courage fill us up!
