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NEWS & ARTICLES : Hello, Is Anybody Listening?

Hello, Is Anybody Listening? (originally published in PetFolio magazine)

Your horse is asking you questions. Are you answering them?

"We're really having trouble. He just won't pick up his feet for me. He kicks out, runs off or runs me over. We've done some round pen work, but it's getting worse."

This was the first time I'd met the horse. I ignored his running about. He suddenly came to see me. I started by just touching him all the way to his feet. I asked nothing of him except that he wait to see what I wanted. If he left, I ignored him. He always came back.

Before long, he realized that all I wanted was to touch him, so he stayed. Then I asked him to shift his weight from one foot. If he left, I only asked him to stay and trust me, and wait. Then I repeated my request. When he shifted his weight off the one foot, I quit asking. If he offered something else, I just stayed with him and repeated my request.

Every time he asked a question, I answered him. He asked me if I wanted him to run around. I ignored him. He realized that I had answered, "No, I don't need you to run around." When he asked me if by touching him I meant to have him move, I answered him by waiting until he stood still to praise him, and let him know that movement wasn't required. When he asked me if I wanted his feet to move when all I needed was a shift of weight, I answered him by staying with him until all he did was shift his weight off the one foot. Then I rubbed him and left him alone. The process continued over less than an hour, until he was picking up a foot when I asked instead of leaving.

The day after this work, the owner called to report that the horse had let her pick up all of his feet. Now he lets anyone pick up his feet. The problem is completely over.

Like most horses, this horse was asking simple questions. Unfortunately, no one realized he just needed a single, clear, easy answer.

Try listening for the questions your horse asks. Answer him with the most singular focus you can find, and see how much easier it all becomes for both of you... Open the communication lines.