This ep is basically a speed run of all the things I've learned over the past year that have largely changed my life. All centered around increasing your connection with your horse, this episode goes into mindfulness, perception, intention, some emotional regulation and more. Additionally, I answer a listener question regarding a horse who nips/bites. Here's the question:
"I was wondering if you could discuss what a horse who nips means. My mare was scoped and treated for ulcers and I have seen a huge difference in her. She’s done with treatment but usually still nips when you go to pet her. I’ve been working on consent based care in the past months and also asking her if I can move into her space which seems to be working to make her feel much more comfortable. My question is why would she continue to nip? Is it a learned history from the ulcer? (you couldn’t groom/tack up or in anyway pet her without her biting at you) She’s on a gastric support feed and a ration balancer in order to keep her sugars down so I don’t think the ulcers are back since she is in a very low stress environment from what I observe with low sugar grains. Could I also be influencing this behavior by expecting it? Also what can I do to make her more comfortable when being around me? Just so you know I’m younger which means that I don’t have everything that I would want for her. She’s at my house so I have full control of her living situation (outside 24/7 with other horses)."
This question calls to mind the tendency to focus on what is going wrong, thereby expecting it, and perhaps even unintentionally influencing it to go wrong. Try to avoid statements like, “I want my horse not doing xyz,” as this still focuses your attention on the negative. This tends to lead to punishment, fear, or pain. Instead try this:
Ex: Horse bites
- Unproductive: I don’t want my horse to bite.
- Productive: I want my horse to feel safe, to interact with me with a closed, still muzzle.
Enjoy!
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EquiTheory Podcast — Hosted by Jill Treece of JETEquiTheory
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