This week was a little different than the last few.
I didn’t have as much time to work with Gypsy as I had hoped, as life got in the way a little.
That being said, one of the things I find most important when working with any horse, let alone a new one…is that you have to be in the proper head space. Animals and humans are alike in that they have emotions, and express those emotions subconsciously sometimes via their body language. Horses who are not feeling well will have a drooped head, lethargic demeanor, and often not be interested in food. (Honestly, I’m the same way when I’m feeling under the weather….maybe I’m part horse? Haha)
This week I was so distracted by things that needed to be done around the house, one of my other horses needing medical attention, and more recently…a very large wildfire that is too close to our house for comfort. I knew that this was affecting my mental space and I didn’t want to cause undue stress on Gypsy by exposing her to that more than needed. In all my years of working with horses, that’s the number one thing I have learned. They pick up on these emotions and feed off of them. If you’re stressed, they’re stressed. If you’re calm, they’re calm. I am very good at staying calm when I’m around horses most of the time, however this week I couldn’t help it.
So this week, we took it easy. We stuck to just some calm pets and rubs at breakfast and dinner time, which has been our usual. We practiced more with the fly spray…which will come easier when she is halter trained, to keep her from shying away so she can more easily get used to it.
Tonight, she was either feeling neglected from not having as much attention this week, or she picked up on my worried mood…possibly both. She nudged me with her nose and politely put her head into my torso, saying “Scratches please” in horse language. I had just put her food out, which she loves, so for her to seek my attention over that was interesting. We shared a nice, quiet moment of cuddles, scratches and head hugs. It was one of the first moments I actually felt affection from her, and it was wonderful.
Enjoy the pictures from this evening, videos to come later this week or next week. Depending on how life dictates.
