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Stories and Teachings From Humans and Herd

When the Horse is Done

1/12/2019

7 Comments

 
Picture
For the past few weeks I’ve been struggling with making a very hard decision. One of my four legged loves started getting mean and aggressive towards clients. None of this behavior was seen when he was just doing a riding lesson. His voice was strong and clear. “I don’t want to”. My answer to him, “you don’t have to”. He's currently on vacation, meaning, no therapy sessions. 

I watch our herd carefully and do my best to hear them. It’s important to me that they have a voice and are voluntary participants in our program. As a human being, I can quit a job whenever I choose to, so my horses should have the same choice, right?

If you’ve been in the horse world for some time, you have definitely seen some unhappy and/or checked out horses. They exist in lesson programs, on ranches, on the show circuits as well as in Therapeutic Riding and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

I started The Institute for Equine Assisted Practices with one major goal; To create opportunities for human and horse to connect. We have a busy psychotherapy program and host horsemanship trainings on and off site. I love this work, and believe in the power of the horse/human connection. It is my responsibility to make sure my herd is happy, which is where this blog started. One of my horses isn’t. He’s a trauma specialist, truly, he is. For the past 4 years he’s consistently chosen to work with the most challenging trauma cases and always been a rock for these clients. He’s offered them safety in a world where every pair of eyes was a possible threat. He’s stood, solidly, underneath them, and carried them when they questioned their own ability to move. He’s showed them how to breathe, and how to stay, when all they want to do is run. When no one else seemed to understand, he said “I see”.

I love this horse with all my heart. He came to me angry and broken, and together we found a way to heal. He gave me wings when I thought I was too old to fly, and he showed me what is possible when we truly trust.

It’s my turn now. My turn to give him what he wants.

He’s lucky, this one. He’s got some young riders that adore him and he could happily continue showing for many years. His work with me and my clients may be over though. 2019 could be the year he retires from therapy. It's not what I want, but maybe it's what he wants. If the two week vacation doesn't do it, we'll go from there.

I’m not sure this is an ethical decision, although it falls under that as well. For me this is about relationships, and hearing a “no”. It’s about putting health and well-being before money, and honestly, it’s about doing what is right.

I can’t tell anyone else what to do, but I can share Wizard’s story and hope it inspires others to listen more. Whether you work as a therapist, show jump, or simply trail ride, let your horse be a partner with choices, let them have a say. They give us so much, give them the option of deciding when they are done.

7 Comments
Gabrielle LaClaire
1/12/2019 09:22:59 pm

Well done.

Reply
Brian Ewing link
1/13/2019 03:02:38 am

I love horses

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Karen Henderson
1/13/2019 10:50:18 am

it could well be that a break is all that is required, I am sure he will let you know if he wants to work with hoomans (grin) again, for us therapists burn out is very real if you are dealing with trauma all day everyday, maybe our equine friends absorb more than we realise...maybe he would benefit from some reiki, my friends horse had this and she is a different horse! you have done the right thing, well done

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Carolyn link
1/13/2019 10:59:50 am

He may have taken on too much of other's emotions. Check out "The Emotion Code" by Dr. Bradley Nelson. I have used it on many horses. I have seen behavioral changes as well as physical changes in horses. My motto: can't hurt, might help. You can purchase the book on Amazon.com

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Eva link
1/26/2019 09:33:19 pm

I commend you for noticing the “no” and accepting it. I think horses should always be able to choose.

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Esther Johnston link
4/30/2019 10:30:04 am

Hello Dear Osa, I realize I might be very late in making a comment on this but here it goes..well I have seen this before. Kudos for you for realizing that wizard is starting to disconnect.I believe that horses are very spiritual animals, and they tend to take on, as we know the emotions and the crud that we carry around with us😞
I believe strongly that they need to be energetically protected, before each session and Cleared as well after, otherwise it is just going to keep accumulating to the point of the horses just shutting down and becoming catatonic. You yourself know, as you taught us in your classes, about our energy levels, and we have to be able to dissipate those. If our horses become so burdened and loaded down with negative energy, something has to give. Food for thought my dear… Can’t wait to see you this weekend 💕

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Ho Rse Arlem link
1/19/2021 06:27:45 pm

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    Asa Woodman is the founder of the Institute for Equine Assisted Practices and a passionate student of life. 

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  • Home
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