Intuitive Explorations with bodywork

Z and I are continuing to grope about for some sort of mutual understanding. I’ve reduced her actual work sessions to 30 minutes which are a 100 percent, concentrated focus by her and me on simple, but intense, tasks. We’ll be back to riding next week as I’ve got a saddle in mind to buy… you may notice that we ended our sessions with Rugby Guy – they were become self-defeating.

In an effort to take a step back and see what I can do with Z by relying heavily upon intution I’ve been playing more with the Masterson Method. Right now I am not doing it strictly as a massage therapy but intergrating it into the program as a mutual communication tool to further develop our relationship.

One thing that has kept me from doing Linda Tellington-Jones  TTeam work on a regular basis is because it is overwhelming. MM could become the same way because doing a full body massage would take me at least an hour. While I’ll try to set aside one day a week for a complete bodywork session, I’ve been doing shorter bursts, focusing on the neck, head, shoulders and forelegs for the last two weeks.  These are the areas where Z shows the most resistance to being touched, handled or having you in her space.

When I begin with an Air Gap to Egg Yolk touch (Masterson’s description of amount of pressure, see other posts), Z immediately gives a blink on the Bladder Meridian anywhere from 4-8 inches down from her poll. I’ll stay in this spot with pressure that does not allow bracing (more pressure = horse pushes back) and after about 60 to 120 seconds into this, Z wants to move.

Originally, I prevented the moving. The moving is a way for her to deflect feeling anything about what I’m doing -  a displacement mannerism. By displacing, the horse is able to disperse the negative tension into another behavior — for example, the horse who has a sore back, grinds it’s teeth rather then throw it’s rider.

If you’ve ever had your own massage you may know that feeling when an area of your body is worked that you are hesitant to have touched because of pain or sensitivity. You would also know that if you can let it be worked, that area releases in a huge way. Usually this squirming (according to MM and what I’ve seen and personally experienced) precurses a release.

As I experimented, I decided that I would allow the moving, but I would not remove my hand. Even this light pressure, especially on her right side, would start to cause a rushing walk (“get away from me! make it STOPPPPPPP!”). Eventually, I worked out that I would let her take about 3-5 walk steps before bringing her gently back to stop, all without removing my touch.

My reasoning was movement was needed in order to process some of what was happening. Far more than humans, horses must have movement. I’ve written before about how movement can increase learning and processing. Peggy Cummings in her Connected Groundwork talks about letting the horse walk (usually a figure 8 pattern) after a release in order to aid processing. LTJ uses concentrated movement through grid patterns to aid focus and learning in the horse.

Invariably, after walking and then stopping, the release happens. I’m now getting the releases faster and larger as Z comes to know what to expect. Perhaps it is an increase in trust or that she has less tension to release since we have been consistent on the body work this month?

After a release, I do spool out the leadrope so she can choose the distance she wants from me. This allows her body privacy if she would rather – something that is often very important to reserved horses.

I’ve already seen changes in her scapula area and a lessening of resistance when I enter areas of her neck which previously she should respond with very aggressive reactions (i.e. pinned ears, reaching around to bite) when touched or asked to bend. The flexion rotation on the right side has improved significantly. The forelegs are still a work in progress.

Yesterday, I added a small bit of Connected Groundwork. She was much more flexible and willing to participate.

I’ve been doing mouthwork to encourage her to open for the bit. I got it in on a couple of different occasions but each time she gave a minor panic after it went in by raising her head and starting to back. I went with her and just held it until she was ready to drop it out. Yesterday, though we had a good bitting session as she took it in and instead of being startled, mouthed the bit, dropping her head to feel it all out. She got a big carrot reward for that!

Meanwhile, I’ve been taking my Yoga ball out to the barn and while Z grazes. I roll about trying to open my sternum and gain  flexbility in the right shoulder and arm. About 14 years ago, I broke three ribs off my sternum so it is easy for me to fall into a habit of collasping my chest.

The injury to my right bicep (most likely I tore the muscle) is recovered but I have spent the year protecting it and it is also reluctant to fully extend, especially over the head or backwards. Strangely, enough it is my left side, which has been protecting the right all this time that is the most resistant to being stretched! Boy, does it hurt! OUCH!

mimicking communication

After reading Gallop to Freedom (Pignon) it got me thinking about using more mimicking play in my work with the horses. Pignon writes about how he will experiment with imitating the horses to see how they respond. While I’ve done a bit with my horses, I’ve never had a lot of success.

Which got me to thinking about Eric Cussons and how he behaves when interacting with the chimps he rescues and installs in the Jane Goodall Chimp Eden sanctary.

Some things before I discuss Eric’s work. First, I am not a fan of chimps. They actually are my least favorite animal. While I’m not a fan I do not support anyone abusing these animals or “making” them foster children. They deserve to live like nature intended and are not “tame” in any sense of the word.

If you watch this show enough, you know that secondly chimps are extremely dangerous. An adult chimp has the strength of 5-7 men; your arm could be ripped off, and indeed, the head manager of the facility is missing fingers due to an incident.

Yes, indeed, these are no “pets” and a horrible chimp attack in the U.S. (don’t read the article unless  you have a strong stomach) should prove that these animals need to be under the management of trained personnel in an enclosure suited to their emotional and physical needs.

However, let’s get back full circle to how this applies to horses, training and me…

After thinking about the shows I’ve watched of Eric interacting with the chimps, I realized that perhaps I was not exaggerating my vocalizations, expressions and body language enough. Indeed, in Klaus Hempflings’ Dancing with Horses, you can see by the photos and video that Hempfling has strong and emphatic body language.

Let me be clear that I do not mean actions that would alarm the horse into flight or fight behavior. That is where the gauge of treating each horse uniquely comes into it: Z may need more “loud” requests; Dee and T-man need substantially less.

I’ve been experimenting with Z and Dee these last two weeks. If you are sharp you can catch it in the videos I’ve done recently.

When a horse exhales, I blow out – loudly and audibly.

When a horse snorts, I snort and blow out a deep breath.

When a horse flutters their lips with an exhale or snort, I ****brrrrrr*** my mouth with an exhale.

If their head lowers, I lower my head.

While I do have the horses copy me when walking or trotting, I’ve noticed that I need to make my transition into a stop much more dramatic for a horse response.

It’s been interesting and the results have been fascinating. Z knows that something is definitely up. She has almost a *shocked*WTF?*alert*are you crazy?* look on her face when I do it. She locks onto me immediately and will often repeat what I’ve done.

You can observe this same behavior in horse groups. One horse drops and rolls. Then another, then a third. It goes through the herd like a ripple. If you are really paying attention the same thing happens for fly swatting, snorting, or even drinking water – one horse starts, another copies.

One of the points of encouraging snorting and blowing, is this is a sign the horse is relaxing. A horse that blows or snorts, will automatically lower their head (perhaps it’s to just blow out the sinuses?) and his body structure relaxes.

This returns to the idea of teaching head down. If a horse has the head lowered, he would be relaxed. Ergo, a tense horse should lower the head to change the mental state which changes the physical state.

As we are blowing and snorting, mimicking each other, the horse becomes more relaxed, imitating me as if I’m a member of their herd family who is communicating to them that everything is cool and groovy.

However, it does make for a funny time at the barn…

outside the box

Note: The information about Linda Tellington Jones methods (TTouch and TTeam) is my opinion and interpretation of materials – numerous books, DVD’s, online YouTube videos, public blog etc… 

This post is in no way implies an endorsement by Linda Tellington-Jones of myself, my blog, or videos. I have taken a week-long TTeam training but at this time I am not certified by Linda Tellington-Jones.

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Okay, I had an Eureka! moment the other day when I was thinking upon some TTeam experiences I had and some of the TTeam exercises that are part of the method developed over decades by Linda Tellington-Jones…

In some of the TTeam work you have the option to use a Balance Rein (sometimes called a Cordeo), the Liberty Neckring, and/or the Lindell (an adapted sidepull). All of these, in one application or together, removes the hard pulling of the riders’ hands on the reins. It gives the horse a freedom of movement in the head and neck, and aids the horse who is behind the bit, above the bit, or has (not related to health issues) head and neck issues.

I’ve already gone into detail about why riders pull – and why this prevents the horse from going forward properly but let me clarify further: riders pull or tighten due to fear, tension, frustration or other negative, strong emotions or panicked, unconscious reactions – linked to the fear of falling and lack of control.

It can also be a sign too of a poor seat that relies upon the hands for balance (ask a rider to post without reins and you will quickly see if they have been pulling themselves up with their reins – common mistake).

From my experience of teaching riding lessons, these types of riders are firmly entrenched in their physiological need to hold onto the reins. They will also deny quite strongly that they are doing it – and why videotaping is only the first step in these riders learning exactly what they are honestly doing.

When using the TTeam equipment, from the outsiders point of view that has never heard of brideless riding (although now it is so common I am not sure you would get this reaction), this may look ridiculous! You might think – is this a Circus Act? And that is the point! That was my revelation!

Trotting around with only a Liberty Ring can surely put any conventional rider thinking outisde the box. They are no longer in their comfort zone. They are given two states of mind that are opposing:

I cannot do this – I am doing this.

My horses needs a bit – I am riding without a bit.

My horse needs me to pull so I can steer – My horse is moving and changing directions with only my intention.

Now, the horse generally doesn’t need these two states to know it’s possible. Horses live in today (unless they have been traumatized – whole ‘nother story). It’s the RIDER WHO NEEDS TO BREAK FREE of their CONVENTIONS. And this is done by turning their world upside down.

If this truly becomes a change in the fundamental way the rider thinks, in my experience as a rider and instructor, the rider will then start crying or laughing. This change of state  triggers a gut emotional reaction that cannot be stopped or suppressed but only realized.

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This post is related to Horse Evasions to Going Forward; to improve remove the personal;  Being Ridiculous and Two States Cannot Exist

Being Ridiculous

Looking for some other information I came across this today…

“Ethnomethodologists have often noted the blank, glassy stares and strange states produced by violating peoples’ expectations – by, for example, getting into an elevator and facing the other people in it. It’s in such “paradoxical states” that people often may assimilate new information quickly, without filtering. They also may be able to “abreact” psychological trauma.”

Is not living about existing in a paradoxical state? People can be complex beings with beliefs that seem diametrically opposed… we can laugh at a funeral; cry at a Christening; Scream from happiness; and Love people we hate.

It interests me because of the duality of creation and destruction. From confusion and uncertainity, can come new ideas, concepts and constructs. How many times have you been at the lowest point, and then, suddenly know the path, completely unseen before, to take? There is a reason we state: “the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Our familiar constructs are too rigid and the conformity prevents the assimilation of self-awareness. Those who have learned the Code, never reach the highest pinnacle of that same Code because interpretation and creative expression brings us to that peak and those are subjugated by technical lessons.

What we think we know, we know only because we have defined the acceptable. As someone who can grow too rigid and complacent in her thinking, I need shock value sometimes. We must regain the simplicity of the fool and child; experiment (safely) to learn our own discoveries.

From looking at something in a ridiculous, unexpected way, enlightenment occurs.

The Student’s Attitude

If you were teaching, what child would you want?

The child who, when you show up, gives a big sigh, slowly pulls out his schoolbooks, and then finds a million excuses (i.e. going to the bathroom, sharpening the pencil, needing to find clean paper) not to do the lessons…

OR do you want the student who gives a big smile when you enter the room, raises his hand with the abandonded eagerness of a Laborador puppy and who proudly displays the work he has completed on his fridge at home?

What is your horse? Most horses are the first. If a horse could roll his eyes, he might be doing that when he sees his owner approaching with the halter! Oh brother, another day going around in circles….

Now do you see where I’m going with the Curiousity thing? Love of knowledge, seeking answers with an open mind and open heart, and exploring our relationships can start with curiousity.

When we are curious, our mind is open to possibilities. We are in a play mode – life becomes easier and our emotions don’t feel strained. When things don’t go as plan we don’t throw down our lungewhip in a rage but ask ourselves “why?” and go back to experimenting.

What kills Curiousity? Force. Must. Should. Do it Now. My Way or the Highway. Your input is not needed or desired. Sit Down and Shut Up. I am the Master and you are the Slave. Stupid Horse. I have an agenda. The way you’re acting today doesn’t fit with my timeline. I need to get this done now because I only have an hour to ride.

What fosters Curiousity? I am listening. Why are you doing that this way? Did you really hear me and if not, why? Let’s be Together. I like You. Can we be friends? Friends can just hang without doing. I respect you. You respect me. Friends help each other and know what is important to the other. I will never ask for more then you can give me this very moment. I understand your nature.

Here are some common signs I see with owners and their horses. They start out small but can build or simply stand in the way of a better relationship between you and your horse.

Hard to catch in pasture.

When you walk up to your horse to halter him he a.) moves away or b.) makes you walk the entire way to collect him.

When you ask him to follow you on the lead, he doesn’t. He seems to grow roots in the ground.

Won’t follow you through a gate – or bolts through the gate, leaving you behind.

Higher strung horses pick up on your rushed feeling, and starts to fidget while being tied.

Tosses head while being haltered or bridled (no physical reason such as dental for this).

Pins ears during tacking up or grooming (no physical reason for this).

His whole body seems to be dragging when being lead to the arena, grooming area etc… There is no “spring” to his step. If he was a human you would be wondering if he had Mono.

Won’t stand still for mounting.

Pins his ears when being mounted (no physical reason for this).

Shies with only one person – not only has he picked up on the lack of confidence this person has, but he doesn’t put his faith in that person’s leadership. Or he may have found this is a fun way to liven up a dull lesson.

Jigs. For the horse that is well trained, this agitation comes out because the horse is agitated about how the riding is starting to play out. If he is a young horse, this may just be due to excitement and lack of training, however, like shying, it might the sign of something deeper going on.

Dull to the aids. Although if he is a lesson horse, ridden by many people this is a sign of self-survival and not lack of training testing behavior. If you are beginner yourself, then having a horse dull the aids is not necessarily a bad thing

Dull to turn. I like my horse easy and light to handle but not overly light. For each person you have your own comfort zone. A horse that is very dead to correctly given turn request has started to zone out.

These are just a few problems that seem to creep up on us as horse owners. The question is has your horse become tuned out and bored with you? Is he getting a bit fed up because you never want to play HIS games? Are you the friend who always wants to talk about your boyfriend but never asks about mine?

Because soon he will be like the kid finding excuses and turning in his homework days late.