When Rosie came to me, & we began to unwrap what she had trained herself in over her first 4 1/2 years of life - there were 2 distinct associated ‘rules’ based in ‘stressors’…
This came along with the rest of confusion she had about the things she needed to know relating to the human world in relation to stimulus response.
No clear understanding of Go, Stop, & turn. There was an amazing amount of 'tricks' in her knowledge bank however.
Profoundly however, the Rosie ‘rules’ underpinned the rest;
Rule 1. Lack. Deficits of touch & forage. She was a constant seeker of comfort seated in internal terror. Lack of needs meant insecurity, which it does in horses - which for her would result in her desperation to windsuck/crib bite to self sooth frenetically. On anything, or thin air (windsucking) even if ineffectively... You could see her ‘running in fear’ on still legs.
This lack was associated with 2 things, a potential lack of forage, and good nourishing comforting physical touch. Physical contact was a fearful thing for Rosie. Particularly from humans, but also from other horses. Incredible considering how soft & gentle she was touching others, and she would seek touch still despite her always recoiling slowly away to sooth the inevitable stress response.
Food & touch are integral to equine cognitive & physical wellbeing.
Rule 2. Touch & Physical contact. Again, this was a second Rosie ‘rule.’ It set & underpinned too many other behaviours to not be considered as part of another rule, and a rule on it's own. Touch & physical contact was classified as a threat. Rosie would freeze, exhibit the startle response, then begin to windsuck or crib bit, then disassociate with her environment by zoning out. The epitome of learned helplessness.
Additionally, humans approaching her in the paddock would result in her standing still, & windsucking, or in time walking away to crib bite. Eventually, one person (me) was okay & she would be still. But if a second person approached, she would slowly try to leave, begin to windsuck, & close her eyes tightly.
Any environment situation that related to lack of food & touch associated with training or expectations on her beyond her autonomy had an associated stress response. Any gear (boots, saddle, bridle) she had put on her or brought out near her were starting ‘cues’ to this stress.
So creating an environment & perception of ‘no lack’ of forage, & touch being positive has been everything to build on with Rosie.
We are now transitioning to touch being both positive, and the opportunity for positive touch, not lacking.
This time around, when she comes back into work, it’s all about being still, being okay, experiencing good touch, & there being always some form of forage at hand to have.
I watch the signs & when she needs something supportive to 'recharge' - she can have it. Ideally, it's just a rest & touch becomes to associated positive reinforcer throughout training. Forage will be offered every 20 minutes at a minimum. But now, she’s only micro training. 5 mins is all we do. 5 mins of being okay & having all that we need
I will take all the time Rosie needs, in the way she needs it and nothing less. For me, to have her comfortable & happy is the ultimate goal, & to just achieve this show of reflexural appreciation from grooming her, in the arena, is an utter privilege.
Rosies rules will remain, I just hope she in time may expand what they cover to allow me in more.
Namaste Rosie, Namaste. ~The good in me recognises the good in you.
You are enough the way you are already.
