We’d been working on building Trust with Odin for nearly three months. He recognized us and was approaching consistently when he saw us. He was even eating treats out of our hands. It was becoming obvious that all of us, including Odin, were enjoying our time together. He’d explored waving yellow flags and was willing to walk past them to receive treats. He even seemed to enjoy rubbing his nose and moustache into a soft brush too. Just recently, he found his voice gain (this is HUGE!) and began greeting us with a neigh!! Of course, that made our heart sing in delight.
Then, we made a leap of faith and brought the professional trainer, Josh, back to get us to the next step, the Halter! If you’ve ever seen Josh work, he’s a gentle trainer. He follows the horse, knows they need to express their fears and other pent up emotions. He’s kind and patient. 7 hours later, multiple failed attempts, and Josh left sweaty, exhausted, and frustrated. Odin too, was worse for the wear and No, he still isn’t wearing a halter. I’ve experienced a lot of guilt since that day and expressed that and my sincere apologies to Odin for what he went through that day. Both Susan and I recognize, traditional methods of horse training just aren’t working yet for Odin.
While he literally walked right up to me and accepted treats through the fence the minute Josh left, Odin’s nervous system was fried. He was jumpy and tense. I became worried about how long it would take to get him back on track. Did we break the Trust we had been building?
Odin naturally is a super sensitive horse, we know this because he lets us know clearly through his behavior when we are not peaceful and supportive. His nervous system has been unable to tolerate a human’s busy mind and tense emotions. If he could speak, I believe he would say to us at times ‘if you want my company, you’re going to need to get focused and peaceful, or I’ll just stand in my corner alone, thanks, I just can not tolerate you, it’s too much for me.’ Since the recent visit with Josh, even when we are peaceful, Odin has still had trouble bringing his nervous system back into balance.
I did some Reiki healing work on his vagus nerve and that seemed to help significantly, his startle reflex and fight/flight mechanism began to come back into balance.
…Then the STORM hit.
The wind, rain, thunder, and lighting was challenging enough for him alone in his pen; no where to run, no herd to gain the support of…then a piece of plywood flew through the air landing in his pen…it was a lot. Yes, we’re all grateful he wasn’t physically harmed! But mentally and emotionally, there are new scars…another shot to his nervous system all within a week’s time!
Susan and I are honoring the dance; two steps forward, once step back, we’re back to simply meditating with him again, calming the nervous system, letting the emotions and mental activity express itself with no pressure to train at tasks. The main task is to find peace. I’m sure he will recover, but he needs the space, patience, and human support to resolve and release these things that tear at his delicate nervous system.
When you walk by his pen, from a distance please send your love and support. He needs to know he’s awesome and loved, he needs the good vibes and encouragement. Please, again, no pity, that is such a downer when you’re working so hard on yourself; he has been working so hard to overcome.
Odin 