Have you ever taken the time to sit and watch the grass grow or watch paint dry? That’s how Susan J. described yesterday what some of our training days are like with Odin. She is correct, the Trust Technique can really look, well… boring, like we’re doing nothing but watch grass grow. That’s because the Trust Technique is all about inner work.
Inner work is mental and emotional, it’s the stuff of life that you cannot see. It’s irrational and personal. Kylie Attwell defines “inner work as the mastery over your thoughts, feelings, beliefs and actions for the purpose of creating a more harmonious and joyous life.” Her website goes on to explain that “This work involves making internal changes so you are no longer triggered by others or particular situations, nor plagued by negative thoughts and past hurts. It also requires taking actions that are in alignment with who you are at your very core, regardless of the circumstance.” While she is actually referencing the work of humans, our goals for Odin are exactly the same, to release pent up emotions, reduce his mental activity, work through his triggers and stressors, and find peace within himself and the situations he finds himself in. It is my understanding that horses, like humans, have souls, soul contracts, and life purposes, the potential for joy, fulfillment, and the ability to develop strong bonds, as well as enjoy inner freedom and peace of mind.
The Trust Technique is designed to assist horses (as well as all other animals, including humans) in the process of inner work and therefore personal and spiritual development in an effort to bring about the highest good and best possible outcome for all who utilize it. But, because it is non-physical and internal, a Trust that it actually works must be present from the outset, as well as a level of patience to sit and be with what is, even if it is uncomfortable.
For a horse, the signs that it is working, include stillness/settling, yawning, twitches, itchiness, large exhales, sleepiness, and an unwinding of repetitive behaviors. Over time these releases open the horse up to finding inner peace and locating aspects of themselves that have been denied, suppressed, or hidden away out of fear.
Metaphorically watching the grass grow with Odin has meant giving him the space to access and express his frustrations, anger, fears, etc. while we express understanding and compassion toward him and remind him that peace is possible. We are the wayshowers of peace via a directed outpouring and expression of unconditional love. The grass metaphorically grows as we then watch him take his movements to release all that has been troubling him, followed by new movements and new behaviors. This alone is a process that can be used with any horse. With Odin, since he is most likely wild/feral with many negative associations, we are slowly incorporating Trust Training with basic skills training.
So, if you happen to stroll by Odin’s pen and see one of us sitting in a chair ‘just hanging out,’ know we are hard at work, focused and intentional. It may look like we’re just watching the grass grow, but we are deeply engrossed in a silent conversation between hearts. Please honor and respect that space.
Odin 