There’s a lesson Luke reminded me of this week that I think is worth sharing.
I originally set out to film a groundwork/ground tying lesson. The first session went great. The second session was just OK. Luke was doing everything I asked. Standing where I put him. Following directions. “Being good.” But something felt off.
There was this tight, electric feeling coming off of him. His ears would pin slightly when I moved around him, his body felt tense even though he was technically obedient, and the more I watched him, the more I realized I didn’t actually want to keep drilling the exercise. I wanted to know why he felt that way.
So for the past few days, we’ve abandoned the “lesson plan” and gone back to simply being together. Lots of slowing down. Lots of softening to hand pressure. Relaxing each body part. Breathing. Waiting. Listening. Trying to help him find peace instead of just compliance.
Ironically, the videos are probably too boring to ever post. But this photo is from day three, and the difference in Luke is huge. His eye is softer. His whole body feels quieter. He seems more settled within himself.
I’ve talked before about the importance of stillness, and I think this is part of it. Sometimes the most important thing we can do with our horses is stop worrying about “progress” long enough to get curious about what they’re feeling.
Not every training session needs to produce a fancy result.
Sometimes the lesson is simply learning how to exist peacefully together.