Putting Relationship First: Lessons from Equine Assisted Therapy

Watch more interviews of Equine Professionals here: www.crktrainingblog.com/catego...

[@leealexander3507]

My friend works with a teenage girl with cognitive disabilities. Horse therapy has made a world of difference in her ability to function more normally in society. She now has a part time job, is very responsible and far more able to take control of her emotions. She has come such a long way in only a year.

[@charslo1484]

I just wanted to say thank you for your videos. You've really made me become aware of a good horse relationship. I was riding at a barn that neglected deep flat work and relied on the whip to try and get the results they wanted. I brought a few of the things I learned from your channel to the mare I was riding and would get comments like "wow, you two work so great together" and "she's really moving forward for you". This was because of your tips. I wish I could find a trainer like you to really learn more. I appreciate your videos so much, thank you.

[@leealexander3507]

Horses are the best for both physical and emotional trauma. My physical therapy animal is my arabian stallion with a widespread reputation spanning two states as a difficult to impossible horse to handle. He will be if your cues are too strong or if you demand rather than making a request. You must also gain his trust

[@ondreaculp1215]

Really loved this interview. It is EXACTLY the relationship I have tried SO hard to build w/my own mare. I feel we're on the right track. Asking is so much more satisfying than demanding. Very good video. Thanks.

[@solbjrgkristiansen3699]

Beautiful women and lovely conversation. So right. Feels much better to ask than to tell, my lusitano with ptsd has made me do that. And I just realized that know listening to them. Connetion is everything. Love that they can do such work.

[@algypsy17]

Very interesting indeed ! I would like to always "ask" not "tell", but so many times you just can't leave it on a horse's "no", you expect a "yes" and in order to work your horse correctly you need a "yes", even if you and your horse do not agree about an exercice, demand, task ... So do I have to feel guilty ? I really see my mare more as a partner and friend and want to make her feel good, but she has a very strong caracter, knows very well what she wants and does not want. When I suggest playing with a big ball she is delighted and it is "yesssss" (or jumping, or gallop in a field, ...), but if it's flat work in the arena that's another thing ... so if I only "ask" it will always be "no" ... Also true for the notion of energy in connection. When I am with my mare I feel a flow of energy between us that is very strong and powerful. When I am with my friends' horses that I ride once or twice a week there is a flow of energy but it is weeker. When I am with a horse that I hardly know (pasture buddies that I don't ride or spend time with) they feel like strangers somehow, I observe their body language and facial expressions to know how they feel and what they are thinking, but there is no instinctive and immediate understanding through that flow of energy ...

[@stacieburgess8940]

It's about filling in holes in your relationships foundation. It's incredible what you can do with your horse when you are fully partners. That being said, sometimes I do things when I don't have permission. I'm getting more and more to where I can ask and the answer is yes... I just try my best to ask as often as possible. Sometimes I don't choose to take the time to do some things with permission (like I recently gave a shot and held him with a halter- doing it "to" him.) I will tell you tho, many of these NL instructors can give vaccinations in the field "with permission." They have no restraints and the horses allow it. It really is about how much time and effort you are willing to put out to get the deepest connection vs. prioritizing your agenda. I can get my horse to come round in a circle around me at liberty, change gaits, change in length of body and tempo all just from being connected. It ALL can be done with permission. Feeling bad when we choose to prioritize our agendas doesn't feel productive to me. I just add as much work as I can with full permission. We all can only do our best!

[@Adriana-rh6sg]

I love learning from your videos, as I’m learning to ride. Thanks for sharing.

[@bio_arka3228]

Language! That was the first thing I really loved in Your videos! "I'll ask him to trot"

[@gailfreese3849]

Loved this discussion.

[@Ms8Mega]

Thank you for sharing with us.

[@christinaw.8502]

Thank you so much for sharing! Could you provide additional resources (literature, videos, courses etc.) also pertaining to equine-assisted psychotherapy?

[@usewisdom2]

This is great for those who have already this experience but for those who have no idea, it sounds like these pe6are very evasive, just using meaningless words