Get Grounded Equine

Embracing vs. Containment
If this looks boring to you, I know I’m on the right track.
This is because introductions should be more about reconciling the energy going on internally: the emotions, the processing, the thinking, the physical feelings, the connecting dots, the co-regulation and self regulation…rather than the fabricated performative energy that is externally demanded and visible on the outside.
Embracing seeks to understand the learner, values their perspective, and their guidance in the learning process. Lydia is seeking these things with Heath and I can tell they are feeling and supporting that internal energy. The first 90 days should have emphasis on these internal workings where readiness is formed on the inside before it can manifest on the outside.
Did you know emotional readiness is a fundamental part of learning to walk for a child? Do we force children to walk before they are ready? Containment is rigid, emphasizing compliance in a manufactured time line that subjects the learner to narrow minded expectations, often ignores the time needed for this pre-requisite internal work.
As a trainer for others, it was nice for me to be on the other end as the client. Due to a set back with a knee injury, Lydia was able to introduce Heath’s first 30 days of moving under saddle for me. Superficial observations may lead one to think not much has been accomplished here and think it rather boring, waste of money and time. As I have come to see it, the first 90 days are best spent showing the horse the supportive, patient, trustworthy parts of ourselves that are committed to staying out of their way of making true progress. I look forward to continuing this work that Lydia Scott Equine Services has begun.

This unhandled foal is a great source for learning about innate perceptions. The filly is helping this person better understand the extent of a horse’s sensory awareness. Unlike her mother, the filly has yet to be desensitized to the movement, the sounds, the smells of people. By observing how the filly responds, the experience also provides opportunity for the person to refine self awareness.

This 9 yr. broodmare is starting structured learning. The slow steady progression of experiences minimizes reactivity and therefore helps her remain engaged with me. When starting, I prefer to build the working relationship through experiences where we move together at eye level rather than me being static and directing the movement. Where many teach lunging first, I let that skill progress out of many hours of moving together: leading at the head, following behind, directing from behind while moving with, then directing while being more static. Sound on you can hear her first experiences dragging the lines around/over the barrels.