Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory
Inside the Human Factor course, we talked a lot about Polyvagal theory in human terms, but it also applies to the horses.
Remember, today before you go out to hang out with your horse again, we’d like you to first do something inside of the practices portion of the Human Factor course – whether you pick Orienting or Breathwork or even meditating – do this before you present yourself to your horse. Then, when you are with your horse, do another – with them. Breathe with them, maybe do the eco-meditation (this is on the Human Factor playlist of the video library) with them. See if getting yourself into a different state first influences your horse in any way.
This is where you are invited to just bring your curiosity in, no judgment or expectation, just curiosity if showing up in a different way has any affect on your horse.
A reminder of how to use this course: click on Mark Complete below and tomorrow you will move on to Day 8.
This has been so useful to me on shoeing day. I have always “worried “ that my horse won’t behave for the shoer…leading to who knows what type of fights. I started meditating before the shoer arrives, and then while I am holding the horse for him, I monitor my breathing (and sometimes find myself NOT breathing). I then do one of the breathing exercises making the exhales audible. Amazing how relaxed my horses have become on shoeing day!
Great work!
Ive typically needed to use a lot of energy to get a response from my young very pushy warmblood. I’ve been working on building a better connection with him. He seems less pushy and I’ve needed to use less energy. I wonder if we’ve been yelling at each other all this time and now we are learning how to talk.
Probably the big thing with a pushy horse is your energy is never at sero when around them, so your voice gets lost. Better to start on the other side of a fence so you cabn be at zero.
I’ve tried just hanging out with my horse… But he is very mouthy and tries to bite. I tried that technique where you put your hands where his muzzle goes, but he is really fast and I think my hands are going to get bit eventually , I also tried the other technique where you push his face to the side, and he just comes back faster like trying to nip and I’ve also tried sitting outside the stall and he puts his head over and licks and chews and yawns like crazy, after he try’s to reach me and can’t. but when I go in to put his halter on, he does the biting or if I have to pick his stall out he does the biting and tries to grab the halter and what not so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Shannon.
I’d start outside his stall like you have done, far enough away that he can’t quite reach you. This will give him the idea that he wants to try to get you but cant quite. After a while (which is the bit you’ve already done), step closer so he can just reach you stretched out, and engage with his muzzle. Dont reach for him, let him reach for you, and make sure you hold your hand really flat and vertical. Doing this part outside his door prevents him from taking a swipe at parts of you that you arent fast enough to get your hand to, such as your lower legs.Do that until he slwos down his chompiness, and pushiness. I’ve had people do thios from behind a fence at clinics, and it might take over an hour the first time, but the horses are usually forever changed. Let me know how it goes.
Hi Warwick thank you for the suggestion.
Stood outside my horses stall this evening and tried the techniques you suggested. He would reach for me and really lip and try and bite my hand. But then right away turn and try and bite his stall or hinge. Then start making these really weird motions with his muzzle and jaw (releasing tension/stress I’m sure). Then would come back. This went on for about 30 min. Then one time he reached out and let me pet his nose for like 10 seconds. Then he started yawning. Yawned about 6/7 times. Sniffed the ground and walked away from me. Looked out his window and had a poop. Didn’t come back. Not sure how to take this ha ha ha.
At what point would you consider this exercise a win, or perfect?
What would the next step be?
Haltering without biting? (Mind you he needs to be haltered to go to the arena)
Should I work on this before taking him to the arena and letting him loose and start the flag work?
Thank you so much for helping me on my journey!
Hi Shannon
Not sure if you tried step 1, but step 2 sounds like it worked perfectly.
I’d repeat that again, and if it works the same, then open the door to go in. If he comes over and wants to bite, just exit and stand far enough away he can just reach you, and do it again. Repeat those 2 steps until you can go in there without getting crowded and bit.