Dollar's previous owner had mentioned that once, when Dollar was being saddled, the cinch was done up so tightly that he actually laid down. Keeping that in mind, I have been very mindful to tighten his cinch slowly, in very small increments. Despite this, over the past couple of weeks, Dollar's behavior has been getting progressively worse during the cinching process. Initially, I would notice him slightly bulge his belly toward me - no big deal. When I didn't listen to that, he started taking a slight step towards me or walking away - annoying. Finally, the other day he stomped my foot, on asphalt - ouch!
Rather than get mad at him, I reflected on my painful toe until I finally figured out what he had been trying to tell me - he was having a very hard time with the cinch. During the saddling process, I was already planning our wonderful ride and thinking of the day when he would be going to his forever home, instead of staying in the moment and listening to him. Dollar's wonderful disposition is likely the only reason I didn't get hurt worse. I ignored his subtle attempts to communicate with me and as horses often do, they escalate into undesirable behavior that usually causes us pain.
Even though I knew his history; and was being extremely considerate when cinching him, it wasn't enough. Dollar was still worried by the cinch. Experience has taught me that often, horses will develop habitual reactions to stimula created by a bad experience, rather than actual discomfort. I believe that is why my careful cinching process wasn't helping him overcome his resistance to being cinched.
This morning I went out to play with a completely new approach. Instead of riding, or even saddling, I focused on helping Dollar relearn that the cinching process isn't a bad thing.
Firstly, I did a round of TTouch all over his barrel, paying particular attention to his girth area. Next, I took a wide tensor bandage and laid it over his back. Just the action of reaching for the tensor bandage while touching his belly was enough to make him move - his way of telling me he isn't happy about this. Incorporating Natural Horsemanship techniques; every time he moved, I disengaged his hind end until he was looking at me and standing still. Each time I would reach for the tensor and he would move, I would move his feet in a purposeful way. Eventually he decided that was way too much work and he stood relaxed while I reached for the tensor bandage. The next step in the process was to bring the tensor bandage under his belly, just like a cinch. Even though the tensor bandage creates no binding pressure or discomfort, he reacted just as if it were a cinch - a true indication his behavior had become habitual. Working through this process with Dollar made me realize just how much trouble he was having with the cinch and despite that, he was tolerant enough to allow me to saddle him every morning and have a wonderful ride. Hard to say how far his behavior would have escalated if I hadn't paid attention to my aching toe - likely would have laid down with my brand new custom made saddle.
In order to ensure Dollar will become a reliable, happy riding companion for many years, his habitual reaction to the cinching process has to stop. Dollar won't be ridden again until I have erased the bad memory and created a more positive response to being cinched. I will do this by progressively replacing the tensor bandage with a rope, my sheepskin surcingle, and ultimately the saddle and real cinch. Whenever he responds in a relaxed, accepting way, I create positive reinforcement with clicking. With Dollar's friendly, easy-going nature, I expect I'll be riding him again very soon.
Thank you again to Linda Tellington-Jones - her work taught me to listen to what our horses are trying to tell us. Her philosophy and teaching has also given me tools and ideas to help horses overcome resistance in a non-forceful manner. While there is much I love about Natural Horsemanship techniques, Dollar's reaction to the cinch would likely be seen as a sign of disrespect and the approach to "fix" him would look much different than lovely TTouches, a tensor bandage, and a click and a treat.
Admittedly, I got caught up in the excitement of Dollar's future, and didn't pay close enough attention to his present - what can I say, I am only human.
Tovie and Dollar
PS: Links to my interview with Linda Tellington Jones can be found on the (R) Sidebar of UTube favorites.
