Gaining confidence, from the outside-in

One of the things that we discuss in our program is working with the horse from the "inside-out". This is metaphorical, meaning that we are checking in with the horse and her body to help her shift and release the tension. And, theoretically, that is how one gains self-confidence, too, right? Just know what you know, and keep learning and builiding your skill set. Then, when you get good at something new, you'll know it and exude the confidence, so that other people will know it.

The past few weeks, as we have been working with different horses (e.g., polo, dude/trail, rescue, dude/cattle-working) I am gaining some confidence with my knowledge of the process of equine massage -- and also noting that I was still seeking external validation. And, while I was able to check out my techniques, and results with others (e.g., Casey, Sarah and Michael) I am still striving to "know what I know". So, as a training aid, I have started the practice of taking Before and After pictures of the horses that I have been working on. Since I want them to be close-up enough to catch the detail, I take a picture of the withers (shoulder) area and the loin-croup-rump area. Here is an example of the impact I had on the withers of a horse last week:













You'll have to take my word for it that it was the same horse, same day, same shoulder, etc. (You can see the small light-coloured spot that might help understand the context between the two pics.) I am trying to be consistent in my distance away from the body part I am capturing, so that it is a reasonably similar scale/perspective. Anyway, I was really pleased to see some differences. Since then, I have captured Before/After from 3 other horses, and the lighting and body does not always make changes that are perceived through pictures, but even so, I know I am making a difference.

Last Thursday, we went to a Dude Ranch where guests are able to be part of a working cattle ranch. It was a ways from the mountains, and while some people felt that we were "in the middle of nowhere", I felt right at home. Here is a picture of a mare and her new colt, which also gives a perspective on the landscape. Too cute!
That was the same day that I worked on a "resucue horse", I called her PB, since she had black skin and white hair, like a Polar Bear. Evidentily, she had been purchased from someone (!?) who hadn't been feeding her, or taking care of her. She looked like a walking skeleton when I picked her (she picked me?) from the herd. When we got done working together, she looked like a walking skeleton with a bit of a lilt to her walk. That was rewarding, too.