When I met Jalila, I was extracting myself from equine responsibilities. I was down to owning one, older horse and was not really interested in taking on any more ownership or training responsibilities.
But I thought about that little horse all night. Speaking with my Connected Riding colleagues fired up my sense of compassion and duty to defend horses, so the next morning I called the woman who had Jalila and asked if she would consider putting the horse with me instead of sending her away. I explained that I thought Jalila would be traumatized and terrified in a conventional training situation and was in no way ready to go out into the world.
Much to my relief, the woman said, “Yes.” And beyond that, she thanked me repeatedly for thinking of the horse and offering to help. It turns out she hadn’t really felt good about sending the mare off but didn’t know what else to do. They were going to pay that trainer a good price for a month’s worth of training. I offered to take the mare for less because I was interested in how much I might be able to facilitate changes in her body. Deal!
I sensed something special about this horse and, at the time, I needed her as much as she needed me. Much to my delight, Jalila arrived at my house the following day! And it wasn’t long before I committed to keeping her with me.
But I thought about that little horse all night. Speaking with my Connected Riding colleagues fired up my sense of compassion and duty to defend horses, so the next morning I called the woman who had Jalila and asked if she would consider putting the horse with me instead of sending her away. I explained that I thought Jalila would be traumatized and terrified in a conventional training situation and was in no way ready to go out into the world.
Much to my relief, the woman said, “Yes.” And beyond that, she thanked me repeatedly for thinking of the horse and offering to help. It turns out she hadn’t really felt good about sending the mare off but didn’t know what else to do. They were going to pay that trainer a good price for a month’s worth of training. I offered to take the mare for less because I was interested in how much I might be able to facilitate changes in her body. Deal!
I sensed something special about this horse and, at the time, I needed her as much as she needed me. Much to my delight, Jalila arrived at my house the following day! And it wasn’t long before I committed to keeping her with me.
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