Back in January 2024 I was on the look out for a new horse. I wasn't sure what I wanted exactly, I only felt that there was a Soul meant to come home with me. I considered something broke, older, mare, gelding, tall, short, different breeds and amidst my search I fell in love with the most adorable little cross bred warmblood colt with a bright blue eye. Odin (then Eddie) was only 9 or so months old when I met him and I brought him home before his first birthday. Getting a young horse that was bred and raised ethically, without any trauma whatsoever is quite a blessing. But with a young horse comes a lot of work with training them in the years to come. I began to worry a little bit. I started researching and attempting to prepare myself for having a horse that I basically needed to be training every step of the way and stay on top of his antics before they got out of control. I wanted to do things right this time around. Once Odin came home, I gave him time to settle in. A couple weeks passed.. and a couple months. I wasn't doing a whole lot with him and I started to wonder if I wasn't doing enough. As I took the time to really feel into this, I realized that I don't need to have all these crazy goals and timelines for him. Considering I'm giving him time to properly develop and not even planning to back him til around 4 or maybe even 5, what's the rush? Right now we're bonding and bonds can take quite a while to become deep and trusting. Though I am working with him little bits here and there, I keep it very short and basic. Stand. Move over. Back up. Pick up your hoof. Come. Wait. Asking the bare minimum to ensure he will learn to respect my boundaries, but not overloading him with too much information which his baby brain cannot handle. I don't set a timer or check the clock when I am with him, I just flow with the moment and keep the experience short and positive. I don't mind if it takes him a long time to learn. Actually, it feels better to not rush and have all these expectations. Instead of scheduling time in with him, I just notice when he wants to come to me, whether it is to be brushed and scratched, or if his mindset seems more ready to learn a bit more. He learns things daily while I do chores, such as waiting for his grain until Simon is served first and backing up so I can open the gate etc. What more than what I am already doing does a yearling really need to know? There are people who rush horses in their training, but that's not where I'm at and not what I am going to do. Horses often end up broken down physically at a young age from being pushed too hard too soon. Their mental stability compromised because their baby brain cannot handle what they are being asked to do and not fully understanding what is wanted from humans, or why. Perhaps these people rush other things as well and therefore reflecting in areas of their lives, such as their horses, though I can only suggest that. During my retreats and yoga flows, I focus a lot on slowing down time and anchoring energy into a more relaxed experience. I want the Women who come into my circles to feel they have loads of time and also that I do not hold any expectations of them. Often times attendees will tell me how much they enjoy the laid back atmosphere and feel at ease knowing they are not rushed, or pushed to do things here. In a world moving so quickly, I am creating a bubble to be in the here and now. And I thank my little wise horse for gifting me with this teaching. Building a strong, trusting and unbreakable bond with him will be so very worthwhile as our training and friendship together progresses through the years. My one goal with him is to back and start him under saddle - but I should say, not under saddle, as I want this experience to be completely tackless and at liberty when he is ready and willing. No saddle, no bridle. Completely free and only when the timing is right. Whether that be when he is 4, 5, or whatever age his is when he is fully developed with our connection strong enough for us both to be ready. He is definitely worth waiting and slowing down for. I know I will learn so much in our life together from my intuitive horse, Odin.
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