When I purchased Remo, my friend said, 'He is a lot. Are you sure you want a horse so full on?'
Of course I did; I like to challenge my mind and grow. I also know what it feels like to be misunderstood, to not fit the mould.
It's easy to work with a horse when things go according to the textbook. Horses like that progress quickly; they are great to work with and perfect for advertising and growing a business. I usually don't keep horses like this; call me crazy, but when a horse becomes easy, I feel like my students should take the reins and enjoy them.
Working with Remo has been anything but textbook. Last week, walking from the stable to the arena, he was as untamed as 1000 free-range chickens. Biting, rearing, prancing.
The internal conversation in my head at that time... Why is he acting so loudly? I knew the answer: horses belong in fields with other horses; they need mental stimulation from their environment and socialisation.
He once knew this freedom and socialisation, born onto a 1000 ha property with a variety of plants, terrain, and friends. He spent the first 2 years of his life like this.
When I purchased him, he had just spent a year living at a stable in southern Spain; his reality had changed from what he grew up with.
The misplaced behaviour last week- an expression of feelings from a stallion experiencing a lot of frustration and hormones. I also believe that when you allow your horse to express themselves after being shut down in the past, they will flood you with their opinions at first.
It's up to me to choose where to draw the line so it's a partnership and not all demands from one side.
Remo has challenged me to walk a path I am less familiar with, to be a little more "loose" with my focus on functional movement and to view our partnership from a different angle. To find ways to stimulate him mentally so he can better regulate his emotions, and then his posture improves... rather than improving his posture to improve his mind.
In an ideal world, I envision a paddock for him with 2-3 mares who are a constant in his life. But for now, the dream can't be his reality... One day it will be.
For now, he is challenging me to grow and evolve my training and thinking. To think outside the box and build a partnership where we can both find a happy medium.
This week we took a different approach again: forest walks, some short lunging sessions and now- his new favourite thing... the ball.
While at times challenging, Remo has been both the most growth-igniting and rewarding horse to work with since my journey with Rocco many years ago.
