Quieting the mind, slowing each inhale and exhale, watching his muzzle wiggle, his eyes blink, his head lower. He takes a big breath and starts to lick and chew.
Transitioning away from the hustle and bustle of "we are so behind!" to "let's just focus on us" is easier said than done.
There is a lot of inner narrative, ego, and even old trauma patterns that will try and challenge you when swimming against the current.
Society and our primal lizard brain prioritize acceptance above all else; if we are not seen as "one of us," we feel outcast and isolated, which our instincts perceive as a life-threatening situation. To survive, being part of a group is absolutely necessary. So, it shouldn't be a surprise when simply going against the social norm can cause bouts of stress, anxiety, and fear.
Sitting on the rail, I raise my arm to ask him to step over. I take another deep breath to prevent my brewing excitement from shifting the energy between us. He steps towards me, lining his back up with my leg on the fence. Sliding onto his back, he swings his head over as if to ask, "What now?"
Watching his anxiety slowly melt away was as good as winning a gold medal- this is what horsemanship is all about!
Like any skill, the more we focused on building a trusting relationship, the quieter my lizard brain got. I started to see how much moving through the discomfort of my nagging inner voice was necessary for success instead of just waiting for things to feel right.
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