Mufasa wasn't being "bad." Mufasa was scared. He was running like a deer -- bounding with his tail in the air. Mark said Mufasa was so bunched up with fear that he couldn't think and he wasn't breathing.
Mark explained the four phases of fear in horses.
1. The horse goes on high alert; prepares to flee.
2. Fight
3. Flight (run as fast as you can)
4. Relax and shake it off.
Mufasa was stuck between 2 & 3. Until we could teach Mufasa how to reach level 4, the issue would never be resolved. Brett would make some progess, as he has, and would be able to halter him and ride but Mufasa would always have that bunched up ball of fear. He'd never be able to relax into his work.
Mark spent an hour with Mufasa, teaching him to stay and trust instead of fleeing. By the end, Mufasa was allowing Mark to walk around him, even on the scary right side. It took a full hour for Mufasa to reach the point where he relaxed and shook.
It was a huge breakthrough for Mufasa -- and a huge breakthrough for us. Brett worked with Mufasa a bit at the end; getting the same results.
Mark and I followed as Brett walked Mufasa back to his stall. Mark shook his head. "It's so nice to see Mufasa walk relaxed next to Brett. He's a nice horse; it's a shame someone messed him up."
Since I had almost the same thing happen last week, I wanted to ask - did Mark let Mufasa run as fast as he chose, or did Mark try to keep him slow? My problem was my horse was running dangerously fast.
ReplyDeleteThat's really great. One of the things I love about Mark is that he doesn't mess around with technique and surface things if there's something bigger going on - he gets right to the heart of the matter - the heart of the horse and rider - that's where the fundamental changes come from. It should be a new beginning for both of them. Can't wait to see what happens over the next two days.
ReplyDeletesounds like a real break through!
ReplyDeleteLytha, Mufasa was at liberty snd Mark let Mufasa choose to run or stay. The only time he pushed Mufasa away was when Muasa had his butt towards Mark -- which would happen when Mufasa walked past Mark. Then, Mark swung the rope "get out of here" and Mufasa ran to the other end of the paddock. Af first, Mufasa ran fast, deer style. Then he cantered or trotted. The last fiew times, he was like - but, I don't want to leave - went a few steps and turned to face Mark. Mark immediately backed out of Mufasa's bubble to reward him and show there was nothing to fear. Then he worked on shrinking the bubble size.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea Mufasa was this afraid... well done!
ReplyDelete