Savannah and I have been playing on her terms for the past two weeks. About the time I think this plan isn’t ‘working’, she’ll give me a little opening. First I can stand in her stall without her cowering in the corner; then I can stand a few feet away from her. A few days later I can stand next to her. A few days later, I can lightly touch her shoulder. The next day I can put the halter on her and lead her.  And then for a few days, I can’t get near her again. Then two days ago, I pet her on both sides and touch her face.

Today starts as every day does with her right now. I walk in the stall and she walks away. Today though, I think I see her consider waiting for me. I let her go out into her paddock and then follow, closing the gate behind me. She walks around and I walk around with her. She stops, I stop. I approach. She stands, more relaxed than a week ago, but still ready to leave at any discomfort. She lets me pet her. I stand and just stroke her neck and talk to her. I really want to put the halter on her, but I’m not kidding myself this time. She’s not ready. So, I just keep stroking her neck and talking like we are old friends and I have nothing to do all day but this. Then something changes.

She looks at me, really looks at me for the first time. Then she puts her chin on my shoulder and sniffs my hair and then my breath. We stand like this for minutes. We are in a new space together where there is no time. We are breathing together and now there really is nothing else to do but this. I don’t know how long we stand like this. She moves her chin gently from my shoulder and waits. I slip the halter on her easily and we just stand for a while more, truly enjoying each other’s company. I take the halter off and she stands as I walk quietly away from her, out of her paddock.

This may seem like a small thing, perhaps like nothing really important took place. So much so, that even I was tempted to move ahead immediately to the next horse that needed to be worked. But something stops me and I stand at Savannah’s gate for several minutes letting this experience move through me.

This happening isn’t just another step to be checked off the training to-do list. This is a huge gift and waves of gratitude move deep into my center. This is what I have been working and yearning for, not just with Savannah but with every horse I have worked with in the past three years since stumbling into natural horsemanship.  I have just been invited into a partnership with a horse and it feels better than when I won a world championship.

Whether Savannah goes on to be a reiner, a cow horse, a rope horse or a driving horse, this experience will affect every part of our relationship and her training for the rest of her life. She knows now that I have her best interests at heart and this trust will run through our experiences together like a vein of gold. Instead of doubting everything I request of her, she will be with me and confident in trying and learning. Instead of being scared or resentful in my presence, she will know she is being heard and respected and will be curious what our time together will bring. Isn’t that worth waiting for? I know it is.

Have you had a similar experience with a horse? How did this change your relationship with the horse and your thinking about training?