I began researching methods on ways to bond with your horse. I wanted Dakota to know that I was her mama, not just another "lesson rider" or some other voice and face she sees each and every day at the barn. I landed into the hands of the Perelli method. The method begins with standing in the stall of your horse for 30 minutes. During this 30 minutes, you aren't supposed to look at them or acknowledge them. You are supposed to act like nothing is different. When they finally approach you (whether via nudging or even standing by you and acknowledging your presence) then, and ONLY then, can you give them some acknowledgement. It's supposed to be like, oh hey, I didn't know you were here! I figured, this should be NO problem. Dakota is social and angelic.
Here I stood, in this stall for 30 minutes, and she ate her hay and drank water the entire time. She didn't approach me. In fact, she stopped drinking water for a second wondering why I was even in there. Was I there to steal her water? Her food? WHY was I in there? I anticipated her to be nudging me non-stop. Instead, I was ignored.
The next step- Wal-Mart. Hey, if I was going to get this horse to love me...what was going to do that more than Shredded Wheat and some carrots? Little did I know that this was going to make me a pez dispenser. Her love for me was nothing separate than her love for everyone else- treats. I didn't realize that she received them all day long- between lessons and just horse lovers out at the barn.
Attempt #1: Fail.
Attempt #2 with food: Semi-success, but not long term.
Little did I know that the future saddle time I would put in would be the first step towards love.
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