Day Nineteen

So close, so close! I can't really write about what I'm thinking while I'm working with him. Its so instinctive. I can anticipate his reaction to my every movement, even something so slight as a weight shift. Nothing gets past him. More than ever, I feel like I understand his language. Leaning away from me means he's getting nervous. Ears cocked towards me, neck flat means he's engaged. Ears cocked towards me, neck arched means I've pushed through his comfort zone, but he still trusts me enough not to run. When ears cocked and neck arched is accompanied with head tossing and blowing, he's getting ready to run. And so forth. But all of these things I have to sense, because I'm trying to tell him with my body language that I'm non-threatening, and that includes facing slightly away from him.

All of the A+ grades in the world couldn't tell me more accurately how I'm doing than he does, and I got my hand extended today and got within two feet of him. He'll let me know. I've never been so entwined with a horse before in my life...when I'm out there, I feel like I'm in his place and I understand him. It may look like all I'm doing is moving very slowly, but everything I do is speaking to him. Incredible.

I feel like a real horse trainer now, even though I honestly still have no idea what I'm doing.