Having done liberty with my horse for 3 years now I find that I mostly use it as a way of tuning in. It's a liminal moment where she gets to say no, she gets to be as rowdy or passive as she wants to be. I get to shape that into the connection I want.
I started doing liberty with Kitty from the moment I met her. By liberty I mean relating to her while she is free to respond as she feels. I asked questions and made statements and she did too, We got a conversation going pretty fast and the bond grew from there.
This expanded to work in the arena. She would run around wildly while I patiently waited for the right moment to offer togetherness and serenity. She was so sensitive at the beginning that just a slight drop in my energy - a sigh, or a small tilt of my head as I looked at the ground - would call her in, if it was well timed.
She taught me to be more aware of my physical expression. She taught me to stand straight so I could be in a neutral active position. I needed to have the option to relax or stiffen - to pull or to push.
She taught me to be intentional in the position I chose. Behind the drive line or, by 1 inch, ahead of the drive line.
Her reactions to my mistakes were instantaneous and intense.
Now she is way more forgiving. Her intensity has softened. She knows this conversation and wants to connect as much as I do. I like to believe I've become sharper in my body allowing for clearer signals.
We still have our moments where, loose in the arena, she has better things to do than play my games. Her friends are calling her, there is grass...It's then up to me to be compelling, interesting, determined.
We have our arguments then. I try to be the one that wins but I have to know when to compromise.
I can't be too hard or she will tune out. She is not the kind of horse that submits to bullying, She will find a way to leave rather than accept harsh treatment.
But if I'm persistent and prove that I can self regulate and understand, she eventually comes around. It's a dance of softness and strength balancing on her emotions.
She gets to test me. I get to shape her energy.
It forces me to delve into what makes me human. The ability to think about what I need to say, to plan ahead, to take stock of where she's at, to manage my emotions, to be aware of my energy and where I'm coming from emotionally. I need patience and restraint in my pushing and determination and softness in my pulling. I have to look into myself and mitigate the impulsion to be annoyed, angry or resentful, to recognize those emotions and let them go. I have to imagine what her reality is in that moment.
It's a meditation of sorts, an exercise in patience and introspection.
Because of liberty, we are so connected that we can trust each other completely. She takes care of me even when she spooks, or is evading a perceived danger. She moves around me even in moments of panic. She lets me know when she is overwhelmed or just bothered. She tries hard to fulfill my crazy requests. She has patience for me.
Most of all she is happy to go on adventures with me - down the steep banks of the creek, through heavy traffic, in completely new surroundings. She is always curious and confident. She eagerly hops in the trailer every time.
After our more difficult sessions, she is particularly in tune. She watches me more carefully. She is more generous of her energy and her attention. As am I - having been reminded of how willful and intense she can be and of how lucky I am to have these moments of being completely present and so fully echoed.
With other horses, Liberty is usually more of a healing process.
They get to run away with no real consequence. There is less pressure without the halter. There is more opportunity to express those negative feelings that usually get them in trouble. Pinned ears and high kicks - as long as they are at a distance - don't get much reaction from me. My asks are reasonable. I am grateful for what they give me. My requests are clear and simple.
The softness I get from them is the reason I do this.
It always warms my heart to see them then choose to cooperate. To willingly come to me and stay with me and play my games for the sole reward of a moment of serenity, togetherness and kind words.
I wish all horses had the opportunity to tune in with their person in this way.
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