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SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009
My Inner Predator
Are you ever out with your horse, having so much fun, enjoying a bit of success playing around with something new and – BAM! (as Emril would say) – all of a sudden you flip back to your old pre-NH ways. Your horse was understanding what you were asking and so suddenly you want more. You expect more. Your predatory nature comes out – you become task-focused instead of principle-focused.
And everything falls apart.
It happened to me the other day. I was out playing with our big warmblood, Lex, and I was starting to ask him to lie down for the first time. He was incredible, bowing way down right away. Within minutes, he lay down voluntarily.
Success really can be far more destructive than failure. Instead of rewarding him by leaving it at that, I decided to try again to prove to myself that it hadn't just been a fluke. Instead of taking it slow like I had the first time, my expectations for him rose; I wasn't accepting each little try. By the time I realized that I had switched into predator mode, poor Lex was confused and becoming anxious.
I'm glad that I was able to recognize what was going on and slow it all down again so that I could help Lex feel successful. Again, I was grateful that horses are so forgiving - and big, beautiful Lex takes that equine trait to the extreme. Although I would have preferred that it didn’t happen, it was a good reminder to be constantly aware of what’s going on inside myself - to notice and rein myself in when I start to feel that my Inner Predator is on the loose, even if that means walking away from my horse for a bit.
I've shared my Inner Predator story - and I'd love to hear yours!
POSTED BY CELENA AT 1:03 PM POST A COMMENT
CATEGORIES: EMOTIONAL FITNESS, INNER PREDATOR
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