When unexpected things happen in life, one is not always sure of what the outcome will be, it could be a disaster … or it could be a spark of magic. Today’s story is about a spark of magic. This horse, by the name of “Break Out”, is such an interesting case because every time I arrive at the stable (normally when it is still dark) ... I will have to spend 10 to 15 minutes in front of the stable for him to smell me. If I don't, one could picture the scenario of me being the Grim Reaper trying to get into his stable and him trying to get out….. and so, over time, this ritual has become the norm.
I was initially called out to see if I could work on his poll area (head) as it was a real challenge to get his halter or bridle on. It would take loads of patience with him holding his head up high in the air, like a giraffe. This is however now a thing of the past and he now loves his ears being kissed and cuddled and bridle issues are a distant memory!
What is different and fascinating about him, is that once I get to the end of my session he is really relaxed... more so than your average horse. When I do spinal mobilization he will start falling asleep. When I say “asleep” … I really mean “asleep” with him falling to his knees at times or his legs buckling. The first time this happened I was very surprised because only once or twice in my years of work has this ever occurred. What is astonishing, is that he did this twice in one session. I have the privilege to work on "Break Out" on a very regular basis and each time our introduction takes time … even after he responds so well during each session. The last time I saw him, a week ago nothing was different with the introduction, however, mid-session there was a little bit of magic….. (I am very well aware the outcome could have been very different and that it could have ended in a disaster, yet I am blessed it worked out the way it did) for his sake and mine, as well as (we call them owners) his family, the Wrankmore’s.
As I did a poll release with him (resting his head on my shoulder) he gave me all of his soul … he surrendered like I have never experienced release and trust from a horse. In the next second it was chaos, shock and disbelief … a horse going into self-preservation, all in the bat of an eye. He trusted me so much, that he fell asleep whilst his head was on my shoulder. Not only did his knees give in… he dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes. As his hind end dropped he obviously got a fright, just as Suzette and I did. The next moment “Break Out” was kicking the walls like a horse in panic ... trying to get up. The first thing that went through my head in a state of panic was that I had broken his neck. There he was … kicking against the wall (luckily thick padded walls) and Suzette gasping for breath, with me not sure what was going on and then … he got up on all fours and just stood there. At that moment, I knew that for now, everything was okay .... However, I knew I still had to do the right side of his neck and poll and I was very reluctant... maybe this is too much for him? But I knew I had to continue and give him the best possible session I could. Reluctantly and carefully, I eventually got to the poll release, flexing to his right - this being his restricted side and it was just so easy and nothing but bliss! This is when I knew he had relaxed … into another dimension we could not grasp. He totally trusted me, breathing and relaxing as if his right side was never an issue.
For all the above reasons, I did not want to post anything until I was sure he was okay. The outcome could have been so different, it could have been a disaster - yet this was the most awe-inspiring moment of trust I have ever experienced, from any horse … (needless to say I can say this in hindsight …. Lol).
I so wish that every horse owner/horse worker could experience such absolute trust from a horse. It would make life such a beautiful place for all of us. I am so grateful for the experience and for being able to share it with you all and I hope that somewhere in the future, some of you will have this experience with a horse... even if it is not your own horse.
On Sunday I got the following message from Bianca: “ Good morning JJ I'd just like to let you know I took Break Out on a ride this morning and he was phenomenal he has never in the almost 2 and a half years been like that on an outride he walked down hills for the first time ever and DIDN'T DRAG HIS HIND LEGS which is amazing you are amazing your work is amazing and the work and transformation you have done on my horse is beyond amazing I am beyond grateful. Thank you as so many people told me to get rid of my horse but I refused to give up and with your help you have transformed him thank you. 😁😁😁😁😁"
I could not be more grateful to the Universe and the Wrankmore’s for this profound moment. This was clearly the Universe giving me a perfect moment, everything happened at the right time, at the right moment ... a moment of magic.....
I was initially called out to see if I could work on his poll area (head) as it was a real challenge to get his halter or bridle on. It would take loads of patience with him holding his head up high in the air, like a giraffe. This is however now a thing of the past and he now loves his ears being kissed and cuddled and bridle issues are a distant memory!
What is different and fascinating about him, is that once I get to the end of my session he is really relaxed... more so than your average horse. When I do spinal mobilization he will start falling asleep. When I say “asleep” … I really mean “asleep” with him falling to his knees at times or his legs buckling. The first time this happened I was very surprised because only once or twice in my years of work has this ever occurred. What is astonishing, is that he did this twice in one session. I have the privilege to work on "Break Out" on a very regular basis and each time our introduction takes time … even after he responds so well during each session. The last time I saw him, a week ago nothing was different with the introduction, however, mid-session there was a little bit of magic….. (I am very well aware the outcome could have been very different and that it could have ended in a disaster, yet I am blessed it worked out the way it did) for his sake and mine, as well as (we call them owners) his family, the Wrankmore’s.
As I did a poll release with him (resting his head on my shoulder) he gave me all of his soul … he surrendered like I have never experienced release and trust from a horse. In the next second it was chaos, shock and disbelief … a horse going into self-preservation, all in the bat of an eye. He trusted me so much, that he fell asleep whilst his head was on my shoulder. Not only did his knees give in… he dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes. As his hind end dropped he obviously got a fright, just as Suzette and I did. The next moment “Break Out” was kicking the walls like a horse in panic ... trying to get up. The first thing that went through my head in a state of panic was that I had broken his neck. There he was … kicking against the wall (luckily thick padded walls) and Suzette gasping for breath, with me not sure what was going on and then … he got up on all fours and just stood there. At that moment, I knew that for now, everything was okay .... However, I knew I still had to do the right side of his neck and poll and I was very reluctant... maybe this is too much for him? But I knew I had to continue and give him the best possible session I could. Reluctantly and carefully, I eventually got to the poll release, flexing to his right - this being his restricted side and it was just so easy and nothing but bliss! This is when I knew he had relaxed … into another dimension we could not grasp. He totally trusted me, breathing and relaxing as if his right side was never an issue.
For all the above reasons, I did not want to post anything until I was sure he was okay. The outcome could have been so different, it could have been a disaster - yet this was the most awe-inspiring moment of trust I have ever experienced, from any horse … (needless to say I can say this in hindsight …. Lol).
I so wish that every horse owner/horse worker could experience such absolute trust from a horse. It would make life such a beautiful place for all of us. I am so grateful for the experience and for being able to share it with you all and I hope that somewhere in the future, some of you will have this experience with a horse... even if it is not your own horse.
On Sunday I got the following message from Bianca: “ Good morning JJ I'd just like to let you know I took Break Out on a ride this morning and he was phenomenal he has never in the almost 2 and a half years been like that on an outride he walked down hills for the first time ever and DIDN'T DRAG HIS HIND LEGS which is amazing you are amazing your work is amazing and the work and transformation you have done on my horse is beyond amazing I am beyond grateful. Thank you as so many people told me to get rid of my horse but I refused to give up and with your help you have transformed him thank you. 😁😁😁😁😁"
I could not be more grateful to the Universe and the Wrankmore’s for this profound moment. This was clearly the Universe giving me a perfect moment, everything happened at the right time, at the right moment ... a moment of magic.....