Re: [RC] What does "bonding" with a horse mean to you? - Cora
Know exactly what you mean...I have been very lucky to have had it
twice....am now on the hunt for a 3rd...it's out there just gotta find
it...Cora
Jonni wrote:
To me, there is a very special bond
and relationship that many of us are only lucky to get once or twice in
our years with horses. Until you have had this kind of relationship
with a horse, it is truly difficult to describe in words for another to
understand. I have had one horse that I had this kind of relationship
with. From that relationship, I have come to realize a few things.
First, I do not think you can force it to happen. Clinics can not
teach it. It just happens. When working with the horse, you work as
if you are one unit. It is as if you think about what you want from the
horse, and before you ask, they are responding. I also do not think
that the horse has to like you. But, they respect and trust you, and
what you ask of them. You trust each other without question or doubt.
The communication is often silent, and without detectable cues from
someone who may be watching. This is they highest level of a bond one
can have with a horse. Those who have had this kind of relationship
with their horses will understand.
I think that their are other levels
of bonding, that we can achieve with most of our horses. They trust us,
do as we ask for the most part, and seem to enjoy our arrival to see
them. It is a level of bonding that we CAN force to happen with work.
But that true, deep communication as one is not there, and may never
be.
I am thankful I have had that one
very special horse in my life. I'd love to have another like him, but
if not, I know I was blessed to have had him in my life. What happens
though, is I find I compare my relationships and communication levels
with the current horses, to that which I had with him. Of course, it
just reminds me how special that bond was. We lost him in 2002. He
broke his back in a pasture accident. He was unable to move his hind
legs, and as I held his head in my lap, I saw the anger and fear in his
eyes at not being able to get up. I sat there and talked to him. Mostly
with my heart and mind. He stopped trying to raise his head in attempts
to get up, and somewhat relaxed. The vet gave him that final injection.
There is no right or wrong answer as
to what bonding is to each individual and their horse. We all have
different views, and different levels of to which we feel we are
"bonded". I'm bonded with all 5 of ours in different ways, and
different levels. But none like that one special horse.
Jonni
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