I did my first ‘protected contact’ session today. This was on a 3-year-old Arabian with tons of issues stemming from a horrific geld process followed by 3 colics in rapid succession leading to hospitalization, a head-over-heels tumble, etc... In previous sessions, his fidgets became such that we muzzled him for safety. Today we allowed him liberty within his stall while I hung outside. I expected no more than his butt facing me from the furthest corner. This was not the case at all!
Maverick was fully engaged at his stall gate, allowing and receiving not only my intentions but also my touch. His human reflected on the calmness he presented as she stood by watching this unconventional bodywork interaction between her young horse and me. I went into this session not anticipating physical touch; however, Maverick seemed to invite this. Although my reach was limited from the outside, he could relax and soften with the light contact granting him the comfort needed to release tensions.
We are looking forward to Maverick's next session of protected contact bodywork. He will be at liberty in his stall, while I am present outside the gate should he want me. I attribute the wonder of this session to encouragement from my Masterson Method® colleague Jim Rushing and the willingness of Maverick’s human to experiment away from convention. Thank you.
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