Alexis is a 12-year-old thoroughbred mare who seemed to be lacking confidence and was not doing well with discipline. Her caretaker described her as not able to handle discipline well. She also said that because Alexis lacked confidence, she would “freak out and rear” every single time she was being ridden through the field when other horses were out. Alexis had a previous owner who did not understand her and always told her owner she was a “bad” horse and a “dumb” horse. She’s also had pain in her hindquarters and has been stiff/not moved as well because of her previous owner.
Our first session, we tapped on Alexis not liking making mistakes and feeling badly when she is corrected or not liking when she is corrected. We also tapped on the pain she’s had in the past, and how it’s shown up in different ways in her body and behavior. After this session, I strongly felt the main issue was lack of confidence (which then lead to needing to act bigger around other horses, feeling like she’s bad when she was disciplined, and not liking making mistakes). After the first session together, Alexis seemed to be handling discipline and correction much better, but was still lacking in overall confidence and seemed insecure in some ways still.
The second session we tapped on Alexis questioning her abilities, lacking confidence in herself, not feeling like she’s safe, not liking being left alone (or behind – specifically on trail rides), and hearing people say she’s dumb or not smart in front of her.
Since our two sessions together, Alexis’s caretaker reported that she is much more confident, doesn’t seem as bothered when left alone, and is relaxed and has not reared once since we worked together.