Apache and Pablo – Chapter 1

I would like to introduce you to Apache and Pablo… this is their story, which they have very kindly allowed me to share. Apache is not a Spanish Mustang, his breed is unknown, a horse with a troubled past that has started to catch up with him.

When I first saw Pablo and Apache they were quietly “sitting” in the paddock together at a distance of 20 feet or so from each other. At first glance it looked like they were sharing space and it was a lovely moment, not wanting to disturb them I moved on attending to Charlie and Chinook.

 

Each day I would arrive and see the same scene as the day before; I soon realised that actually they were only sharing space physically, no communication was present between them.

I struck up a conversation with Pablo and asked him why he spent hours in a paddock with a horse that was ignoring him. Apache had “switched off” and Pablo’s gentle nature was not reaching him. His story was fascinating, sad and heartwarming.

Pablo began riding at a local school with his wife Gema, just 2 years ago. As they do, horses got under their skin so they decided to buy one each so that they could spend part of their free time hitting the trails. After a trip to Extramadura they came home with Apache which was to be Pablo’s horse and Macareno for Gema. All was going well for the first couple of weeks, until one day Pablo dismounted with a little more vigour than usual, being so happy after a trail ride. As he landed on the ground Apache spooked and broke free, escaping into the countryside.

Pablo was hurt and Apache needed catching. A few people gathered to herd and corral him into a safe place so a lead rope could be attached. This was not that easy considering he was in open ground and scared. After a while it was decided to leave him and hope he would make his way back to the yard and the other horses. This he did after a while and he was able to be put in his paddock with Maca, and that is where he stayed while Pablo recovered.

As Gema and Maca began enjoying their time together, Apaches fear deepened and his unwillingness to be approached got worse. What ever triggered this bad memory began to embed and this is how I found Pablo and Apache 20 feet apart and stuck.

I began talking to Pablo and asked quite directly what he was trying to do, as for me it looked very confusing and if I was not able to understand, Apache would be finding it even harder to fathom. The answer was very simple. “ I want to be able to catch him”. I asked him to show me what the problem was. He began to approach Apache very slowly, with each step he took Apache became more aware and true to form at about 20 feet he moved away. It did not matter which direction Pablo took Apache moved to keep him outside his 20 foot “flight bubble”.

I ask how long this has been going on, sitting and waiting and trying to catch him, and I was taken aback when he said nearly a year! What was fascinating to me, was even though there had been no physical contact, the bond between them was strong even at this distance.

As soon as Pablo moved Apache was alert, concerned, but more questioning. Watching him and mirroring his movements, following him around the paddock, seeking connection but always at a distance. Getting closer was only possible with food but even here his sensitivity always won, to the point that the snapping of a carrot would cause him to retreat! It appeared all noise or sudden movement, even that associated with something good, sent him running.

Pablo’s concern had brought him to the conclusion that Apache was not for him and thought it best he took him back. He asked me if I felt the issue could be resolved. Taking into account Apaches obvious bond with Pablo and that neither were in any danger I said “yes, of course” this was met by a “well, you horse people love a challenge”. This is true but in this case why not try, there was nothing to lose and in the worst case Apache would leave in a better place and Pablo would gain experience for the next time.

I asked Pablo to engage Apache. It was clear that although Apache wanted to connect he did not know how to and found his fear was more overwhelming than the conversation. In other words, he felt it better to ignore what ever was being asked of him, as the thought of the alternative was too scary and best avoided. Past memories had surfaced in Apache and this was a very big obstacle that to overcome would mean one of them had to make a change and that would have to be Pablo.

I asked if I could work with him for few minutes. I wanted to draw him in but as his flight/survival instinct was turned up to the max, I did not want to chase him round. (I have always found this very odd; when asking a horse to connect why would you chase them away?). I did, however, want him to get involved with the conversation and I needed to let Apache know that actually ignoring me was not the best option.

I began walking around near him, as expected he moved away, as we continued I kept my energy low and indifferent. I was able to get a little closer to him each time we circumnavigated the paddock, and when he looked at me I withdrew. If at any moment he turned away I would walk toward him with a little more purpose, which had the affect of increasing the pressure and taking note of me; I was asking him to stay in the conversation. As soon as he joined me I would be still so he could start to understand that being with me was a better place than not to be. I continued our walk with a steady pace, and eventually we were walking together. My goal was to reduce his “flight bubble” and after just 15 minutes I was within 5 feet.

I did not ask anything of him apart from his presence with me.

I left Pablo with this thought. If you are talking with a friend you would not expect to be ignored! Even if that conversation was difficult you would want interaction, to be questioned!

After a few days working on this energy you could see the gap reducing between them. There was still no physical contact but it now seemed a possibility. Pablo had been so concerned not to scare Apache, all previous motion and energy had been reduced to near zero. This was probably coming across more predatory than friend, especially with his heightened awareness and added to the confusion Apache felt.

Imagine the Lion approaching the Zebra… They don’t announce their presence but close in with silence and stealth. That is not to say I recommended Pablo rush Apache, loudly without respect, not at all, particularity as the first experience after the big spook was a group of humans “rushing” to (as he saw it) trap him. Soft yet decisive movements would be easier for Apache to understand. I was witnessing a huge change in both of them and the beginnings of a whole new relationship.

Seeing Apache comfortable and enjoying this new work, about a week later, I asked again if I could try something else, the main goal here was to get close enough to touch and eventually catch Apache. Time was not on our side as Pablo had to make a decision on whether he was keeping Apache or not. This was a very difficult time for Pablo, his love and care for Apache was never in doubt he just wanted to make the right decision for them both, his internal debate was long and hard, a decision I would never presume to influence.

I slung the lead rope across my body so that Apache became aware of it but it had no consequence to him, I would move it on occasion and as he got used to this new sound and movement make them bigger and louder, always rewarding every try with praise and a rest, offering a treat, knowing that was the only thing that came close to bursting the “bubble”. This was the first introduction to +R target training. If he did touch my hand he was praised and got the treat. Seeing results, I decided to introduce an object, a bit of vine wood. This extended my arm enabling him to be less stretched to touch the target and added the effort to take the treat form the other hand, thinking ahead this could then be switched to a lead rope. I handed over to Pablo and left them to it; his progress with this was quick and the trust Apache had was building. Soon they moved on to using the lead rope as the target.

It only took a couple of days before Pablo got his reward; that was the ability to caress his horse with out him pulling away. This moment was defining for both of them but made Pablo’s decision even harder. From here there was nothing but progress, with guidance Pablo was able to work through the insecurities and approach each new goal with the soft and decisive energy I had shown him enabling him to touch further over Apaches neck and chest.

Soon after Pablo came to me and said he was very concerned about the day he had to clip the lead rope to Apaches collar, afraid he would pull away. As this was how Pablo was injured in that first “flight” I could understand and gave him some tips for this possibility, body position, moving the feet etc. with the bottom line being always keep safe; you will never hold a 800kg horse at full spook so let go; he will be in the paddock so will not be in any danger.

I asked if he was intending to do it today? And when he said no, I told him not to worry about it then. Carrying anxiety is never a good thing, especially if it is concerning something in the future. Lets face it , when you get there you may not need it!. Horses live in the moment and we must do the same to be able to connect.

Pablo has something that many that work with horses wish they had and that is intuition. He worked at a rate that was good for both of them knowing when to ask Apache for a little more and when to rest. That is a quality that some spend years developing and it is this skill that allowed him to instinctively know when the moment would be right to finally clip that rope on.

Without any “loaded” expectations and worries it happened naturally and without much fuss. There was no pull, no spook, just healthy awareness and natural concern. It was that moment that sealed Apaches fate. One of the best text messages of my life… “Apache is staying”.

Pablo continued to work with Apache gently leading him around the paddock, clipping and unclipping.

Graduating to taking the head collar off and on again, touching his flanks and neck, preparing him for the day he could take him home. Apache is a horse struggling with an awoken memory, one that must have been pretty horrendous to cause such a huge reaction and complete shut down, what luck he found Pablo, a man that will give him the future he deserves.

For a year he has been locked in with fear and now with the seeds sewn for a better way of being, he runs with his friend Maca enjoying a Paddock Paradise and knows nothing but love..

This is just the beginning right? So what next?…Well, I am very happy to have been invited on their journey, I will be working with Pablo and Apache guiding and helping them continue their story. I am excited to also be working with Gema and Macareno. A different yet no less interesting case, so be sure to follow our adventures together.

When people ask me to work with their horses my response is always the same – I will work with you, and you work with your horse.

By solely focusing on the horse the horse may connect well with me but what happens when I am not there?

By working in tandem with the people and giving them the skills to work with their horses, I am creating a scenario where the bond between them deepens, and where the horse can feel comfortable with the one human that will truly matter when I am long gone..