It Matters to Them
The cool thing about horses is that it doesn't matter how you think it feels or what you think it means- they will tell you how it feels to them. It’s your priority as the rider or the handler to pay attention to how it feels to them. This is how horses continually teach us to be more aware and to step into the shoes of others.
Here is an example:
You have a colt that you’re going to throw the saddle on for the first time. You have done all of the prep work including a surcingle, kids saddle, etc. When you go to throw the saddle on the first time- there is one thing that is different. The weight and the adjusting before placing it on the horses back.
The horse scoots right as you go to toss the saddle on. Why? How did this happen? The prep work was done but the feeling this time around was different. Waiting too long to move the saddle and building energy in one place before moving it towards the horse was a huge red flag to the horse!
Mindset Adjustment:
Initially there might be some frustration but it is incredibly important to adjust your mindset. You were probably thinking that all of the prep went perfect so the saddle is next and it should be easy.
However, when the presentation changed (standing in place and holding this heavy saddle and preparing to move it) the feel was different and the horses alarms sounded. It doesn’t matter that you thought it should feel fine. Because the horse told you that it did not feel fine and that the meaning was confusing.
Reapproach:
After you adjust your mindset, it’s time to reapproach. Maybe take a step back and perform the same maneuver but with a different piece of equipment. Show the horse how your body moves when handling something heavy that will be put onto them. Then revisit the same presentation and help your horse through it.
This is just one version of many interactions a rider or a handler may have with a horse. It’s the handlers responsibility to observe, remember, compare, and then try again. The horse is a very sensory animal so every behavior they choose is based on how something feels. Whether that is the presence of people or another horse, objects touching them, or something preparing to touch them. How they feel matters and it especially should matter to you.