I couldn’t believe it! I was playing the friendly game with Romeo, scratching him on the back, over the pasture fence. I moved from his back to his shoulder – ahhh, his face said. Then he moved closer to me and put his head over the fence.

That move, in and of itself, was a big deal. Romeo, my almost 18 year old gelding, was seized by law enforcement 3 years ago,  as he and his pasture mates were almost starved to death. (You can see his before/after pictures here) His life had been full of abuse and neglect; and not surprisingly, he didn’t trust humans. I adopted him 2 years ago; he is my Parelli project horse. 

Classic behavior for Romeo (RBE/I) when someone approached was to put his ears back and move away. Classic human predator behavior is to not back off, but reach forward and try to touch his face – his most delicate area. Romeo would always turn his head away.

Now that I’m learning how to not be a predator through Parelli, I’ve learned that Romeo turning his head away is his way of saying “I don’t feel comfortable letting you touch my face”. So I scratch and rub his neck.  I’ve also learned that Romeo putting his ears back when someone approaches is his way of saying “you’re getting to close”. Now I know to back off a little. Then he’ll put his ears forward, giving me permission to approach.

Back to scratching and rubbing over the pasture fence… so Romeo had moved forward and put his head over the fence. I rubbed his neck. Then as I brought my hand down and rested it on the fence, he put his nose under my hand and pushed it up on his nose! I couldn’t believe it! Is this real? Is he asking me to pet his face?

I pet his nose, then dropped my hand. This time he lowered his head, offering his forehead to my hand. He is! He’s ASKING me to touch his face! So I rubbed lovingly, as the tears of joy and understanding fell freely.

After 12 years of abuse and neglect, this one gesture on Romeo’s part was a breakthrough - that he is finally ready and willing to begin to trust a human again, well, me.  And thanks to Parelli, I’ve been able to give him safety and comfort and go slow and be trust-worthy.

 He ASKED ME to touch his face!!!

Naturally Blessed,

Lauren
Level 1 and Loving it!