From flights to safety, trust & connection

Sometimes you come across a horse that stays with you, even years later. Gypsy is such a horse. A beautiful gelding that I met in France in 2013. He had been standing in a pasture there for a year and a half, together with three sheep. They were his only company. Not because no one wanted to touch Gipsy, but because no one could. Every approach sent Gipsy into a panic again.

His fear was deep, but his longing for connection was even deeper.

Gipsy had a very traumatic experience with a vet and since then he didn't want anyone near him. His nervous system was stuck in survival mode: fight or flight, that was all he knew. Even his owner Martine couldn't touch him for 1.5 years.

MARTINE'S SADNESS

Martine was deeply saddened by what had happened. She had tried everything to help Gypsy, to regain trust. But nothing worked. She loved him dearly, but he could not stand her closeness. And that broke her heart. So she kept looking for a way to reach him. Through a mutual friend I got in touch with Martine and she asked me if I could help Gipsy.

THE MOMENT OF MEETING

In the video you can see that Gipsy is also terrified of me. He looks, turns away and keeps a close eye on me. He wants to get away, because touching him is out of the question. And yet... those moments in the training are so valuable. Not because something spectacular happens, but precisely because something very subtle takes place.

MY NERVOUS SYSTEM AS AN INVITATION

I have consciously set my energy low. No intention, no goal and no pressure. Just being, understanding and radiating love. I have consciously brought my own nervous system to the parasympathetic system – the state of calm, connection and safety. And that is exactly the key. Because when I am there, Gipsy can perceive my energy as safe and co-regulation occurs: his nervous system then slowly starts to mirror mine.

THE SMALL STEP THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING

What happened next was small but it was big. You see him soften, his muscles loosen a bit and his breathing changes. And then, for the first time in a year and a half, he carefully allows me to come closer. At first no touch, but then there is already a connection. That 'touch' did not come from my hand, but from my heart and after all that time of distance... this was a first step towards trust. MAGIC MOMENTS

During the training the magic happened and Gipsy let herself be touched again. For the first time since that traumatic experience. At first only by me and later also by Martine. Gipsy let her in again and trusted her again. And Martine – who had waited, struggled and persevered all that time – was so happy. Tears of pure relief and joy flowed. Her horse was back and so was their bond.

WORKING FROM LOVE, GENTLENESS AND SAFETY

This is where the power of the polyvagal theory and the method of 2Moons come together. We do not only train technically. But we train on safety, connection and from attunement to the nervous system - of the horse and of ourselves. Because only when we are in balance ourselves, can we truly offer safety to another.

THE SOFT POWER OF BEING PRESENT

Editing Gipsy's video has shown me again what really working with horses means. Not harder, not more forceful - but softer, more aware and with an open heart. Because no matter how damaged a horse is, the way back always starts with safety. And we can provide that.

Love, Petra