How big is your horses bubble

One of my favourite exercises to do with students is get up really close to them, right in their space and ask them if they're comfortable. honestly we're going to have to video it someday but try it on with some people in your life it's a good laugh.

But what is the purpose of this exercise? 

It's a reminder about bubbles and space. 

Everyone has a different bubble and the bubble is different for different people. And when we sit on a horse's back we are really in their bubble!! It is good practice to be invited into their bubble and on to their back. 

Not wanting us in their space is a big reason for tension and behavioural issues.  You can't obtain relaxation and swing if your horse doesn't have mental relaxation. And your horse certainly doesn't have mental relaxation when its skin is crawling because you're in its space.

This is a big focus inside the Holistic Horse Handling Methodology - to have our horse invite us into their bubble and, eventually, into the saddle.

Different horses have different bubbles:

• Some horses don't have bubbles and are all up in our space and bubble and we have to set the bubble with them otherwise they go over the top of us. 

• Some horses need to feel like we are safe and predictable to let us come into their space. 

• Other horses just don't really like to be touched and prefer us to stand quietly with them and not be in their bubble all the time.  

Do you know what your horse's bubble preference is? Go hang out with them and see where they are comfortable around you, and tell us in the comments!