Horse Geeks Episode 165: The Anticipatory Reflex

The Horse Geeks Podcast - Where we look at horses and riding from the inside out



NEW: Wexford Training monthly newsletter! Get micro lessons with Thoughts to Ponder, Info on new content, learning offers and updates to my calendar delivered to your inbox monthly by signing up on the email list.

Sign up is at the bottom of the home page at www.kirstennelsen.com  

AND - For a FREE Power Hour consultation please visit: www.kirstennelsen.com



Topic: The anticipatory reflex is an unconscious, core reaction in us and our horse as soon as we perceive a possible threat or possible destabilizing action to the body. This reflex is why we can't help but tighten everywhere when our horse does something unexpected, even when it is not dangerous. It's also why our horse acts out suddenly when something unexpected happens in the environment. We and our horses will always have this initial, unconscious reaction to something unexpected, startling or out of our control, but we can learn to pause instead of reacting. When we become more aware of this reflex, we automatically gain more control over it. We learn to pause and redirect, ourself and our horse, in order to over-ride unsafe instinctive behavior and work together in harmony.



Guest: Deb Romero, certified Alexander Technique Instructor

www.optimalposture.org



Host: Kirsten Nelsen, professional horse trainer

Developer of Training for Optimal Balance

https://kirstennelsen.com/



The workbook series mentioned is only available at: https://kirstennelsen.com/shop/