In the Heart of a Mustang

“Horses are really two different animals in one big body. One of the animals reacts and one thinks. Now, take a wild mustang. Most of them have an over-developed reacting animal inside o’ them. That’s good because that’s what keeps ‘em alive. So, our job as trainers is to help that reacting animal get smaller and make the thinking one get bigger.” Smokey turned to look at the stallion who was still watching him. “Look at him. You can almost see the thinking animal growing inside o’ him caint ya?”

Hunter looked over at the stallion. His eyes were alert and his ears were pricked forward. He stood watching them while he licked his lips and, occasionally blew out a deep breath. Over all, he seemed quite relaxed.

Smokey turned back toward Hunter. “Now that mare o’ yours, she has an unusually large thinking animal already inside. Don’t know where that came from but it’s there without a doubt. She’s a special one, she is.”

Hunter felt himself smile. He liked hearing Sally referred to as his.

“Today I am going to help this horse become desensitized to pressure. I have spent the last couple of days getting him to move to pressure. Now I want him to learn that he don’t always have to run away from pressure.”