This semester I’ve been studying human development in my psychology class. Our most recent topic was Identity crisis in adolescents and the continuing development of our identities throughout our lifespan. I’ve always been pretty confident in knowing who I am as a person. However, I couldn’t have been more off when it comes to the personality I display while working with my horse.
I’ve recently (within the past year) become more confident and more extroverted in my behavior. I didn’t give much thought into this when playing with Domino, but now that I’m scanning through my memories and analyzing our play sessions, I can definitely see a difference in my outward self when I’m with him compared to a few years ago.
When I first started working with him I was very introverted, and I believe I was using more soft body language than I have been recently. I’ve noticed I’m more demanding and pushy with him- more prone to fight him on something than retreat and ask again. This has to bother him as he’s a Left Brained Extrovert and wants things his way. I’ve had to battle with him for dominance before during our first year, but never like we are now.
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For the past couple of nights playing with him I’ve more carefully monitered the way I display my emotions and softened my tone of voice and body language. It’s seemed to have worked well for us so far. While he’s still trying to be pushy with his face and is still crowding me at times, he has been much more responsive and cognitive of his actions lately. Our connectivity has also has a boost in the past couple play sessions.
Being human is what I was born into, and sometimes it’s hard to lose the preditoty nature that’s been imprinted on me. However, when I just let go and start acting like a partner instead of a teacher, that’s when things click.
I think that’s the biggest thing I’ll have to overcome with Domino- Myself.
Challenge excepted!
