Grounded Rider

As Xena became a bit more tolerant with being touched, the Car Wash Mitt game evolved into the Grounded Rider game. Both games focus on touch, with trust as the underlying theme; both are interpretations of the Friendly Game℠.

Xena was uncomfortable with me being beside her. If I attempted to approach her shoulder or barrel, she’d evade me by moving sideways or backwards, even if I walked backwards to do so. I created the Grounded Rider game to build her tolerance and to mimic the position of a rider on her back.*

I began by softly resting my hand on her shoulder. If she moved her feet, I’d keep my hand in position, removing it only when she stopped moving. Sometimes, my hand rested on her for only a moment.

We progressed very slowly, over a period of many weeks. Gradually she allowed me to rest my hand on her withers and back. In time I could drape my arm over her back, just as a saddle may do someday.

Later I could lean against her barrel, imitating the rider’s legs. And then one day, she allowed me to rest my head on her withers; the ultimate position of an attacking predator. This was a difficult game for Xena. As I began to understand the depth of her distrust and dislike of human contact, the game simply became a barometer of her trust in me.

Update August 2009 – Xena has become very affectionate, and it’s amazing to look back and remember she was once untouchable. Occasionally we’ll still play Grounded Rider in her stall, where I’ll rest my arms and head on her withers while she calmly eats her hay.

* Xena was ridden a couple of years ago by professional trainers, although she never became comfortable with close human contact.
Friendly Game℠ is a service mark of Parelli Natural Horsemanship, Inc.