Deja Vu is ‘seen before’ in French, that sensation of having experienced an event, even if it is completely novel. But working with this mare is entirely unique each time, no sense of a ‘been there, done that.’ Well, some sense of having been there, since we do not start at ground zero each time we begin a session, rather we build on the foundation we have been working hard at creating.
When Deja first arrived at SAFE, she was reluctant to be caught, and absolutely petrified of the flag. Even keeping it at a distance and waving it as quiet as possible saw Deja pulling at the end of her line, desperate to get away. Petting her with it was also an absolute no go, a concept that was very difficult for her to consider. But Deja has come a very long way from those first days here, and it has been truly amazing getting to watch her grow in her confidence and, as a result, let down in her physicality.
Deja is a very intelligent horse who picks up on things very quickly, and it has been neat to observe how much she holds on to from previous sessions. Each time I pull her out, she starts a little further than she did the previous day. It’s been great watching her progress in such broad strokes. As of late, we have been closing in the boundaries a bit more to challenge her, and she has been taking it in stride. While the flag is not the great villain it once was, she still does not care for it on her neck or above her withers. Fair enough, as these are blind spots. But in getting in and getting out, she is learning that she can move her feet away from the thing that makes her nervous, and that it is not going to bite her. Quite the opposite actually, for flag pets must feel rather nice. Deja has reached a point of understanding with the flag where she wants to stop with it petting her — a previously unheard of concept. There are more than a few moments in there where I have to ask her to move, because she is content to let it rest upon her. Content is truly the word here, because there is no longer the bracing fear, deer-in-the-headlights kind of scenario when it touches her. Or at least, not nearly as much.
She is learning to move away with more balance and intention, and you can see it in the set of her head as she walks around in a circle. Just because she is a Tennessee Walker does not mean her ears have to live in the clouds. It has been nice to watch her mellow out and literally let down.
One thing we are still working on is the separation of her and her best friend (and potential mother?) Cleopatra. Having lived together all their lives, these two are understandably bothered when separated from one another, but they are both learning to find peace and security with their handlers. I have been working on taking Deja further and further from Cleo, and bringing her attention back to me when it drifts. Each time she feels the need to call or gets a panicky look in her eye, I gently bring her attention back to the work we are doing and remind her that I can help to support her. And she believes me.
It has been very rewarding working with Deja, seeing the massive changes she is getting, and watching her relax into herself a little more, day by day!
