When a horse says no during a treatment/bodywork session etc

[Courting the Horse]

Something that has been bouncing around in my mind is "what do most people do during an ET session, osteopathy, reiki, massage etc when a horse seems to want to say no".  If the horse doesn't want the treatment of a particular bit of the treatment what is most people's reactions.

My opinion is that they may not be ready and I might decide to come back to that later when they may have recovered in other areas or just feel stronger in themselves.  I know one person who strongly believes that you need to work through it and be strong for the horse even if you have to restrain them  quite a lot.  I wasn't convinced but I thought that maybe there might be some interesting arguments out there for both sides...

[intouch]

I've only had I think 2 horses in more than 10 years of working with horses that really weren't happy to co-operate.   
On both, I got to put in the stoppers, but when they continually resisted any further hands on, I didn't push it.

Both of these were in open spaces, and I now wonder if that had anything to do with it.  I was working with a brood mare recently, in  field, with another mare and their foals - which wasn't ideal to start with.  She was very indignant at her space being invaded.  Her owner suggested bringing her into the stable, which wasn't very convenient as of course they all had to come in, but she was very happy in her stable and loved the work - when I could get to her, with a very large TB filly trying to steal the vibes!  (Yes she did get some too!)

Since I have been attuned to Reiki I find that a lot of horses relax even more when I start off with 5 mins hands on, and sometimes I use Ttouch moves when there is an area of concern. (Yes, I know, keep it pure! But tools are for using, there's no point in being precious if it gets the job done.)

[osteosam]

I'd agree in that some horses are like some humans and are quite resistant to the whole idea of relaxation. I've actually found that some of them respond better to something a little more direct in the bag of tools, using some good deep myofascial release for example (in an area that they're not hypersensitive to begin with so as to avoid just making them even more resistant). I liken them to the really cynical big brutish guys who look at me and think (and sometimes many months later own up to thinking) "what's she gonna be able to do to me??".

For the horses that are just simply in pain and very wary of touch due to the pain response, I usually begin in the least painful part of their body. Build a bit of trust and work gently into the restriction as they will allow. The majority respond really well to that approach as they seem to have a sense of trust going on by that stage. There is still a lot of give and take I think in the average treatment, even those who are relatively straight forward. Akin to the give and take necessary when working with living tissues (ie - you often have to back away from the restriction or barrier to movement to allow the tissues the space to change), regardless of the animal in questions opinion of the matter... if you get what I mean?? 

[Courting the Horse]

Osteosam - in a way you are saying that while there may be a resistance to recovery, or an inability to accept something that might be helpful, there can be ways around that.  It sounds like pushing something won't work, but gradually showing the body/mind that what you are doing is beneficial then they may let go of a bit of that resistance.  And of course if they have still not let go then that is ok, and maybe next time they might let you in....I think that makes sense to me.

Intouch - I think you're right about open spaces, but I had never really thought about it before.  The only thing that I had noticed is that I don't feel enclined to do Equine Touch or any other little moves like TTEAM in the field.  I seem to think it makes more sense to do it when the girls have come into the gravel area which is a smaller, more closed in area.  Interestingly when the girls got a fright in the field the other day they ran up to this area after a good freak out and then settled down.  So maybe they do feel more comfortable in smaller spaces than we might imagine....at least when they have positive connections anyway

[Christine]

I'm not a professional, but I think for me and my horses it is the best if I listen to "small" signals that they don't like a certain move. So i.e. if they tell me in a whisper that they had enough and I haven't finished the ET Basic Body Balance I do the rest in the aura. (since there is a rule that you always should finish it)

I compare it with a dog - if you ignore a growl you might get bitten... I don't want my horses to feel they have to bite or kick me so I will listen. And I think in the long term this builds up trust that I REALLY don't want to impose it on them. 

Maria, that restraining idea you mentioned I find quite odd...  if it is for a very serious medical treatment, ok. But for releasing tension of any form it sounds quite contradicting to me. A therapist who would have the idea of strapping me to the massage bench would only see a cloud of dust and for my animals I am just as protective

[Courting the Horse]

Christine, I completely agree with the restraining idea sounding odd.  It was something that was explained in an odd way too and sort of left me wondering....which is why I wanted other people's opinion on it.  Personally I really feel that if a horse, or like you say a person, is not ready for something then it should wait.  I don't think there is any harm in taking ones time with recovery, going in one layer at a time.  I like the aspect that Osteosam mentioned you may look for another way to go in gently - a bit like your doing the ET in the aura.  I suppose it's up to US to be creative and to learn how to be sensitive and to listen to feedback.

[Sue & Tinta]

Ok (I'm not a professional or a Practitioner but a level 3 ET student) and I have ET'd a few horses who have objected to a particular area and yet during the initial branding have shown no particular objections. I did work on a horse for the first time that objected strongly to his right hind being worked on during the BBB (previous injury several years ago)- I skipped the Hindquarters procedure and went onto work on the rest of the horse he then allowed me to carry out the hamstrings procedure quite happily on the right hind upon completion and the next session did not object too much when I came to do his right hindquarters.
We are taught that 'ET is a gift to the horse' and therefore 'not to impose it' upon the horse. Surely restraining the horse and working through the objection would result in the horse getting tense and stressed i.e not relaxed which would simply not be conducive to the fact that muscles can only be nourished when in a relaxed state. Also if you 'work through it ' with the horse then surely next time you go into your introduction the horse is going to say 'hang on a mo I remember what happened last time so would probably give you exactly the same resistance - however in the 'skip that bit' approach will have acknowledged that you listened to him the last time, remembered the experiance was actually quite a nice relaxing one and maybe allow you in on that area on the next occassion.   
Remember in the initial ET approach we are told to scratch the horses withers as opposed to rubbing his neck which is something the vet tends to do prior to sticking a needle in. Certainly food for thought 

[Courting the Horse]

yep I agree with that.  Possibly it is ok to offer an alternative approach and see how that is accepted. If it is not then definitely move on without causing any tension etc.  I agree that it is counter productive.