5th July 2025
Sammy is a little anxious about head collars, so we decided to do a little work with him, showing him (and the others in the herd) that a head collar is not something to worry about.
He has had a couple of sessions before, but is still intent on making you work for the privilege of placing a head collar on his wonderful big head! At his last farrier visit he wasn’t going to allow it.
(To be honest, with a good amount of trusted co-operation from all parties, I believe Sammy would quite happily have his feet done without a head collar on, but that’s for another day). To be in the world of humans it is best he has a head collar on as this gives those that work with him (vets, farriers, dentists, etc) the imagined feeling that he is under control. Funny what we tell ourselves isn’t it. Sammy is a big horse, but oh so gentle and kind.
This session just gives an insight into why it isn’t the best answer to chase a horse round a field with a head collar – just wait until they come to rest and relax and then approach. Persistence is key. Chasing is not.
This video is the third time of putting on the head collar today. This time he just drops his head into it. Perfect. “Well dones” and “thank yous”, then we spend 10 minutes just being present and allowing the feeling of peace and relaxation to permeate through the head collar. Once he has licked his lips, accepting the feeling, we work backwards to take it off.
In the video I mention that he hasn’t released everything yet. He hasn’t yawned. Guess what…we had three big yawns just after I turned off the video, lol. Its always the way.
After taking off the head collar we would go present again, then he gets some massage on his neck and a tmj release. As Lisa explains, he has had head holding issues since he arrived. Over time, with patience, working at his pace, he will release the head and neck tension.
As an aside, while watching the video, watch Danny, the little shetland pony. He is holding space and supporting his friend throughout the entire process. You will notice how he held his space until we are done, and then he comes into the space. The end of the video is a wonderful sharing of gratitude between the three of us which Lisa managed to capture.