Klaus part 2: The magic of communication, a moment of transference





In the third encounter Klaus had with the horses something else magical seemed to happen. The weather and the rail strikes that made up the backdrop of our journey meant that this took place a few months after the first encounter (see Klaus part 1). 

In this third encounter, after my initiation routines had been accomplished, Klaus turned up and we went into the arena where I invited him to practice fitting the head collar using my own head, hands and neck fashioned to the shape of a horse's head. He was a little surprised by the idea, but overcame his hesitation and figured out how to manipulate the pieces of knotted string to secure it on another body, in this case mine. While we were thus engaged, the five horses present today began a slow walk down from the top field and came right into the arena where we were. 

I knew Klaus was eager to experience a communicating connection with a horse in this, his final session. But the horses first of all had to organise themselves in this space, and a small skirmish broke out. Klaus and I went to stand by the barrel that I had placed upright in the centre of a pattern of poles in this arena. We kept our distance, and closely observed the way the horses worked things out amongst themselves. Time passed. Klaus held the halter up in his hands and offered it, holding it towards one of the horses. After a few more offers, and a little more time, Klaus gave up and dropped the halter to the ground. He returned to the fence in resignation. 

A few moments later, two of the mares sauntered over to the dropped halter and sniffed it. One looked back at Klaus, and seemed to measure the moment. Klaus waited, and watched her pick up the halter in her teeth. She flicked it deliberately towards him. She didn't let it go, but held it firmly in her teeth, before putting it down again close to her feet. Klaus had no difficulty reading the gesture and responding to her invitation. He went right over and picked it up. She stepped back, turning her head and neck in a gesture that invites and gives him some space, offering a shoulder towards him. He held the ring of the noseband open in his hands. She walked three steps towards him, then placed her nose in the ring. He fixed the rest of the pieces in place, then took up his place by her side and together they walked down the length of the arena; Klaus had a huge grin on his face. 


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