You are very lucky to have this opportunity. Horses prefer being with horses in the wild. The carrot of freedom and self-direction and community of the herd is stronger than anything you have to offer her at this time. I would not feel hurt but rather be overjoyed that I could give my horse this lifestyle. I would suggest that you join her instead of her joining you so you can understand her life and what it will take to redirect her focus. Let these conditions take over your focus and be with your horse on her terms. You are lucky to have such an environment even for yourself.

Take this opportunity to fall in love with nature, discover how to be in the moment and at peace with what is, become aware of the system in nature and the community of the herd. Become a wildlife lover and enjoy her experience. Take pictures and groom her when she itches. Bring her food like alfalfa and wait for her to finish it. When she finishes it, follow her if you can. Go with her if she will let you. Pay attention to the distance she would like you to keep.

Why is it that she must follow your lead for you too feel good about the connection you share with her? She might have the same feeling you do. She might say why is it that to have a bond with you, I must go where she goes?

Enjoy the time that you have to fall in love with the relationship as it is. I could give you a method to connect with her in the wild but it would be, in my mind, not to your best interest and to hers. If you become one with her in her freedom you can better understand her point of view and then when her point of view does not hurt your feelings, you will be better equipped to make choices to empower your leadership.

Again you and your horse are very lucky to have the environment you have. By the way, get to know the other horses too. Take a chair to the place where they go most often, sit in the chair and read. If the horses come up to you, ignore them unless they get pushy and if they get pushy, move or ask them to leave you alone by using your body language to drive them from your personal space. Give the horses freedom to inspect you. This creates trust and increases the bond. Have fun with nature as it is.

I think it is most important that you stop looking for formulas at this point. Let the experience in nature open up your possibilities. If you do, I will offer you guidance along the way. How much time do you give your horse on a daily basis? I hope enough to be able to grow the connection naturally.

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