Feeling With Heart

Sorry guys-that was the most recent photo I could find. It's a little blurry, but I think it works for the theme of today's blog.
And the theme is-putting the relationship first, and always, always ALWAYS putting your heart in your hands.
That day I didn't have my heart in it-I was focused on the task, and the task alone-I put out the weave and started out with a figure eight. We had given him a long grooming session (I mean at least an hour long one) beforehand. I asked him to do the figure eight, and he did so, but it was with a terrible expression, ears pinned, ect. He did it, but with a..nasty expression on his face. I tried to interrupt that expression with a strong yoyo, and a resend, being particular about his expression, but it seemed no matter what I did his expression wouldn't change. Finally, after an hour of trying to figure out this puzzle, I went on a hunch, brought him in, and gave him a hug, and rubbed him the way I haven't in a while-bringing absolutely every positive feeling I have for this horse and rubbing him with it. After a few minutes, I backed him up, and his expression had completely changed. Completely. He was back to being willing and obedient, and playful with a positive expression on his face. He did a nice sideways for me over a cone with ears pricked forward and eyes bright, and I decided that was all we needed to do for the day, and went to groom him one last time with heidi and aly (bringing them along to the barn more often now), putting his blanket on, and licking and chewing over this development.
First off, I knew he was sensitive-but I didn't know THIS sensitive. I must've really offended him, only focusing on the task and not him. What a discovery! WOW!