This concept is not new - it is quite Buddhist in nature and origin. We all have a "well" or collection of the things that have happened in our lives (and for reincarnation - previous lives lived) that determine our expectations in the Now. This holds true for our horses (and dogs, etc.) just as it does for us. If our well is full of positive, uplifting experiences, we will tend to expect positive things from those around us and from situations. Should we have a well filled with negative experiences; disappointment, cruelty, pain, conflict... we will expect the same from new situations, at least until they prove themselves to be different. Working with horses, we are adding "drops" to their wells of experience - if they have had predominantly negative experiences with humans, of course they will expect more of the same and prepare, each in his own unique way, to be "assaulted" again. If mostly positive drops fill a horse's "well", he will remain open, friendly, trusting in new situations. As the human partner, it is our duty to replace the negative drops with postitivity with daily edifying and loving care. Just like pouring cream into coffee - eventually the cup will be filled with cream when the coffee has become diluted and finally replaced.
