I started trimming Raiku's hooves, but for some reason she was very nervous. As if she were afraid that something bad is going to happen and she needs to defend herself. Which in turn triggered my memories of domestic violence, my breathing getting shallow and my senses becoming alert to detect any incoming blow. I realized this is no good for us, so I dropped the tools and went into smoothly working with the very basics. How to make a horse feel safe and mellow? How to overcome my own fear of 'something bad is going to happen and I'd better defend myself'? After a while I removed Raiku's halter, but she didn't go away but voluntarily stayed next to me. I felt the ground firmly under my feet, letting my belly and lower back relax so that I can breathe freely and deeply. A moment of safety and trust.