A CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE
Looking through the Eyes of a Horse
By: Esta G. Bernstein, U.S.A.
“There is nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse. ~ John Lubbock”
No truer words were ever said. As we look deep into the behaviors and emotions of our equine companions, we discover a wealth of information about our own actions, reactions, and habits. As we go down this rabbit-hole, we discover how horses bring us to a level of awareness, including awareness of our life’s transitions. They can help us overcome the challenges that these transitions present. As we examine the energetic communication between our horses and ourselves, we see that they have always held the key for us to become comfortable with change.
Change is not the End… it is only the Beginning
Horses and humans are creatures of habit. Both species are very comfortable with consistency, routine, and things that are familiar. Emotions and behaviors change in these species when their routines are disrupted. What emotional or behavior changes do horses go through when a herd member departs, or a new one arrives? When we are asking a horse to calm down, are we really speaking to ourselves? Are they our perfect mirrors when dealing with change? How do we step out of ego and realize that they are feeding us valuable information about ourselves?
Based on my experience, the answer is “yes,” horses can mirror our emotions to a “T.” Within these past thirty years of my rescuing and rehabilitating horses, I have seen an array of equine emotions and reactions on display, based on my own mood when I arrive at the barn, as well as observing their behavior when new or familiar people come to volunteer at our rescue. If any of us are having an “off day,” we may be frazzled, upset, out of sorts, off our feed, and so on. Our emotions can run rampant when something in our life is in the middle of a shift. Many horses clearly do not like change, while some of them thrive on it. It is a very individual process for them, just as it is for us. Some of our horses are emotional rocks, waiting patiently for a cuddle when we feel more in balance. Some of them want nothing to do with us until we have recalibrated our attitude. What can we do to become more comfortable with change, especially if it is abrupt and sudden? How does our observation of horse behavior, as it relates to change, help us become more in control of our emotions and reactions?
When I am with a horse and connecting to it from its point of view (a place of authenticity and non-judgment), it provides me with opportunities to see where my beliefs, attitudes, emotions, and thoughts need adjustment. As divine mirrors horses gently, or maybe not so gently, nudge me into an emotional shift so I can bring myself up to their level of compassion and understanding. As I try to behave more horse-like, I have found that changing my emotions, behavior, and mind set, will be as easy or as difficult as I choose to make it. When I step out of my ego, and flow with my heart’s intuition, change becomes much more comfortable. Intuition is the main survival skill that horses and all other species have mastered. For us to become at ease with change, our left-brained human mind rationalization must shift to the back burner. Trusting my intuition is a lifelong practice that has become easier with time.
Accepting Change
From my personal experience, I know that change is something that does not have to be feared. For example, when we are with a horse and we have a negative experience, such as being hurt unintentionally by it, because we are not being present and in the moment with our horse, we may become reluctant to be around that horse. It is natural that our survival mode kicks in and tells us we should proceed with caution, or not do that particular activity again because we may possibly risk injury. These can be very real scenarios, and what we once thought enjoyable and safe might no longer feel so.
Because horses (and some humans) equate change with something to be feared, in the most simplistic terms we can break down fear into three basic categories; 1) fear of becoming uncomfortable, 2) fear of injury, and 3) fear of death. However, it is our attachment to the material object (in the described scenario – our body) that causes pain and fear of change. While this pain is extremely real and necessary for our growth and expansion, it has a much greater purpose. This pain attachment allows us to be aware of our vibrational alignment, and how it can be adjusted so we can become a better version of ourselves. Being with horses teaches us to live in the moment. A horse’s natural default button is peace. They know all is well, and everything is in perfect divine timing. If we are able to move into that state of being, then we too will be comfortable with any change or challenge we are facing. This realization comes with the knowledge that the only thing we can truly change is how we feel.
New Beginnings
One key piece of information I have learned from horses is that there cannot be change without some kind of death. The word death can be greatly misunderstood and feared as the word implies the end of something. It could be the end of a life but it could also be the end of a belief, habit, or relationship. Being comfortable with an ending is essential to becoming comfortable with change. If we can transform our perspective, it can become a beautiful gift bringing us back to source; death can be viewed as a reset button. We are brought closer to alignment and that ending can be embraced and celebrated. Death can be seen as not an ending; it is just the beginning.
Horses in the Cosmic Plan
We are in the middle of an amazing global energetic shift. We are at a turning point where we have no choice but to accept change. What do horses have to do with this global change? My lifetime with horses tells me that the answer is “everything.” When we truly understand the depth of knowledge that lies within horses, the relationship between horse and human becomes a gift of clear communication, preparing us for the unexpected, seeing life through their eyes, while embracing how they can heal our deepest wounds. They bring us to our most vulnerable places so that these wounds are nurtured, and the emotions behind these wounds do not cut so deep. Having horses as our mirror for change is essential for our emotional and spiritual evolution.
Change exists so we do not become complacent. Change is the label for the universal process of our life force, which is constantly in motion and here to assist every living being with their spiritual evolution. Just like the caterpillar that becomes the butterfly, we would never be able to see things on a larger scale if we do not get off the ground. Change is the launching pad for new beginnings, opportunities, and adventures. It will bring you to where you need to be. If you are having trouble listening to your own advice, listen to the horse within. Nevertheless, when in doubt, or if you are having a challenging day, hug your horse. They are here to change with us. ~*~
Accepting Change
From my personal experience, I know that change is something that does not have to be feared. For example, when we are with a horse and we have a negative experience, such as being hurt unintentionally by it, because we are not being present and in the moment with our horse, we may become reluctant to be around that horse. It is natural that our survival mode kicks in and tells us we should proceed with caution, or not do that particular activity again because we may possibly risk injury. These can be very real scenarios, and what we once thought enjoyable and safe might no longer feel so.
Because horses (and some humans) equate change with something to be feared, in the most simplistic terms we can break down fear into three basic categories; 1) fear of becoming uncomfortable, 2) fear of injury, and 3) fear of death. However, it is our attachment to the material object (in the described scenario – our body) that causes pain and fear of change. While this pain is extremely real and necessary for our growth and expansion, it has a much greater purpose. This pain attachment allows us to be aware of our vibrational alignment, and how it can be adjusted so we can become a better version of ourselves. Being with horses teaches us to live in the moment. A horse’s natural default button is peace. They know all is well, and everything is in perfect divine timing. If we are able to move into that state of being, then we too will be comfortable with any change or challenge we are facing. This realization comes with the knowledge that the only thing we can truly change is how we feel.
New Beginnings
One key piece of information I have learned from horses is that there cannot be change without some kind of death. The word death can be greatly misunderstood and feared as the word implies the end of something. It could be the end of a life but it could also be the end of a belief, habit, or relationship. Being comfortable with an ending is essential to becoming comfortable with change. If we can transform our perspective, it can become a beautiful gift bringing us back to source; death can be viewed as a reset button. We are brought closer to alignment and that ending can be embraced and celebrated. Death can be seen as not an ending; it is just the beginning.
Horses in the Cosmic Plan
We are in the middle of an amazing global energetic shift. We are at a turning point where we have no choice but to accept change. What do horses have to do with this global change? My lifetime with horses tells me that the answer is “everything.” When we truly understand the depth of knowledge that lies within horses, the relationship between horse and human becomes a gift of clear communication, preparing us for the unexpected, seeing life through their eyes, while embracing how they can heal our deepest wounds. They bring us to our most vulnerable places so that these wounds are nurtured, and the emotions behind these wounds do not cut so deep. Having horses as our mirror for change is essential for our emotional and spiritual evolution.
Change exists so we do not become complacent. Change is the label for the universal process of our life force, which is constantly in motion and here to assist every living being with their spiritual evolution. Just like the caterpillar that becomes the butterfly, we would never be able to see things on a larger scale if we do not get off the ground. Change is the launching pad for new beginnings, opportunities, and adventures. It will bring you to where you need to be. If you are having trouble listening to your own advice, listen to the horse within. Nevertheless, when in doubt, or if you are having a challenging day, hug your horse. They are here to change with us. ~*~
