Why Horses?
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Why do Equine Assisted Learning facilitators and psychotherapists partner with horses?
This is a thought-provoking question. There are so many animals that share many positive, interactive activities with humans. Why the horse?
This is a thought-provoking question. There are so many animals that share many positive, interactive activities with humans. Why the horse?
Horses have been preyed upon for millennium. In order to protect their species, it has been imperative for them to learn specific skills and to become extremely adept at using them. Throughout history humans have found horses to be willing partners for many activities, including travel, hunting, battle and for pleasure. Now these magnificent beings are partnering with humans in a more intimate way. In so doing, they teach us the skills that have kept them vibrant.
These skills are portable. Skills such as: living authentically; exploring relationships and ‘feeling’ true emotional intimacy, (perhaps for the first time) seeing ourselves through another being’s experience; becoming familiar with how much communication happens through our body language as well as how our body responds to another being; and learning how to stay in the moment. All of these skills can be taken from our direct experience with the horse into our ‘real’ lives, including our families, friends, business and social relationships. We become cognizant of our conscious and unconscious behaviour patterns. These patterns are clear to a horse, as they have become quite adept at reading us. They are totally aware when our outsides do not match our insides.
An example from a workshop I facilitated: Unbeknown to me at the start, but revealed through debriefing at the end, the client was afraid to go into a round pen with this huge 4-legged beauty. However, she put on a smile and asked herself, “How dangerous can it be? Many people talk about how wonderful their experience has been. I shouldn’t be afraid. I don’t want to look like a wimp! I’ll just make myself big and do it!” She walked into the round pen and the horse went round and round the circumference, staying away from her, and speeding up. Her heart started to pound, her face got red and her brain was about to go into overdrive. She realized she just wanted to run out of there. In her mind, she was in mortal danger! I saw this in her body language, interpreted the horse’s body language and suggested that she breathe, deep long slow breaths. Breathing down her body into the ground. She did that a few times and, like magic, the horse stopped circling and slowly started to come towards her with his head down, his body relaxed, licking and chewing. She felt it! She noticed she was no longer afraid. She was relaxed and able to derive great benefit from her further experiences with the horse.
The body of a horse portrays a large physical presence. This presence can be intimidating and arouse fear in humans. Due to the innate nature of the horse, their size and stature can also be a means for people to confront that fear in themselves and gain new courage, confidence and coping skills. In doing so, we learn about ourselves as well as the horse.
Horses allow humans to experience a truly authentic relationship with another living being because horses can’t lie. They have been conditioned over the millennia to observe the environment, feel the feeling that arises, react in order to protect themselves if necessary, process the information received and then go back to grazing. Horses have the ability to show us how we too can do exactly the same thing. We don’t need to get stuck in our emotions. Nor do we need to over-react to uncomfortable situations.
People feel safe exploring relationships when in the presence of a horse. Horses don’t judge people. They offer unconditional support through their body language and demeanour. People can experience emotional intimacy when in the presence of a horse. We are then able to correct our conscious or unconscious belief that there is something wrong or unacceptable about us.
Horses reflect our behaviours back to us. They mirror our behaviours, even when those behaviours are not conscious. This allows us to see what the rest of the world sees and feels when they interact with us. Horses allow people to understand their non-verbal cues. They show us the emotional impact and the intent of our words and actions. Horses are masters at non-verbal communication. They have learned other skills well, due to the fact that they don’t have a voice as humans do. These skills they share with us through our interactions with them, if we are willing to watch, listen and learn.
Horses are capable of acknowledging the slightest gestures we make and they respond accordingly. They are exquisitely attuned to the person and pay close attention to body language, emotional state and innuendos. No two are alike, just like humans. In a herd of horses, there are well-defined roles within the herd, a pecking order. They each have distinct personalities with unique attitudes and approaches. We humans rely mainly on our intellect while horses access the wisdom of their entire body allowing them to read and respond to the energy around them. This is how they have survived for so many years.
These skills are portable. Skills such as: living authentically; exploring relationships and ‘feeling’ true emotional intimacy, (perhaps for the first time) seeing ourselves through another being’s experience; becoming familiar with how much communication happens through our body language as well as how our body responds to another being; and learning how to stay in the moment. All of these skills can be taken from our direct experience with the horse into our ‘real’ lives, including our families, friends, business and social relationships. We become cognizant of our conscious and unconscious behaviour patterns. These patterns are clear to a horse, as they have become quite adept at reading us. They are totally aware when our outsides do not match our insides.
An example from a workshop I facilitated: Unbeknown to me at the start, but revealed through debriefing at the end, the client was afraid to go into a round pen with this huge 4-legged beauty. However, she put on a smile and asked herself, “How dangerous can it be? Many people talk about how wonderful their experience has been. I shouldn’t be afraid. I don’t want to look like a wimp! I’ll just make myself big and do it!” She walked into the round pen and the horse went round and round the circumference, staying away from her, and speeding up. Her heart started to pound, her face got red and her brain was about to go into overdrive. She realized she just wanted to run out of there. In her mind, she was in mortal danger! I saw this in her body language, interpreted the horse’s body language and suggested that she breathe, deep long slow breaths. Breathing down her body into the ground. She did that a few times and, like magic, the horse stopped circling and slowly started to come towards her with his head down, his body relaxed, licking and chewing. She felt it! She noticed she was no longer afraid. She was relaxed and able to derive great benefit from her further experiences with the horse.
The body of a horse portrays a large physical presence. This presence can be intimidating and arouse fear in humans. Due to the innate nature of the horse, their size and stature can also be a means for people to confront that fear in themselves and gain new courage, confidence and coping skills. In doing so, we learn about ourselves as well as the horse.
Horses allow humans to experience a truly authentic relationship with another living being because horses can’t lie. They have been conditioned over the millennia to observe the environment, feel the feeling that arises, react in order to protect themselves if necessary, process the information received and then go back to grazing. Horses have the ability to show us how we too can do exactly the same thing. We don’t need to get stuck in our emotions. Nor do we need to over-react to uncomfortable situations.
People feel safe exploring relationships when in the presence of a horse. Horses don’t judge people. They offer unconditional support through their body language and demeanour. People can experience emotional intimacy when in the presence of a horse. We are then able to correct our conscious or unconscious belief that there is something wrong or unacceptable about us.
Horses reflect our behaviours back to us. They mirror our behaviours, even when those behaviours are not conscious. This allows us to see what the rest of the world sees and feels when they interact with us. Horses allow people to understand their non-verbal cues. They show us the emotional impact and the intent of our words and actions. Horses are masters at non-verbal communication. They have learned other skills well, due to the fact that they don’t have a voice as humans do. These skills they share with us through our interactions with them, if we are willing to watch, listen and learn.
Horses are capable of acknowledging the slightest gestures we make and they respond accordingly. They are exquisitely attuned to the person and pay close attention to body language, emotional state and innuendos. No two are alike, just like humans. In a herd of horses, there are well-defined roles within the herd, a pecking order. They each have distinct personalities with unique attitudes and approaches. We humans rely mainly on our intellect while horses access the wisdom of their entire body allowing them to read and respond to the energy around them. This is how they have survived for so many years.
Horses teach us to be present to this moment. They don’t agonize over what happened yesterday nor do they worry about what will happen tomorrow. They are firmly present in what is going on right here, right now.
They are more than willing to teach us.
They are more than willing to teach us.
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Pat Hutchinson Bio Check out Pat's Bio on our Equine Leadership About page: www.equineleadership.ca/about.html |