The Path to the Horse

Horses are “helping over civilized people reconnect with the wisdom and rhythms of the world.” Linda Kohanov, Riding Between the World.

This over civilized state of being is the world many of us live in. Not only with horses but in our everyday lives. This disconnect puts more value on our rational thinking and learned mental patterns causing us to override our hearts.  Leaving us searching and lost in a world of thoughts and trying to figuring things out.  The mind that is full of chatter is a place horses run from.  The natural vibration of horses reside in a more alpha state of being. Horses have a less verbal more telepathic or sensory way of being. These beautifully sensitive animals can teach us to sense with our whole bodies. This path can teach you to hear from a deeper place within, where you are not as addicted to the technique, but feel the fluidness of the dance.  Horses want us to  become more empathic and responsive in the moment.  It’s not that we throw out all that we have learned about the technique of riding.  We learn to simultaneously sense the horse, its emotional, mental and spiritual state along with feeling our own bodies. We feel with the horse, in a sense become the horse.  The ability to reconnect and sense our own bodies connects us to our emotions, instincts and intuition. It is in this place of connection with ourself, our original nature, that give us the key to open up and unlock the nature of the horse.

A solid connection to our body and our instincts should be one of the first things we address before we even think about being with horses.  Many problems with horses arise because we don’t even know what we are feeling and we unconsciously program or project our issue on to our horses(animals, children etc.). One exercise I found helpful is to spend some time just being with your horse. Sit and sense into your own body.  Scan your body.  What are you feeling? Is there any frustration, anxiety, joy, excitement?  Another question to sense into is “are these my emotions or the horses”? Emotions are contagious! The horse will only magnify and act out what is unconscious in you.  The horse is wired to feel into their environment, so make sure you know what you are putting out.  This exercise will help you in connecting to your body. Emotions are the gateway to our body and also the language of animals. The difference between a rider and the art of riding is based on clarity of self, this self awareness is the first step.

Horses and Authenticity

Many of you that know me have witnessed my journey with horses from competitor to partner.  At first I felt that maybe if I had learned the lesson the other way around it would had benefited both the horse and myself for a richer learning experience quicker. As I examined that thought I realized that I did have the partnership and friend portion long before I ever turned to competition and training. I was raised with horses as a child we had friendship then and while in competition.  I believe the truth of the situation is that certain lost or hidden aspects of being with horses are just not taught.  It is ancient knowledge that was lost as we lost touch with the balance of all life.  Being with horses is a holistic journey and riding is only the tip of the iceberg.  The foundation that we build must start with spiritual and self awareness that is grounded in a strong body presence and awareness.  The work that I now teach is beyond horsemanship. We all want to achieve connection.  Connection is instinctual, it is the underlying pull that helps us live in harmony. Being that horses don't live with us they have kept their connection to their instinct, emotions and intuition. Horses can led us to these point within ourselves. Many people have a desire to know what they are here to do.  I suggest you find out who you are first, out of that space come direction.  Horse are wonderful guides into these places because they demand authenticity.  This is how they measure our power.  I am now offering private sessions and workshops that help others to look within and develop a new relationship with the feminine aspects of power.  Many of the exercises I use are incorporated from the work I have done with my mentor Linda Kohanoc. Her most recent book The Power of the Herd is an excellent manual in emotional intelligence and I recommend it as a valuable read. Although this work is not limited to people who have horse, it is a prerequisite for becoming one with the horse.  The horse wants to follow that which is inwardly strong and outwardly soft.