why horses?

contemplation

What makes a horse a good teacher?    7 innate characteristics…

 1.     The Relationship Gap

In their natural environment, horses are prey animals (hunted by predators).  Their job is to outsmart predators so they can escape them and survive.

In their natural environment, humans are predators (they hunt prey animals. Their job is to outsmart their prey so they can eat them and survive. 

Therefore, a relationship between a horse and a human is against the laws of nature. This creates a dynamic that is a lot like the disconnect we feel when we are trying to relate to others and don’t know how.  We feel frightened, vulnerable, and protective of ourselves. If a student can navigate a relationship with an animal that weighs 1200 lbs, doesn’t speak their language, and sees them as fundamentally untrustworthy, they will have the skills to develop a successful relationship with anyone.

 2.    Horses are “congruent…”       What is congruence?

We are congruent when our inside feeling and intention match what we express on the outside. Horses are virtually always congruent. They cannot pretend. What you see is what you get. You can trust a horse to always tell the truth and give you honest feedback, for better or worse. They are trustworthy learning partners.

 3.    Horses are intuitive…

Because predators (humans) are often incongruent, a horse cannot rely on his/her eyes to tell if they are in danger. Instead, they trust their heightened intuition to “feel” a predator’s intentions. A horse will know what you are feeling…even if you don’t!

 4.    Horses “mirror” our emotions…

Because horses are so intuitive and congruent, they will embody the unexpressed emotions and relationship patterns of those around them and reflect them back like a mirror. The horse will then act out that feeling or pattern with their behavior toward that student or another horse.  Students watch their emotions and patterns acted out in front of them; a visual experience to learn from.

 5.    Horses communicate non-verbally…

Research has demonstrated that less than 10% of all communication is verbal. This leaves more than 90% to be found in other non-verbal forms of communication.

Horses provide a clear example of communication using body language, emotion, energy, and behavior; not words. These non-verbal forms of communication are found beneath the surface in all of our human interactions as well. Horses help students learn and practice all levels of communication.

 6.    Horses are mindful

Horses live entirely in the present, unburdened by guilt or grudges of the past or fear of the future. They respond authentically to the present moment. Horses model the ability to move beyond any one interaction, experience, or trauma by feeling their emotions fully in the moment, and then allowing them to naturally fade.  Horses show students how to be fully present with themselves, and in their relationships.

 7.    Horses live in herds.

Horses live in herds in which their survival depends on their ability to get along, exercise leadership, follow directions, and work together collaboratively. They are remarkable models for how to effectively run a family, group, organization, or community.