4 Ways Horses Can Help You Understand Yourself Better
Horses are always looking for a leader.
Like a dance, one person must be the leader, but the person following has an equally important job in creating a seamless, enjoyable interaction. A big part of this is having boundaries.
So, why are boundaries important?
Boundaries go hand in hand with leadership and partnership. Boundaries create harmony and safety.
Horses are cultural creatures and we are invited guests into their herd. We are partners with them, we respect equine culture and behavior and we expect the same respect back. We are not horses, but can interact with them in a symbiotic way and become integrated into the herd as a respected member or visitor.
The predator-prey relationship
Most companion animals are predators and relate to other predators (think dogs). Horses are prey animals, and must overcome many of their instinctual habits and put themselves in a vulnerable position in order to offer their assistance to us. They are prey intending to assist predators (us). This takes much bravery, trust, and generosity. These attributes of horses must be honored and respected.
Why Horses?
Horses are tough and steadfast dance partners. Horses consistently react to stimuli provided by humans. Some of the joys associated with working around horses are that they don’t judge but they constantly assess. Their feedback is honest and instant. Learning to listen to what horses have to say is powerful and can sometimes spur the answer that becomes individual change. By including horses in specially designed educational exercises, equine-assisted facilitators have greatly multiplied the participant’s rate of success to self-discovery.
What is your horse telling you?
Did you know that you can apply what you learn from a horse in your everyday life? Here are a few examples of how your human experience parallels what you learn in the arena:
My horse won’t whoa.
Human parallel: Like when a friend drags you into a situation that you don’t want to be in.
My horse won’t move forward.
Human parallel:The first time you play a game, you don't want to play because you don’t know how to play.
My horse has a soft face and eyes.
Human parallel: When you walk outside and the sun is shining and feels warm on your face.
My horse's ears are up and intently watching.
Human parallel: When you see something interesting to you and want to learn more about it.
When we work with these amazing teachers, they help us to apply the lessons that we learned in the arena to our own lives. What a fun way to continue the personal growth journey, right?
Get our EAL worksheet below for a fun intro activity: see if you can guess what the horse is communicating and follow up with some self-reflection questions.
Warmly,
Janelle
Janelle Duhon
Recovery Resources Executive Director
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