5 Things a Horse Can Reveal About You in Under Five Minutes
by Judy Askins, Equus Elemental™
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Horses are remarkable teachers because they have an honest, accurate, and uncanny ability to size people up instantly. Because horses are prey animals, their very survival depends on their ability to detect and evaluate a predator’s state of being. When we interact with horses, their response to us is immediate, truthful, and non-judgmental. They are mirrors reflecting back to us the state of our energy and body language.
So, what can a horse tell about you in under five minutes?
- Are you a good leader?
- Are you honest?
- Are you a good communicator?
- Are you consistent?
- Are you relaxed?
1. Leadership. Establishing leadership in a herd comes naturally to horses. The herd’s safety depends upon it. If you do not exhibit good leadership qualities that the horse can identify, the horse will assume the leadership role out of necessity. But if you are a true leader, the horse will want to follow you and take direction from you out of trust and respect. Leading means allowing the horse to make mistakes, provided we also allow him the opportunity to learn from them. But the key in those moments is not to be judgmental about his choices; respectfully encourage and allow the horse to do the desirable thing. Imagine the freedom, confidence and curiosity you’d develop if every time you attempted something, you were supported and encouraged to keep trying, rather than criticized. Good leaders get amazing results, not only from their horses, but also from their spouses, children, family members, co-workers, and everyone they come in contact with.
2. Honesty. “Say what you mean; mean what you say.” We must first be clear with ourselves and have a plan before we can clearly communicate our intention to the horse or to others in our lives. Honesty is how you develop trust in relationships. So, if you do not follow through and consistently mean what you say, your horse will think you are a liar. Horses will reflect your level of honesty in a number of ways, such as being hesitant, non-responsive or by trying to dominate you in your interactions. Being honest builds the trust necessary to have deep and meaningful relationships and interactions in our lives.
3. Communication. Good communication is a two way street. It is just as important to convey our thoughts and ideas clearly to the horse, as it is to be a good listener to what they are communicating. Most horses are use to being told what to do and how to do it. Imagine if that were the only way you were treated. Listening to your horse or to those in your life does not mean letting them “have their way.” But unless you understand their feedback, you will not be able to determine the proper response to help them. Another essential element in good communication is listening without judgment. If you are asking the horse to do something and the horse tries, even if it is not the desired result, do not judge him for that. Remember that curiosity and willingness shows an absence of fear. These skills lead to deeper levels of understanding in all areas of your life including family, friends, professionally and in the world as a whole.
4. Consistency. This is a commitment to follow through until you are effective each and every time. Being inconsistent is a sure way to break down the trust in your relationships. How can I establish a relationship or a bond with you when I never know how you’ll respond? Consistency is also an important safety factor. A pushy horse that attempts to dominate you, or is fearful and moves into your personal space without being invited, is an indication that you need to establish safe and healthy boundaries. Learning to be consistent when expressing what you want leads to increased personal clarity and better results in all areas of your life.
5. Relaxation. Would you like to spend more time relaxed in the present moment and still feel connectedness to your physical surroundings and the people with whom you have relationships? Horses live this way all the time and we can learn by their example. One of the ways a horse can tell if you are relaxed is by your breathing. Horses also observe and assess the amount of tension you are holding throughout your entire body. If you are tense and worried, the horse will reflect that by perhaps pacing or the inability to stand still. In many cases, when people find themselves getting mad or frustrated, if they stop, take a deep breath and relax, their horse will do the same almost immediately – as if they are saying: “Thanks, I needed that, and so did you!”
The unique gift the horse brings is their subtle and constant ability to reflect life changing information back to us so that we can improve ourselves by identifying our feelings, adjusting our thoughts, behaviors, and responses. If you are looking for a powerful and fun experience that will enhance your awareness of self and all of your relationships, then working with the horse as a teacher may be for you.
About Equus Elemental™
Equus Elemental™ brings over 15 years of horse training and horsemanship expertise together with more than 20 years of combined personal growth and teaching experience to offer a unique equine accelerated learning process. We meld these fundamentals with a keen understanding of equine communication, and the belief that horses are innate spiritual teachers.
For more information, please visit our website at www.equuselemental.com.
To join the Equus Elemental™ mailing list and receive occasional updates, click here.
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