Horse Behavior: Intelligent Mirroring?
Leigh Shambo, MSW
The dynamics of the
invisible universe permeate every interaction between
horse and human, from merely approaching on foot, to the
most complex ridden partnerships. The most obvious
invisible agreements (or lack thereof!) between horse
and rider have to do with boundaries and goals. As we
spend time with horses, and learn how to be with them,
we become more sensitive. We gain dexterity in the
invisible realm and experience directly that subtle
thoughts, emotions, intentions and intuitions hold as
much importance as our conscious signals to the horse.
The story of Sandra and Breeze illustrates how many
layers of the invisible hide behind the visible.
....Sandra
was seeking my advice for training problems with her
young mare, a ½ Andalusian warmblood who was only 4
years old. In fact, Sandra had known Breeze since the
day she was born. Raised to be trusting and attentive,
Breeze found in Sandra the perfect owner to help her
transition into adult horse life. Sandra had carefully
constructed a solid natural horsemanship foundation with
the mare, then progressed to riding with no significant
difficulties. Breeze had been ridden at all 3 gaits on
the trail and in the arena, and seemed to enjoy the
attention and challenge of work under saddle with her
human partner. Except for two not-so-small things… a
persistent desire to lay down and roll with her saddle
on, and gaits that were so quiet and lacking in
impulsion that she often stumbled. At times, Sandra was
afraid that Breeze might fall, especially while
cantering. Sandra was baffled by Breeze’s constant
desire to lay down while saddled in spite of Sandra’s
capable and well-timed training responses to the
behavior. As far as impulsion, Sandra said Breeze
seemed unresponsive to her signals. I trusted Sandra’s
report as I knew her to be an experienced horsewoman
with good skills on the ground and in the saddle.
When I arrived for
our session, Sandra was already warming up, playing some
games with Breeze on the longe line in the large outdoor
arena. I could see that Breeze was responsive, but
indeed seemed not to know where to put her feet.
Trotting and cantering in a disorganized, strung out
fashion, she had trouble balancing herself, and she
frequently wanted to stop. While standing, she
frequently made gestures to roll and had to be
dissuaded. Sandra was questioning her readiness for
even light work, wondering if another year of maturing
was needed before Breeze would be able to move well.
Sometimes, the best
information comes from the horse themselves, so I
resolved to work with Breeze myself for a few minutes.
I quickly tuned into my body, using a clearing process
that helps me access a state where I can connect with
the horse intuitively. When I turned to Breeze, I knew
that she would let me know if she was ready for the work
now being asked of her. Her alert eyes reflected
eagerness, a demeanor that was at odds with her avoidant
behavior.
Breeze’s liquid brown
eyes observed me as I took the longe line from Sandra.
At my first crisp signal to move, she sprang into a trot
from a standstill. She appeared to be a different
horse! Full and animated, a small cluck pushed her up
into a canter that was impulsive, round and well
balanced. No balance or maturity problems here! I
stopped her and turned thoughtfully back to Sandra. An
intuition was taking shape inside me.
I asked gently,
“Sandra, is there some major area of your life that
needs to move forward but isn’t?” She nodded, looking
pained. I knew she was thinking of her relationship
with the man she had shared her life with for the last
10 years. Sandra had previously confided that they were
having serious problems, and she knew that for her own
health and well-being it needed to end so that she could
move on. She said, “His neediness weighs on me like a
saddle I just can’t shake off,” Sandra said with a nod
in Breeze’s direction. “I know I need to deal with it,
but I’ve just felt I couldn’t move forward.” She
prepared to mount
Breeze,
whispering “Thank you, girl.” Breeze never stumbled
that day. She trotted and cantered with newfound
confidence and joy.
Is it true that
horses intuit the invisible values and core beliefs that
humans are not fully conscious of in themselves? Years
ago I might have thought Breeze to be especially lazy, a
characteristic that was assumed for most horses, and
more force was the usual answer. Today, we are able to
choose both a more enlightened view and more enlightened
methods of relating. The power of a more enlightened
view rests in our recognition of horses’ intelligence
and emotional sophistication.
New models of
training based on the horses natural outlook and
intelligence, are merging with the knowledge we’ve
gained by observing horses as they literally step into
new roles in therapeutic and personal growth venues. As
a trainer and coach, I experience the power of thought
and awareness to transform the horse’s resistance into
willingness. As a therapist, I see the wise and
compassionate generosity of horses offering their
support for human emotional healing (sometimes literally
offering a neck to cry into).
Gaining dexterity
(flexible, coordinated strength) in the invisible realm
requires us to practice
authenticity,
self-awareness, creativity and energetic clarity in
thought and action. The challenge, and the great
opportunity—is that the thoughts, emotions and energies
that horses perceive in us are complex and not wholly
conscious.
Conditioned beliefs
from our past, and the emotional effects of current
issues, are as obvious to the horse as the signals we
intentionally send. Sandra thought she was clearly
sending the signals to “go forward”, but what Breeze
reflected was Sandra’s energetic and emotional reality
of feeling paralyzed in a difficult life decision.
Horses’ responsiveness to all of the
beliefs we hold makes them powerful mirrors and friends,
if we possess the honesty to see clearly.
Sandra’s story also
reveals the positive, but sometimes overwhelming array
of resources facing horse owners today. In this new
age of horsemanship, there are a wealth of training
techniques, clinics and books and videos to teach us new
skills, animal communicators, physical and nutritional
therapies, custom made saddles … how are we to know
which tool to pick up, which thread to follow? In
order to empower ourselves with understanding of our
equine friends, we must rely on our most internal and
private senses – our intuition and self-awareness.
A few months after my
session with Sandra, I ran into her and Breeze at a
stable where I was conducting a session. They had just
finished an exhilarating ride. Breeze looked fit and
bright, and Sandra said she never stumbled any more.
After exchanging horse news, Sandra confided that she
and her partner had amicably agreed to go separate
ways. She had met someone that she liked a lot and was
now dating. Her new beau supported her spiritual growth
and values, as she was learning to support them in
herself.
Author
Leigh Shambo,
MSW is a
clinical therapist and educator whose
first career was horse training and instruction. Leigh
is widely recognized for her articulation of the
horse-human bond and its application in therapeutic and
learning programs. She is the founder and lead
therapist for Human-Equine Alliances for Learning, a
non-profit charitable organization that supports
equine-assisted services and programs for healing,
personal growth and riding/training. Her website is
www.humanequinealliance.org.
More information and educational opportunities are also
available through Epona Equestrian Services,
www.taoofequus.com
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