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Hearing Horses
Val Hampson, MA
It always awes me when I hear a
horse. I don't mean the whinnies and nickers, though I love those
sounds, too. I mean the communication a horse is sending me.
This is not something that travels
through the air to my ear. This communication arrives instantly as a
whole unit in my heart, body, mind and spirit. Sometimes it's soft and
subtle; I only stumble upon it if I put my attention towards receiving
it. Other times it is more strident and will repeat itself again and
again, with patience for my caution.
....
Listening to your horse is like listening to anyone; it is most easily
done in an open, receptive, attentive state where you intend to listen
and receive the message. Relax, get centered, and ask your horse what he
or she wants to tell you. You can also ask a specific question. It's
also helpful if the horse is not distracted by other horses, noisy
activities, hunger/ food, etc.
I often experience the message as a
"knowing" in my chest and gut or mind. In a moment, I simply "know" what
the horse is telling me. Sometimes getting this message is a surprise; I
haven't asked a question.
Frequently, the message comes as
pictures that I see in my mind, not with my eyes. They can be symbolic
or more realistic. Often, they are brief snippets with no before and
after context, so the meaning comes from a feeling, other aspects of the
message and from the external physical situation.
I once "saw" a red line along the top
of a Thoroughbred's back and croup who appeared quite fine. The next
day, he was lame and it was determined it was back problems.
The message may sometimes come as a
bodily sensation somewhere in my body, usually where the horse is
experiencing it- a sore back, a heaviness or tiredness, a particular
tense spot, digestive discomfort, a twinge in the knee, hip, wrist, an
itch, etc. I ride a very gassy horse, so this does not always amuse me!
Sometimes you might "hear" what your
horse is telling you in your mind. Or "smell" or "taste" it, though I
think as modern humans we don't access these senses as much as most
animals.
How do we know the validity of these
messages? What if we are projecting our own experience and feelings onto
the horse? What if we're just deluding ourselves? Just like in human to
human communication there is bound to be some interference by the
filters of our minds and bodies. It is important to be aware of our own
feelings, experiences, beliefs and current bodily states so we can
separate the two.
Similarity of experience is not
necessary to listen effectively to your horse. It may be more likely
that you will receive and be aware of messages that resonate with your
own experience. In this case, it is even more important to distinguish
your own experience and issues from the horse's message. How often like
attracts like! How many times have we witnessed people and horses
sharing similar past experiences having a special relationship and
communication?
If you are open, aware, and
nondefensive you can tease apart what is you and what is the horse.
Acknowledge your own experience to yourself, and then feel for
the difference. That is most likely the horse.
Ask for the message to be
repeated or even expanded. Often, your horse will oblige.
To increase your
understanding and accuracy, look for signs in your horse and the
environment that are consistent or inconsistent with the message. This
could be guided by what you observe or know about the horse's condition,
history and behavior, as well as what you know about the horse's herd
and environment.
There was a Perchuron once
who had gone quite lame. The owner thought it was a problem with his
hock. Ben sent me a message which I experienced as a "knowing" that it
was digestive. It helped my sense of accuracy that he was on rich,
spring grass! He did a lot better when his pasture access was
restricted.
Consider what other people
say, too. But if the person is saying something very different from the
horse and what you observe, especially if the person is acting
defensive, I would not discount the message you receive, but would
continue to observe and connect with the horse. Sometimes, people are
not ready to hear some things. I am not going to argue with them. Who am
I to know what needs to happen and is true for them? Especially if
there are multiple truths in this world and truth is a dynamic process!
Sometimes we hear a message
incorrectly for whatever reason. Maybe we are projecting or we
misinterpret what we receive or it gets distorted with something else in
us or from something outside us. Maybe we are receiving a message from
another horse, person, or animal! We might have connected in a different
time- maybe this is from the past or perhaps it is a future possibility.
It helps to stay humble and have what Zen Buddhists call "beginner's
mind", with no expectations.
Do I sometimes ask a question
or request a message with no answer? Yes, sometimes. It may be that I
can't hear the horse because I am not in a good receiving space (like if
I am trying too hard), we're not in tune with each other at that moment,
or maybe the horse just doesn't want to answer.
Remember, though, the more
you practice, the easier it gets.
Hold this communication
sacred. We listen to the horse to understand, to help, to serve - the
horse, people, ourselves and the Earth with all her beings.
Val Hampson, MA,
is EAGALA certified and a writer, horsewoman, educator, energy and qigong practitioner, psychotherapist,
and editor of Equus Spirit. Contact her at
valh@equusspirit.com
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