Horses have a way of touching the human heart that is unique to their species. Because of their strength mixed with gentleness and centuries of connection to humanity, we have woven the tapestry of civilization together with them.
A horse is massive and fragile; steady and quick moving; brave and sensitive. They bring so many emotions and responses to a relationship with us and are always totally honest! When we find our “heart horse”, the level of trust becomes more precious than any jewel. To be trusted by a horse means that we are clear, honest and trustworthy because they see us through eyes of pure perception. We cannot hide our true selves from an equine.
It is difficult to describe properly, that sense of connection that is often instant and deeply personal. We aim to find it with our horses in the stable and under saddle. We hold that hope in our hearts to find it with another human. It is relatively easy to enter into with our dogs! To cultivate that bonded horsemanship experience is the only way to find one’s heart horse.
It is always a profound honor to find yourself trusted by an animal. Even more so than by another human because the animals are not swayed by our words or actions; they see our hearts clearly.
That space we can find with a horse where he feels or reads our thoughts and is responding to them effortlessly cannot be forced. To hug a horse is beyond satisfying; to be hugged by a horse is intoxicating. There are training systems that distance the human from the horse – he must “respect our space”, respect our boundaries… and some systems aggressively create a pocket of charged disapproval of any attempt at connection. Horses are smart. They figure us out. I would rather have my horse feel comfortable near me and back off if I tell him to do so rather than fear repercussions of a misstep.
I think that we need to also know that sometimes, a horse may not resonate with us personally. I have known students with horses whose personalities were mismatched but who found perfect new partners for their equines and themselves. There is nothing wrong with that. We don’t all fall in love with the same person, drive the same car, eat the same cupcakes – we can take our time finding an equine partner that fits us as we fit him or her. It is about the relationship, not about the breed, color, length of tail or size of the head.
When you feel that spark of recognition, of rapport and delight with another being, open yourself up to it and explore what possibilities exist for the pairing. I am able to adore all of the horses here, but I have a deeply personal, uncanny knowing and sweet rapport with one especially and I won’t say who it is. I have been blessed to have had several “heart horses” in my life.
It is amazing that we can love so clearly when we step away from the constraints others attempt to place upon us. Even in competition or during instruction, don’t let your wise knowledge of your own horse become muddied by the opinions of others. It is so much fun to love and be loved! And that has to be based upon the very personal rapport.
Our philosophy at Dharmahorse is based upon loving all horses in general and the Sanctuary horses in particular. We can expand that into educational outreach, to help people better care for and understand their horses; in turn, helping the horses to live better lives. We will never be able to save all horses in need. But, if we can offer the ideas, methods and techniques we use to benefit horses in our care, we might just advance the concept of loving horses enough to cherish them with good care and handling. Maybe Heart Horses are not discovered; maybe they are cultivated through kindness. Perhaps, the horse standing in someone’s backyard just needs the chance to know compassion so he can safely return the love.
Stablewomen 