"Rather than a training technique, what I teach is a new way of being with one's self, and with the horses we love"

The concept behind EquiSpiritus ("breath of the horse") is remarkably simple. It is inspired by the connectedness humans have with all living creatures. When we relate with animals, honoring them in their wisdom and oneness with us, we are relying on our spirit rather than our ego to guide us. The "EquiSpiritus Way" is an intuitive process by which human and horse connect in the "now." It honors the language of the horse and seeks to create a more symbiotic connection between horses and their humans. It requires us to understand the highly sensitive and deeply intuitive nature of the horse, a "prey" herd animal who's very survival depends on their ability to be fully "present" at all times and sensitive to the energy of all living creatures, humans and predators alike.

This conscious connection teaches us that it is possible to live fully in the "now" as horses do, quietly creating a lasting and respectful relationship with an animal that outweighs us ten-fold! The only true request horses have for humans, is that we be completely congruent. That is, our emotional (inner) life must match the physical self we show them. A human who is smiling on the outside and fearful or sad on the inside is confusing to a horse, who reads all emotion simply as "energy".

Fortunately for humans, horses do not assign "good" or "bad" to particular emotions. To them, it is all energy or, "it is what it is." Authentically expressed and released, emotions like grief or joy will be met with a horse's sigh, a yawn or the offering of a neck for the human to cry into. Now that's relationship! In contrast, when we are less than completely congruent, horses will reflect back to us their displeasure by disengaging or simply use their "flight" response to move away from what is confusing and in their eyes, threatening to their safety.

Traditional horsemanship, by contrast, has its roots in age-old dominance and control by the "thinking" human over the powerful, "erratic," "headstrong beast." Horses were, and still are in many cases, trained by the human ego for the purpose of exalting the human ego. Horsemanship of days gone by was based in the belief that animals should be bent to our will, without acknowledging the oneness of all creatures on the planet and certainly never guided by the notion that a horse possesses a sensitive heart and soul.  

This new way of being and living with horses becomes a conscious choice that involves all the senses--mind, body and spirit. The human must have the willingness to explore their own consciousness and inner landscape. Horses are our mirror. In them, we find a perfect reflection of our joy, our sorrows and our hopes and dreams. Healing for the human is a natural outgrowth of this Divine connection between horse and woman.

When we interact with horses through a more heart-based style of leadership, we are guided by our inner-wisdom held deep within the body. We remain "grounded" and present in the moment as we actively engage with a horse in any number of relationship-building games and activities. We create physical safety and respectful boundaries as we explore the language of the horse. The horse then, becomes our willing partner and always reflects back to us our emotional state of being and authentic sense of self.

And of course, it is only from this authentic place that all inspiration and passion flows...

Read more at:

http://horsewisdomforwomen.blogspot.com/

 The Breath of the Horse: Nature, Presence and Partnership Blog