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Educating people and horses to be together naturally. Natural Horsemanship, Emotional Courage & Independent Learning. Working Horses. Courses and One-to-one.
Before we meet horses there is a lot we need to know and understand about who they are as horses - as a species different from ours in many ways in terms of perception, thinking and priorities.
Taking the time to observe them with respect and openness you will be astonished just by how much you will be shown and by all the assumptions that are belied.
It is also the first experience of the space of exchange that opens up when approaching the horse with love and neutrality, and of the depth at which the connection will take place. A space that soon becomes a very addictive place to be...!
The Before We Meet programme starts with the observation and research of facts about equine behaviour, habits and needs (a scientific approach known as Ethology, or the study of an animal in the ways and setting natural to its species).
In time it takes the student into step after step of a kind of listening, watching and caring that brings an understanding of a much deeper nature. With the help of simple and structured meditation he or she is now introduced to the next step of scientific study known as Phenomenology, moving subtly from observing to connecting - yet with the same openness and respect. This will be the foundation stone to every gesture they will then have towards their horse.
Of the many possible ways of communicating with the outer world, horses share with us the 6 (yes 6!) basic senses that we know: visual codes, sounds, touch, smells, taste and the field of intuitive exchange.
Think of how you sometimes "pick up" on someone's emotion when they are near you, or when it is very strong - like anger in a room where people have just been arguing: that is the field of intuitive exchange, invisible yet tangible and to which animals are particularly sensitive.
Without the use of words - and therefore, lies - the language of horses is one of very subtle attitudes and codes composed of and entirely based upon a constant mixture of these senses. This is how they relate to their world, how they pick up, process and understand information, what they base their judgment and decisions upon.
And it is where we meet. By becoming clear and congruent in the signals we send to the horse, we can make ourselves understood in their language. And by respecting the codes of conduct and priorities that matter to them, as horses, when interacting, we can make ourselves trusted and respected in their culture.
A path of deep self-understanding and growth that takes us far beyond the realm of horsemanship.
The combined process of learning and healing that takes place on the journey of true communication is held by and shared with the horse: our beautiful guide, teacher, and partner in play.
Exploring the visible and the invisible codes so perfectly mastered by the animal, students of the horse will learn:
- How to create, and hold, the loving space in which to meet and play, in safety and with mutual trust and respect
- The games played by horses to establish leadership and roles and how to win them together
- How to achieve and work only from a place of lightness in themselves and with the horse
- How to develop a sense for all that happens unseen... but holds so much meaning in the relationship
- The patterns of natural and Independent Learning, leading to steady success in set objectives
- Confidence in themselves, in what they do and in how to achieve it
- How to connect with and inhabit all 6 senses in their body, their mind and their spirit for optimal presence, communication and achievement. Games & keys to free their movements, find their balance and be clearer to their horse both on the ground and ridden.
- The process of letting go in the healing dynamic of meeting the horse: A deep self-understanding and self-healing potential, the calm and loving knowledge of oneself.
- The ability to communicate truly, without agenda.
- How to be with themselves and with the other from their Heart and the sheer enjoyment of every moment of it.
As the communication becomes fluid and the feeling of partnership grows, horse language becomes second nature to us. The conscious student then moves on to becoming a conscious teacher to her or his horse, gradually developing:
- Their own sense for leadership and how to become a natural guide or referent leader to the horse
- How to incorporate teaching into the play space from a place of listening and receiving rather than telling and taking
- How to use all that they have learnt about and for themselves to convey the same empowerment to the horse
- How to let the horse be a horse and grow into himself on his journey of partnership with human beings: teaching loving playfulness, freedom of being, healing and growing
- Grounded efficiency in work through the simplicity of gestures and a clear, fair communication
- How to achieve any goal together, with lightness and fluidity
- That there is nothing that they cannot do together, when they are together.
The Step by Step Horsemanship Programme starts on the ground, where the codes of communication and games are established as they are in a herd.
This involves approaching the horse with feel, mutual trust and respect during all every-day life routines, as well as true play on line and at liberty.
It includes, as well as playtime with the horse, exercises of self-awareness and presence, simulation games, theory and observation classes.
There are a number of codes and agreements that need to be established with fluidity on the ground as a prerequisite to any kind of working or leisure discipline of any level. The time it takes to achieve this is unique to each horse & student pair. Playtime on the ground, though, is in itself one of the most exciting and rewarding activities to undertake with a horse, and soon cancels out all the impatience one may have to get on their back to ride.
When the pair - horse & student - is ready, they may move on to anything they wish to do together. Riding is an option of course, using the same feel, communication and relationship as done on the ground.
Sessions include exercises and games aiming at fluid communication, relaxation and freedom of movements, connection and lightness at any time, both in a school or out on a hack. Which means that any 'discipline' or riding style may be adopted, or even several - anything that is done in fun and mutual enjoyment is possible when communication is established in the team. There is no "one way" of riding, only endless possibilities.
Others might prefer to drive rather than ride, work on the land, specialise in ground play for shows at liberty, or even just watch, groom and talk to their horse...
From there on, more refinement is constantly achievable in any direction one may choose. The way of the horse can take you on a journey of ever-growing lightness, beauty and joy... If you will only follow your Heart.
There is a space where all sentient beings need to be held in order to be collected mentally, emotionally and physically, where they can explore, let go and grow healthily into themselves with safety, dignity and inner joy.
This space of conscious, unconditional love is the same for learning, healing, and also communicating. When working from that place with presence and awareness there is no limit to growing into health and happiness, no end to our potential as an individual or as a partner - and this is true for horses as well as for people.
It is that space, where we grow into better human beings, that horses call us to find in their silent and powerful way. And on its foundation are built the knowledge and the skills that turn people into true horsemen and horsewomen.
The Holistic Horsemanship Programme is suitable to little and older people alike, as it adapts to suit each horse-human pair and their unique relationship, objectives and capacities.
The tools of self-awareness and presence, independent learning and heart communication do of course reach out into our daily lives outside Horse World to make children, teenagers and adults alike successful and happy in their learning, their achievements and their relationships.
To begin the journey no particular background or knowledge is required, only a genuine desire to open your heart to your horse. To be effective, however, the programme requires time and dedication to your horse and to your learning outside lessons.
The horse who will be guiding you on this journey will be the teacher. I will merely give you the human tools for understanding and progression to facilitate the process for both of you and hold the loving space during the inevitable times of uncomfortable letting go.
This might be your own horse or one you share or look after: all you need is to have regular and frequent access to your horse guide in order to build a true relationship with her or him and experience a progression in your achievements together.
If you are not already a horse owner, you will need to choose one whom you feel safe working with and who has a healthy background and attitude towards people. For children who will be borrowing or loaning a horse for their sessions, it is particularly important that this horse is safe, sound and happy around children. Behavioural issues such as biting, kicking, bolting, bucking etc belong to remedial horse education, not to little people's pony play!
It is best to start the journey with a mature horse than a younger one, as they will naturally and more fairly take their place as a teacher for you until you are horse-wise enough to, in turn, hold that space for a young horse.
May your horse lead the way to a wisdom that will never leave you.
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Horse and Heart
+44 (0) 1342 824 170
