Harmony, trust and being in the moment
Feb 2nd, 2010 by Carolyn
When I look back on my experience with the wild horses, what it meant to me then and what it means to me now, I realize I have never lost sight of the importance of horses and the natural environment.
Horses have impacted our lives throughout history, and nature promotes their well-being through the harmony of diversity. I appreciate life and wait to be in harmony with my environment before I act. To know horses as deeply as I know them comes from my understanding of harmony. Harmony is not made, it is found. Harmony in nature is the most trusted element in life and is the basis of the success I share with horses.
Humans honor intelligence. We spend time thinking. Horses honor instinct. They spend time being in the moment.
Working with horses is one way people can learn to be here now and get in touch with their instincts. We normally think of instincts as base but I think of instinct as being plugged into the universal connection… and when you are, you do not make mistakes!
Instinct is just as deep and rich as intelligence. Animals know what time it is. They do not run around with wrist watches. More and more, people are depending on machines to tell them what is going on in the world. Animals FEEL it.
Horses also have a natural understanding of when individual rights supersede the rights of the community and when community rights supersede the rights of the individual. That is something about which human beings could use more clarity.
Horses have feelings of guilt. It is what makes them trainable. If a horse bites you and by your response you show him that you did not deserve to be bitten, he will feel bad. Horses bite to find out what’s happening inside and the situation and your response shows them. So, working with horses will teach you what is inside yourself
When I began to share my Method, it was because of my love for horses and my love for empowering people to work with their horses in a way that builds enthusiasm and self-worth. But as you can see there is much more to this experience than that. There is a give and take of information that weaves a tapestry of understanding and a foundation of trust.
When we learn to be in the moment with a horse, we are not only honoring his spirit and gift we are giving ourselves the opportunity to connect with a power beyond ourselves. It is like letting go and watching a mystery unfold before you. My Method encourages you to make this commitment to yourself and your horse and build a harmonic relationship of trust that honors the intelligence and instinct of both horse and human.
Carolyn
Related posts:
February 9th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Hi Carolyn
I am learning, enjoying and still interested in reading your instructions. Hope everything is well with you. I am in the process of building a small barn for Falki. Instead of boarding him, I will bring him home where he belongs so I can take care of him and we can be together sharing time and space.
Betsy Sonnenberg
October 2009 student
February 7th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Carolyn-
What an important point you make about how horses help people to get in touch with their instincts! It is so important to feel and listen to what our gut tells us, it is very helpful around horses and in life in general
Thanks,
Lori
February 5th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Thanks Carolyn, an inspirational post and good timing for me.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Great post, Carolyn. Thanks! With all the rains recently the pastures have become really wet, so I closed the gate out to the main road and let the horses out of their pastures, out of the sodden fields, to wander the whole property as they wish… they feel much more like horses now, somehow. The three older rescues, I think, have never felt so free… and their confidence and trust seems to be expanding too, as, I guess, old memories give up to new ways of being and feeling… I think I’ll keep it this way for them much more often than just during wet weather…
Stuart
February 4th, 2010 at 11:09 am
Joanna posted this:
Thank you for another inspirational post. Your sentiments resonate deeply; all the seasons hold something new to get me excited, a hooting owl in winter for example (I sometimes share territory by moonlight.
I can immagine that for sure, we have been in the Dartmoor last summer, it is a beautyfull place. (even so the Exmoor, we had visit all the moors(
So we have sit the same as you in the moonlight between the pony´s.
February 4th, 2010 at 7:43 am
a very wonderful post.. it gives a very good insight about horses.. do you think that horses are more beautiful to be watched when they are free rather than when they are not?
February 4th, 2010 at 7:38 am
Dear Carolyn,
Thank you for another inspirational post. Your sentiments resonate deeply; all the seasons hold something new to get me excited, a hooting owl in winter for example (I sometimes share territory by moonlight, and no, I don’t get out that much!!!). The changes have an effect on the herd in myriad ways and I often find myself mirroring the mood and running and jumping with them when a storm is brewing or lying down in the sun, often in a circle! Sharing your vision of harmonic horse human relations we have recently opened the Natural Equestrian Centre on Dartmoor; a place of contemplation and connection, just minutes away from the herds of feral, native ponies. It would be wonderful to link with certified trainers in your method in the UK and Europe, and students of your method, to discuss the possibility of hosting workshops at the centre.
http://naturalequestriancentre.com/
Joanna
February 4th, 2010 at 4:55 am
Dear Carolyn,
)
This post summes up why I love your system and wish to learn more and more from you.
I am with Christian on this: Its going to hang in the stable so I can see it all the time. Along with the no-fault insurrance for my horses.
Sometimes its easy to get caught up in daily life and this post will bring me ‘back to my senses’ and remind me of whats important.
All the best
Tonnya
PS a little funny story. I was baking vanilla muffins but forgot them because I was watching one of Stinas beautiful videos.
Nevermind ! Muffins arent that good
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:59 am
Carolyn, another wonderful post. I too listen more to my horses now. It is very icy out at the moment and I now wear ice cleats so I have no problems with the footing. But now when I bring my horses up I give them plenty of lead rope and let them decide the safest route to take. I see a pleasant “thank you for listening to me” look on their faces and that makes me very happy:)