Sir Winston Churchill once said,
“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” This quotation speaks volumes to anyone who works with horses.
Horses are always honest and present and if we can manage to quiet our minds, we will see in them what is inside of us. They see the false identities we wear and they choose to love us anyway. This is the foundation of how I perceive how horses can heal humans of their past traumas.
When we show up as our authentic selves, horses follow that honesty. They embrace the vulnerability we present them with and they work accordingly with us. Horses are prey animals and in response to that, they can feel everything, including the vibrational frequency in which our emotions are presented.
If we pretend that all is well, they will call our bluff and this is what survivors need, honesty. They need to be able to bring their pain and fears to the surface without judgment, sit with those emotions, then release that pain, and allow the healing to follow. Depending on your needs and preference this can all be done by the guidance of a therapist or it can be done in the up and coming world of equine-facilitated therapy or if you are an experienced horsewoman or man, this can be done by yourself and with your own horses.
I have experienced this immaculate healing power that horses embrace time and time again. Personally, I’m not much of a verbal communicator when it comes to the traumas I have faced so I prefer to work with my horses in a way where no verbal communication is needed. Researches have said that 80% of our learning is non-verbal. Too often we think that the only way to communicate is through our voice. Although horses can and do respond to verbal requests they most often challenge us to communicate through our emotional vibrations.
According to The Scale of Consciousness, the absolute rock bottom emotions one can feel is pain, suffering, and depression which result in an extremely low vibration. On the opposite side of the scale, the highest vibrations come from feelings of joy, peace, and enlightenment. Horses reciprocate these vibrations and this is how they can call our bluff and allowing the healing to begin. Horses are powerful animals that handle their power in a way that is not predatory which creates this sacred space for healing.
I have witnessed horses being presented with the emotions of despair and anger and in turn, that is what they mirrored by allowing themselves to be distant (unable to catch), bite other horses, and act dangerously. I have also witnessed horses radiate the emotions of total joy and happiness and allowing them to rest their head on a total stranger, with their eyes closed and in complete surrender.
The feeling of ultimate safety is what these large prey animals and vulnerable humans have in common. Together this can be accomplished by always presenting yourself to them as your authentic self, no matter how battered or bruised your soul may be. Horses will always remain honest and present to allow the healing the flow.
Please drop a comment below or reach out to me on my personal Instagram @unbridledmama if this article has resonated with you. I would love to hear!
