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Have you hear about it? Are you Game? Poetry in Motion
Add some neigh to your day!
Always wanted to know?
Read all items here >>101 things to do with a horse
Inspiration |
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Why Horses?
"A dog may be a man's best friend," but our history and path to our civilization was written by the horse. An overstatement? Perhaps not.
Look back at our struggle for freedom, Try if you might it is difficult to think of any human activity untouched by the powers of the horse. In an age of trucks, trains and various transport options it is hard to imagine that a team of draft horses once pulled as much as some locomotives. The term horsepower, coined by engineer James Watt in 1782 to measure the pulling power of an engine, shows just how much respect these animal teams earned. Still, they proved no match for modern engines when one horsepower engine showed the pulling power of 50% more weight in a single day than one horse. The horse load pulling power era was over. However as Schumacher, Mark Skaife or Valentino Rossi would agree: no high horsepower motor has anywhere near the personality, majesty or historical importance of a real horse. The new horse entertainment, economic and emotional pulling power era had just begun! Without this original horse power where would we be? Trousers might not have become fashionable. The violin might not exist. The Aztecs might have thrived another few centuries. The Industrial Revolution might have ended before its time. No one would get off their high horse nor be the dark horse candidate in a political race! Equus: the family of animals that goes from Ass to Zebra, but is mostly Horses. Is there any other animal that has captured our imagination like the horse has? The cave drawings of thousands of years ago through to the countless renderings in paint, clay, ink, song and film would suggest not. History is quite provocative in showing the ways in which humans and horses became "powerfully linked". Links from as slight as fashions in clothing, yes trousers, to the fate of empires, "Next to God," Cortés is quoted as saying about the conquest of Mexico, " we owed our victory to the horses".
Look at the evolution of the arts . The 13th and 14th century Mongols held their immense empire together with the aid of the horse and used tail hair to create the violin bow. Look at the specific images; George Stubbs' Whistlejacket, Picassos immortalizing of horse inspired hair fashion in his "Girl with a Pony Tail" or his insightful identification of what real horsemanship is all about in "Boy leading horse." Notice there is no lead rope between them and the horse is next to, not behind, the boy. Or what of other artistic endeavors; plays like Equus, Hollywood westerns or vintage T.V. comedies like Mister Ed. Horses with their own passports, their own television shows - four legged celebrities indeed! Horses have generally been imagined not as alien beings, but as reflections of ourselves. Almost never demonic; they represent the best of humanity's animal nature.
Look at the creation of mythology. Ancient Greeks were so surprised by the first sight of warriors on horseback they imagined they were one and the same animal, born is thus - The Centaur. Does such mythology touch on a deeper truth: The connection with the horse is so strong; we are all of us Centaurs! Or as in the British Airborne forces - they are as winged as the mighty Pegasus.
Look at the ultimate poetry in motion . Even if you're more for a mechanical horse, a motorbike or car, you can't help but admire the athletic perfection of this animal's sleek lines, powerhouse behind and elegant front end - a design of true engineering perfection. The rippling muscles as it runs, leaps, glides across the earth, mane flying, hooves airborne in perfect unity - poetry in motion. Perhaps it's the stirring of ancestral memories as we watch these graceful athletes - such sights stir something deep inside us. Is it the history of stories and adventures, campfire stories, life on the open plains or the media and corporate capture of the horse as symbols of power and freedom? Remind me again which image Ferrari use as their logo? Look at the potential to fall in love with exercise! Any rider can tell you the great and varied benefits of riding. Be it english, western, bareback, for competition or just plain fun. The oodles of reasons to grab your boots, put on your long pants, a good bra if you need one, and get "a leg up". They can go on for hours about daredevil adventures, their horse and its personality, the fun they've had, the great people they've met and how much they've learnt about themselves - to their ultimate surprise! Listen closely as they tell you of horse riding being sweat and yes some tears, both happy and sad. Horse riding is all that and more - its exercise and adventure in one. Rain, hail or shine you wont hear any excuses not to go exercise when the carrot on the end of that stick is a horse, and they're always happy to see you.
Look at the course of technology and the horses influence. Whilst the Industrial Revolution displaced horse power with horsepower it was not before horses shared the burden with machines, horse drawn steam powered fire trucks an example. The horse's connection with work and warfare is a long and powerful one - a lasting relationship with all the highs and lows of a human love affair. Horse's have cleared forests, plowed land, herded cattle and driven machines. From the moment they were first used in 1500 B.C. to pull chariots into battle, until their valedictory cavalry campaigns in the Second World War, horses have been joined up in human warfare. Whilst the horse in war has almost disappeared the horse remains powerfully connected to our current i-world. From working on the farm to the leisurely trail ride, the horse and human interactions are rooted in cavalry skills and classical horsemanship of days gone by. The riding and training skills of today were once those of the military on horses in history.
Look at the horse-human connection. A most mysterious animal. Eyes that hold an all knowing, almost sad, wisdom. The real meaning one can only guess at. As a herd animal they need to live around other animals, they bond easily. In the absence of their own kind horses bond with dogs, sheep and even people. They get lonely and need comfort of other living creatures to be happy. This nature holds a great attraction for humans as we to love to be needed. Humans typically prefer animals that can give, as well as receive, affection. Hence why in some countries the horse lives happily in the paddock, cared for with abundant food, shelter and herd members but never ridden or used as a beast of burden. More than just paddock ornaments their simple presence in that field for their owners and neighbours helps keeps the humans mental health in balance. Such is the power of the horse. Many museums and scientific displays the world over have attempted to portray just how crucial a role the horse has played in our lives - past, present and future. The contribution of the horse is remembered daily through the remnants of horse inspired vocabulary, persistence of sports like polo and ceremonies using the horse to display power and grace. Try if you might it is difficult to think of any human activity untouched by the powers of the horse. But the horse, of course, is equally unthinkable without the human. The impact of the horse is apparent in the earliest surviving evidence of humans. The extraordinary Lascaux cave paintings of Southern Europe, about 16,000 years old, show a horse looking very like the Przewalski wild horse of Central Asia, with its pale stomach and dark mane.
Recent archaeological research in northern Kazakhstan, suggests that the Botai people of Central Asia were among the first to domesticate horses. In domestication, horses were remade into human companions and human tools, but physiologically they haven't changed much- something that cannot be said of the boar in its transformation into a domesticated pig, or the wolf into a domesticated dog. Horses have been great partners, herd animals that can show intense loyalties. Easily trained and relatively free from territorial viciousness of related species, like zebras it is appropriate that the French, Spanish and English words for gentleman, chevalier, caballero and cavalier - also mean horseman. Could interaction between humans and any other animal bear this sort of examination and question of that animal's power? Dogs may inspire more intense and complex friendships, but horses have been almost more than companions; they our partners in agriculture, war, industry, commerce and the essence of what dreams are made of - our unlimited imaginations! 
 
This strong but timid creature
I saw a child that couldn’t walk, sit on a horse, laugh and talk. Why Horses – How can these hairy four leggeds teach us Life Lessons? Horses are an intensely interesting subject. Of which actual riding is only a very very small part. Consider how long it has been since horses were first depicted in cave paintings, art and literature. They permeate even the simplest of every day sayings, many of which pertain specifically to horse wisdom, and yet most people using such sayings have no idea that their source lies in the horse. Its source is the horse as much today, as it was 23,000 years ago when those first cave paintings of horses were discovered. Like the challenges experienced through these past 23,000 years the short version of Why Horses is that charting safe and happy passage through life is often a lot more challenging than we thought it would be. Ah the joys of childhood imaginings, years of dreaming and creating what we imagine for us will be real one day. To help teach us life lessons who better than from an animal that if we don't get the lessons right, the consequences can be fatal! It's the ultimate "are you listening, did you get that?" experience! The horse represents a variety of emotions, including: status, wealth, victory, lifestyle, adrenaline, fear, grief, pain, spirit of adventure and even mental and physical health. Perhaps this is where their real horsepower lies? Horses don't lie. They are not as complicated as humans. Their language is millions of years older than ours, it is much simpler than ours yet the strength of how they are instinctively hard wired has yielded a brilliant example of survival through many and varied countries, terrains and evolutionary change. Impressed with their teaching qualifications yet? Their versatility and courage to continue to adapt, forgive and build new relationships with different people and changed circumstance is but one part of their ongoing demonstration of how much they have to teach us. Youth should certainly learn from the horse - life lessons. Adults should allow the horse to reconnect them. Reconnect to themselves firstly, then to others. The horse's potential to teach is limited only by the human's courage to learn. Horses take you outside yourself. Burst the bubble of your self importance. Horses don't discriminate; they are beneficial to humans regardless of your age, culture, color, height, weight, intellect, confidence or interest in these animals that are designed to be dangerous at both ends and extremely sensitive in the middle. People are different from horses . Dah, pretty obvious you think, yes but it is the significance of these differences that are what provides the fundamental answer to the question of Why Horses. And ………… sadly the reality is for many many riders they still, after years and years of working with horses, they don't get it - they don't get these differences. Hence whilst those people will still profess to the positive contribution horses have made to their lives, and the depletion of their bank balance, they don't really get to ever experience the real depth possible nor capture the magnitude of the Why Horses. That's a big loss, major shame for them. Now the differences aren't limited to those we see on the outside, focus on the dramatic differences in the scope and limitations of the equine and human senses. These are the DIFFERENCES which define how people and horses perceive the world, how they see 'their world' Vs how we see it. Get ready for shock #1 - How you perceive the world is not how it is perceived by different species. Humans Vs horse for example process the life, the information around them through their senses in extremely differently ways. The senses screen some pieces of information, and let others through. Depending on what species you are affects what you let through and what you react to - NOW! Remember that thing horses do instinctively called shying - where they become the veritable champion galloper out of the starting blocks, leaping from 0-60km in 3 seconds. And people willingly get on this super athlete without knowing how to speak its language - what were they aiming for? To get a gold medal in the lawn dart Olympics? Dah! What were they thinking? Hmm, remind me again which species is supposed to be the more intelligent one? Remember the conversation between Shrek and Donkey - "Shrek you've got layers!" Horses like humans also have layers, hard wired instincts and behaviours that really help the horse and yourself to step up to that higher, more powerful and rewarding freedom that comes with having the courage to 'let go' and step right into the face of getting to really truly understand another of life's amazing creatures. In this case Equus Caballus to be specific - the horse.
Now you have to appreciate that something that's been on this earth millions of years longer than us is perhaps going to be much more behaviorally
complex than us. Not necessarily so. There aren't the varieties of horse personalities that there are humans. Perhaps that's why they don't need to
spend the billions world wide on therapists! Their hard wiring survival instincts help them to 'suck it up', cope with another herd members little nuances and challenge for a higher position in the herd hierarchy and just build that bridge and get over it - quickly. No festering, no smoldering, no tantrums or hissy fits - just live with it, and live with it happily. That's how they have survived and evolved for many more millions of years than us! If courageous enough to be open to the language and learning of Equus and move from the perfunctory routines of how to care for a horse, groom and ride one to the learning and connection to the differences in the species and how those differences that the person can respect and support whilst being totally realistic that this is an animal that is genetically designed and instinctively sensorarily wired to be dangerous at both ends and extremely sensitive in the middle, a prey animal, and we the predator with eyes in the front on two legs not four with a brain that's suppose to have a higher functioning capacity must give up how we perceive our world and to get to a higher level of personal development than possible via any other another coach/mentor then really harness that horsepower and unleash a human other animal, two species working in partnership connection, that teaches freedom through relationships and non predatory power. WHY HORSES is we also get to learn another language - how cool is that? Not a variation on the same theme of our spoken language, whether it be Chinese, French, Italian, Australian - mate, g'day, howdy, but rather a non verbal language - body language taught to us by the flightiest animal on earth. Surely to 'talk' to someone in their own language is the ideal, yet few horse people ever get to step out of their human perceptions of the world and be truly available to the language and learning of Equus. To do so is to communicate with horses beyond the limits of our own language - outside our sensory boundaries - we connect into and thus borrow the horse's strength and powers.
To learn 'Equus', a kinesthetic language when mounted or a visual language when interacting from the ground, a major hurdle for the human is to firstly appreciate they must become the horse's pupil and not insist on being his teacher. Ah, don't underestimate how difficult overcoming this hurdle is. It requires humility and courage, which don't come easily to many of us - hmm, why is that so? To reinforce how difficult this hurdle is to overcome the simple reality that in the twenty three centuries since Xenophon, our earliest author of horsemanship in 300BC, only a few people world wide have observed horses astutely enough to become really fluent in the horses language, the language of Equus. When watching these 'horse whisperers' working with horses many people consider they achieve the 'impossible' with the horse. However for those people brave enough and humble enough to be open to the language and learning of Equus it's not impossible, it's the new human 'normal'. They've learnt how to speak Equus, so to them and the horse it's 'normal'. Those who see it as incredible or impossible still haven't learnt the language, or even enough of it, to see the world through an extended sensory range. More time and courage is required for them. Let me help with some examples of what I mean by sensory differences and the power possible if we allow the horse to be our extra eyes and ears, be the wings beneath us as we ride, shy with such speed, 0-60km in 3 seconds which whilst not quite a Ferrari uptake it certainly provides us with feedback to helps us not be slow learners to being better aware of what their body has detected as a potentially dangerous thing which perhaps we should flee from. Whilst having close encounters with the dirt, again and again, isn't an ideal teaching approach it certainly helps to teach the rider that they're continuing to miss the horses signals, they're not connecting enough to get the horses feedback that something isn't right. In the absence of the human doing anything - the horse will. Hence the rider can receive yet another dirt dump to help them 'get it'. Where was Dr Phil to help when you needed him? As far as the rider is concerned the horse may not be doing the right thing. But as far as the horse is concerned he always is, for self-preservation is his inevitable motivation, subtitle here being SURVIVAL. Remember horses don't lie. They operate in what is real to them - they sense, they decide, they react. They will listen to you before they flee, but if you have nothing to say or they disagree with what you have said, suggested, then they'll flight you for their right to flee - hence welcome to the world of bucking, rearing, kicking, biting…………all those escape 'let me get out of here' behaviours in their flight repertoire. Experienced any of them? Not necessarily their fault - you weren't listening!
To help appreciate what I mean here consider for instance how different our perceived world would be if we had the same sensory ranges and inputs as some bats and snakes - they can't depend as we do on hearing and vision. Some bats emit high frequency sounds as they fly, inaudible to our human ear. They make sense of the echoes that come back from objects in the area and thus the bat can know where they are and can not crash into each other and locate prey, aka dinner! Take snakes, some have organs which are tremendously sensitive to heat on the sides of their heads, allowing them to detect temperature changes of as low as half a degree Celsius (1 degree Fahrenheit). By moving their head side to side they can register subtle temperature changes and pick up the precise position of their prey before they ……………. strike. In your riding experience one of the bonuses the sharing of horses power provides you with as you ride is the reality that yes, you do have a higher functioning brain, but with that comes the requirement to be responsible for the decision making during critical moments - even if your body just wants to scream or be tense. Come for a ride with me - you on a normally very reliable horse, you're not experienced yet, we're riding along a country trail with other riders. Oh ek!Your horse shies, that snap of a branch in the tree is worth fleeing from at a speed that would make Phar Lap proud. You stay on for the first bit when he leaps to the left away from the sound but then explodes into full gallop. You've never galloped a horse before! What you haven't realized is that when your body responded to that first expression of your horses desire to leap left away from the sound that your leg muscles when very tight, your anal sphincter shut and your butt muscles contracted so tightly all that combined to squeeze your horses sides - oh no, your own emotional response, your fear, has given your horse a major mixed message - you've told him "yeah, go for it, leg on, let's go fast". So he thought you agreed with him that fleeing, quickly, NOW, was the best thing to do in response to that noise that was a possible predator! What were you thinking? Meanwhile as you gallop you're getting light headed - Dah! Guess who's forgotten to breath! How can holding your breath and thinking additionally stressful things like "oh no, we're going so fast, I'm going to fall off, I don't want to die, how can I stop him, I can't do this, someone please help". Welcome to the ultimate teacher - this is the great gem part. No one else can fix this situation for you. It is just you and your horse out across the country - the other riders helped talk to their horses and keep them calm and confident enough not to flee. Some had to turn their horse in a small circle - they knew that horses instinctively need to flee, they don't need to run away necessarily, just move their legs and feel that they are running - so a circle is a brilliant solution for the horse and for you - oops, you must have missed that lesson in how to speak horse! It is only you who can fix this situation, and your horse. Sadly when you started to flee your horse made that decision in the absence of you making any other leadership decision - so they took over the decision making for both of you. Again - your fault this happened as you didn't help them feel confident to not flee. You didn't respond to their signals - ear pointing towards the sound, body going tense, they stopped and took up that whole Madam Tussaudes waxed statue posture, muscles as solid and poised like a tiger ready to pounce stance. Yet you did nothing - you didn't start to turn them in a circle, didn't make sure your posture stayed relaxed, no mixed messages of tension telling them to run like the wind, you didn't open your mouth and speak to them - telling them in your deep tone, calm voice "steady, steady". Grr, they were all alone, how frightened they must have felt. You were just an annoying passenger for them. Not helping make things better at all. At this point it doesn't matter if you are 6, 16, 26, 46 or 76. No superman is going to fly down and pick you up and place you safely on the ground and stop the horse. YOU have to do it.Remember to breath; speak to your horse 'steady' in calm voice, gently pull back on the reins, secure your seat but with a relaxed leg - think polish your saddle with your butt - no Air Jordan under your butt, no daylight to be seen, keep your butt in the saddle, it's safer there, so are you. They don't want to die, they're not going to run off a cliff or smack into a tree - but you remember to duck your head down if they go under some branches, keep steering them away from such things, but if you forget how to steer - at least remember to duck! They've been able to run fast for 55 million years, you can do this. This is the gem part- you taking responsibly for your situation, and helping to keep your hairy four legged mate safe and feeling more confident with you that next time they won't flee, they'll have confidence in what you say and do to help them stay, be calm and work through that scary branch falling from the tree noise. You must control your emotions, change that attitude from "oh shit" to "wow, feel the wind across my face, hear the rhythm of horses breathing - connect to this, this is incredible, wonderful." Yes you didn't choose this to happen but it is and it's pretty amazing and this accepting attitude helps you remember to breath and take action - not be a victim of your own failure to protect yourself, or your horse. Talking to your horse helps ensure you are breathing. Plus when you talk to your horse you can hear your voice - is it a calm sound or high pitched shrill? Turn them into a circle, they start to slow down. They don't want to run from their mates, their herd of other trail riders. They won't gallop forever - keep turning them into ever reducing sized circles till they slow down, start to walk then stop. Remember they've been frightened so running away is what they do best - run first, ask questions later. But look what you've done, you had an experience that went pear shaped, but you and they were ok, they were just acting on instinct and you now know what you can do to help them not have to run away - they don't have to run away because you're there with them and next time you wont let emotions take over your brain! Next time instead of just being an annoying passenger and they make all the decisions, you'll have spent time to build their confidence in you, learn to talk their language so when you say steady, they believe you and next time they'll stay, not run away. Feel great when that next branch snaps or comes crashing to the ground near you when they don't flee. This time they've still recognized potential danger, their ears pointed to the sound, they went all tense, they were getting ready to run, but now they are ok to stay because they're with you - you've demonstrated leadership that they believe in and can now trust. What a monumental occasion to celebrate - you the two legged animal, the veritable tooth pick next to this four legged muscular power house with all its instinct and hard wiring has partnered with you - it decided to trust you enough to believe you and feel confident therefore that they'll be ok. How amazing is that - what a life lesson! Size certainly doesn't matter at all - does it? You've proved that. Well done. Now get ready to transfer what the horse has helped connect you to, your own strengths - your confidence, your clear communication skills under very real danger and stressful circumstances, your ability to take responsibility for your actions and help others. So next time 'shit happens' you can do cope, whether it's a situation at school, work, home or socially, you'll help yourself and others chart safe passage through that situation by holstering your emotions during that time and making clear healthy decisions. You can still breathe under pressure, think clearly when others minds have fogged over, you can force yourself to speak calmly and maintain calm when your body wants to scream, cry or run. You can help yourself and others get through this. Like the bolting horse, that moment of panic will pass; you now have the skills and confidence to help things be better when that crossroad happens, when shit happens - because yep, welcome to life, it's often a bumpy journey. Congratulations - now you can appreciate the real horsepower that exists. What power has that horse ride had? And remember, you don't have to be able bodied to ride astride these noble animals. Allow them to reduce your heart rate, your respiration, to feel extra good about yourself. Let them teach you the power of non predatory behaviour. Let them teach you real freedom through relationships. It will possibly be one of the biggest gifts you ever give yourself. If you are brave enough to start this journey - it will change you forever. W elcome to the ride of your life - the ultimate life lessons from the language and learning of Equus.
As John Wayne once said "at the very least they help teach us to Talk slowly and Think quickly."
Ode to the Horse It has been said that "once you stop learning you stop living". How about spending some time to learn more about yourself? Have you looked into the ultimate mirror lately - that of a horses face? Stand in front of a horse, just you and them looking at each another. How does that experience go? Do they walk away, do they lift their head away from you, do they reach or walk closer to you? Do they respond to you when you ask them to walk with you, do you need a lead to do so or do they walk with soft eye and energy in their stride unclipped beside you? How they behave, how comfortable they are with you is a reflection of your energy and behaviour in their company. Do you act like a predator; are they cautious or fearful of you? They are the ultimate fake detectors - instinctively hard wired to survive, to interpret even the most subtle changes in stance, tone of voice or movement from a great distance. We can't fake it to them - they are our ultimate mirror.
If they were your mirror right now - would you be happy with your reflection? Is how you behave how you really feel? Does what you say
really reflect what message your want to say, does your body language give you away? They are hard wired to pick up any mixed messages, any fakes.
Horses don't lie and in their company nor can you - not even a fib, to them there is no such thing as a 'white' lie - a lie is a lie and the
consequence can be fatal!
Welcome to Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Equine Assisted Learning programs are a powerful journey of learning and understanding for each participant. Horses are extremely effective teaching tools; immediately responding to what participants do, how they interact with the horse. Trained facilitators look for "teachable moments" that horses identify and build on that learning opportunity. To understand how EAL works it's important to appreciate how horses learn and to understand their survival laws. In a horse's world, the rules are clear, easy to understand and dealt with swiftly when challenged. They don't fester, they don't sulk, and they don't harbor a grudge and plot or wait to 'get you back'. Such waste of time doesn't help their changes of survival - solid trusting herd life and relationships is what helps them survive hence it's how they spend their time. Through EAL people learn to understand what its like to become a true and valued herd member - and what those commitments and responsibilities entail, it's not an easy gig! Nature provides horses with instincts and senses that are very astute. For their mere survival, a horse must be aware of their surroundings and quick to react. They watch for the slightest movement, especially threatening body posture. Horses know the difference between a calm non-threatening approach and anxious, nervous energy; immediately identifying individuals struggling internally. Horses look for strong leadership and are willing to follow, but only after they find respect and trust. If we provide contradictory behavior, they will question and challenge our authority to lead. Horses respect the stringent outline of the hierarchy. In their world, team work is respected and expected. Horses respond favorably to positive stimulus and respect consequences inasmuch as it is fair. Horses are tough and steadfast dance partners; they don't judge, but they don't forget. They don't let you cheat and their feedback is honest and direct. Don't think if a horse kicks you that it is a nasty horse, it will have given you lots and lots of warning signs before it had to escalate to a direct kick - you must have missed their ears back, their tightened lips, their butt pointing in your direction, their showing annoyance by swishing their tail, the raising of the hind leg like its on tip toes in their threatening posture - you must have missed all of that, so gosh gee, what are they to do if you are such a slow learner that whatever you're continuing to do they've tried nicely to ask you to stop it and you haven't - dah! Time to escalate to the ultimate " do I have your attention now" - a kick. Dr Phil may have paraphrased "how's that working for you" but horses have been asking since the beginning of time. Including horses in specially designed educational experiences has been shown to greatly multiply the participant's rate of success to self discovery. Horses can't over think a participant's motive and horses can't manipulate behavior. But by their intuitive nature and innate sensitivity, horses can provide facilitators with a window into the participant's personality. As facilitators listen to a horse's non-verbal communication, together, they have the ability to walk participants through to finding life altering change. Participants not only learn more about themselves while learning how to develop a relationship with the horse but learn more about their other team members. This new appreciation can then be transferred to other relationships - family, personal, work, peer and so on. People with impairments have shown significant benefits from the natural value of the horse and their therapeutic benefits. Hippotherapy, using equine movement as a treatment strategy for people living with disabilities, has shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development as well as emotional well-being. Whilst the horse is not a physical or speech therapist, there are many examples of people, youth and adults, with special needs that exhibit notable improvement in their impairment, whether it be speech, confidence, mobility or the ability to have increased emotional expression. Imagine how it feels to watch a person say a new word for the first time while they sit atop their new hairy four legged best mate, or when they stay happier for the hours after their equine therapy session. EAL programs enhance life skills lessons by focusing on how to work through peer pressure, positive communication, problem solving, conflict resolution and other social issues. It also helps to present alternatives to participating in negative activities or behavior. It aims to provide hope and healing to people that suffer from substance abuse, behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, eating disorders, physical, emotional or sexual abuse, depression, anxiety and relationship problems. Building a relationship with an animal is very rewarding in many respects; for any person, let alone a person with an emotional, social or psychological disability, the trust and loyalty of an animal demonstrates to the student how important he or she is; they may then apply this newly-acquired self-esteem to personal relationships. A horse may also help a person feel in control of his or her situation, since in dealing with horses there is a direct relationship between action and reaction. To learn how to care for, and ride a horse, one must also be able to communicate effectively with both horse and instructor. In this way riding is a social activity, but may be less daunting to those uncomfortable in social situations. Riding a horse is a unique experience and helps empower a person and enable them to connect with others on a personal level. The sometimes unpredictable nature of animals and situations also creates a real life environment in which a student can confront his or her fears, and adjust to situations beyond their control, as they occur. Equine Assisted Learning is a powerful, professional and effective approach, proven to have a positive impact on individuals of all ages. With Equine Assisted Learning Centres all over the world - the short answer is "EAL does work". Why not look up a Centre near you and go see for yourself?
Horses are the greatest equalizer in the world.
It doesn't matter where you live, what school you went to or if you went to one at all. It doesn't matter what the balance is in your bank account or if you have enough money to even open an account. The powerful allure of the horse is the same for each of us - regardless of how famous, or infamous we are. The Horses magestry and freedom has captured many people you may know. Funny man Chevy Chase, Richard Gere who shares his ranch with Appaloosas, Christie Brinkley, William Devane, Morgan Freeman who fell in love with the horse on his first ride! Robert Redford's many riding adventures in his movies weren't fake, horses have been a mainstay in his life. Dennis Quaid, Jack Palance who considers he'll always be a cowboy, Kim Novak, Joe and Billie Perry, the man famous as Fraser the TV series but shares a life with horses Kelsey Grammer to Clea Newman who together with her family and the benefits of the charity monies from Newman's Own food products has helped to create Therapeutic Riding Centres. Hilary Duff has been caught by the horse bug and works to make a difference in the Return to Freedom wild horse sanctuary just north of Santa Barbara for which she is their Youth Ambassador. From bridging the gap for special needs people of all ages through horse therapy as has been done by the Newman family to having horses as their own mini Pegasus, flying them away from the hustle and bustle of their work lives, horses are the glue, binding the fabric of many people's lives that we know.
"The change in these kids' personalities and their ability to function better,
"We have exploited equus to extremes, and yet also nurtured the species perhaps more than any other."
It seems it is us that the horse has nurtured most of all!
Onwards to those that have admitted to having fallen in love their first ride!
A question for you, get ready, say the first thing you think of.
Finish this sentence: "I am a __________________."
What popped into your mind first? Was it your job - "I am a Manager of…", "I am a carpenter", "I am a stay at home dad?" Was it by your relationship status that you identified yourself, like; father, husband, mother, sister, daughter, head of the Tidily Winks Association? Perhaps you described your body - "I am a tall guy with extra large feet, your love of sports - "I play golf every day - hmm, xbox! your personality - "I'm an eternal optimist", your new best friend -"Jim Beam and I go everywhere together" or hurdles you've overcome that define you - "I use to bite my nails till they bled"?  Whilst people consider these 'identity labels' useful, and even necessary, how they shape the way you act and feel and the way people subsequently act and feel towards you, will be enhanced by allowing yourself a fresh canvas to rebrush this reality of Who Are You - Really!
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Look in the mirror - what do you see?
Just because |
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- Adventure before Dementia!
- No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. Sir Winston Churchill.
- Perfect, in charge of incredible horsepower and I don’t need a license - Life is grand!
- Imagination is everything. It's the preview of life's coming attractions - Albert Einstein.
- You can discover more about a person from an hour of play, than in a year of conversation – Plato.
- Attitude determines altitude – Anonymous.
Ok
you still don’t get what all the squeaking and squawking about all things horse is about. You don’t give a toss about ‘May the Horse Be With You’ or any like minded fun links to movies by Spielberg or others as famous or infamous. You don’t care that man and equus’ journey have been inextricably entwined, often fatally, since time began. You’re not going to follow that same horse-human connection!How
about then you oh guru of the non believers test out your theory, give your harbored doubt some air and rent some time with a horse - Just Because. How’s one hour – give yourself just one hour with an experienced horseman and suitably experienced horse to test your bah humbug theory that no such hairy powerful animal is going to add any value to your life whatsoever.When
you contact us to let us know how it goes I promise we won’t say anything that resembles “I told you so”, or “nar nar nar nar nah”. But we certainly will congratulate you on having the courage to give yourself one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.
Whoever said that money cannot buy happiness didn’t know where to buy, rent, lease or just gaze upon a horse.
Just Because riding a horse is a great way to keep in shape, help you with muscular and cardio fitness and fine motor control - another good reason to spend that first hour. Or Just Because of the adventure they bring to your life – a new way to discover the hills, dales and outdoor wonders around you. Just Because the lifestyle of being around them brings with it your chance to meet new friends, communicate and bond with like minded people.
This horse you spend but one hour with, then hopefully more time, can show you the things specific for you about riding, about sportsmanship, about yourself, and about love. If this relationship serves the purpose it is capable of you will never be the same again. Sorry if it’s sounding like a religious experience but what they evoke in each of us is so different and so powerful, it’s a bit like that.
The look, feel and smell ……….. of normal for you ………… will be altered after that horse experience, forever. The journey of discovery can be quite profound, its depths limitless. This horse can take you through that magic portal where nature reveals its secrets, where you can touch infinity, where you can join the immortals, for only your horse knows how to take you there. Hmm, to infinite and beyond!
But, if you are not ready to fly, to leave the ordinary world behind and touch a place so magical that some only speak of it in whispers, then it’s understandable you are not ready to spend that hour with a horse………….but hopefully one day you will have the courage to do so. At that time as you literally fly across the countryside being granted the partnership, the sharing of the horses hooves as your wings, inhale that crisp air as it pulls at your hair, feel the sunshine on your skin, listen for the sound of the equine concerto as the rhythmical gallop pounds against the earth and the loud strong beat of these two hearts, virtually beating as one, adds the final music to your ears.
Oh what a ride it can be!
Here’s to seeing you out on a trail some day