Horses can come into our lives as our teachers and healers by mirroring exactly what is going on deep within us.
Have you ever wondered why your horse is calm one day and flighty the next? Like everything there can be more than one reason for this, but today we are going to explore how our emotions, fears and anxieties affect our horses behaviour, why this happens and how we can build a more trusting and calm connection with our horses.
First a little explanation on why horses are so sensitive to how we are feeling.
Horses are prey animals, and their survival instincts rely on their ability to sense and respond to the emotions of those around them. They are masters at reading subtle cues in body language, tone, and energy as it is these skills that gives them the awareness of the dangers around them and helped them survive in the wild. This makes them very sensitive to our energy and how we are feeling. Our Horses can feel our anxiety, anger, sadness, fears and will react accordingly.
With this in mind understanding the prey animal instincts of horses is crucial when interacting with them. Human gestures, body language, and energy can be perceived by horses as either reassuring or potentially threatening.
Horses as prey animals have the following inbuilt instincts:
Hyperawareness: Horses are naturally hyperaware of their surroundings. As prey animals, their survival depends on their ability to detect potential threats quickly.
Flight Response: The "flight" response is a primary survival strategy for horses. When faced with a perceived threat, horses are inclined to flee to escape danger. This flight response is deeply ingrained and contributes to their skittishness and tendency to startle easily.
Social Structure: Horses are herd animals, and their social structure is built on safety in numbers. They have a strong need for social interaction and form close bonds with other horses to enhance their collective chances of survival.
When in the presence of a horse it is good to be aware of the energy and emotions that you are feeling. If you are feeling anxious or tense it may make the horse nervous or trigger the horse's flight response, while a calm and confident demeanour fosters a sense of security. These instincts are what make horses excellent therapy animals as they mirror back to us what they pick up from us. This can give us a huge insight into what it is what we need to work on in order to be able to be a calm and confident partner to our horses.
We are all made of energy including our animals, plants and birds, every living thing. We are emitting, using and creating energy all the time and our energy will either add or deplete others energy, and others energy will also affect us. Thoughts are also energy and emit a frequency out into the environment around us. We are each like our own radio station broadcasting the energy of our thoughts and emotions into the space around us and forming a certain vibration in our energetic field.
If you are feeling anxious it may manifest in various ways – from nervous body language to erratic movements and tense energy. Horses being highly sensitive to our energy, may interpret these signals as potential threats, triggering a stress response such as heightened alertness, nervousness, or even resistance during interactions. When riding this can result in increased tension in the horse's body, reluctance to respond to commands, spookiness/flightiness, rushing, making it an overall less enjoyable riding experience for both horse and rider.
Recognising the influence of your emotions on your horse is the first step to creating a positive and harmonious relationship.
Calming your energy and reducing anxiety before riding is crucial to promoting a positive experience for both you and your horse. Here are several strategies to help calm your energy before riding:
Mindful Breathing: Practice deep, slow, and intentional breathing. Inhale deeply through the nose, hold the breath for a moment, and exhale slowly through the mouth. This technique helps activate the body's relaxation response and can significantly reduce anxiety.
Grounding Exercises: Engage in grounding exercises to connect with the present moment. Stand with both feet on the ground, feeling the contact with the earth. Focus on the sensations in your body, and visualise any tension flowing down through your body and into the ground.
Positive Visualization: Use positive visualization techniques. Envision a successful and calm riding experience. Picture yourself and your horse moving harmoniously, and focus on the positive emotions associated with this mental image.
Affirmations: Repeat positive affirmations to yourself. Affirmations can help shift your mindset and create a more positive and confident outlook. Phrases like "I am calm and in control" or "I trust my horse, and my horse trusts me”.
Pre-Ride Routine: Establish a calming pre-ride routine. Create a consistent sequence of activities that helps signal to both you and your horse that it's time for a focused and relaxed interaction. This routine could include grooming, gentle stretching, or spending quiet time together before riding.
Quiet Time with the Horse: Spend a few moments in quiet companionship with your horse before riding. Gently stroke and speak softly to the horse. This interaction can help build a sense of connection and trust.
Focus on the Breath During Mounting: Pay attention to your breathing as you mount the horse. Often, mounting can be a moment of increased tension. By maintaining a steady and calm breath, you can carry that composure into the riding experience.
Ride with a Supportive Companion: If possible, ride with a supportive friend or instructor who can provide encouragement and guidance. Having a companion can alleviate feelings of isolation and create a more positive atmosphere.
Post-Ride Reflection: After the ride, take a moment to reflect on the positive aspects of the experience. Acknowledge any improvements, no matter how small, and build on them for future rides.
By incorporating these techniques into your routine, you can create a more relaxed and positive atmosphere for both you and your horse.
The emotional connection and bond between humans and their equine companions is unique. Recognising the influence of your emotions on your horse's responses during interactions, and through understanding, mindfulness, and intentional efforts to manage emotions, you can build a better relationship with your horse, enjoy your time together and become aware of what you may need to heal within yourself.
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