Horses Help Us To Be Ourselves
   I stood next to Thunderheart and his message to me was, "I am here for you." I felt the tears flow, knowing this new friend had the purity, power and the gift of raw life with the ability to change me in ways I did not yet understand.

    Horses are gifted with innate emotional intelligence and wisdom. As prey animals, they have developed a fine-tuned survival response to sense and be aware of the present moment. The language of horses is in their bodies. Independent of a rational thinking process, they are able to directly perceive reality. Much of what challenges human beings – in relationships and in organizational life – is beyond words and rational thought. This is why non-verbal communication and silence are key factors when engaging in a direct meeting with horses, just as with people. The silence of our encounters can free us from the chatter of inner and outer voices and the sounds of the outer world that desensitize us. As we enter into silent dialogue with horses, we also enter into quiet dialogue with ourselves. In the presence of horses we can feel more of our authentic innerselves.

   One of the gifts of working with horses is that the language is so much more expansive... When Spirit, a young paint mare, began to trust me, I felt a sense of wonder and awe that eased my anxieties.

Finding Inner Strength
   Engaging with horses in focused and reflective activity challenges us to learn how to think rather than what to think. Horses inherently are teachers of awareness and facilitators of change. They offer immediate feedback about our presence, emotional intelligence and body language. The awesome beauty and inherent power of horses influences people in incredible ways. Horses have retained much of their wild nature. They are not quick to please but are more likely to be independent and strong-willed. As a result, human interaction with horses often involves a high degree of chaos, endangerment and frustration. Horses are large and powerful, so their presence creates an instinctive opportunity to face fear and develop confidence.

   Thunderheart reassured me that it was okay to open up to the dangerous experiences from my childhood. He would stand with me and safely neigh my fears away.

   Through relationships with horses, we learn to summon our own moment-to-moment calm, strength, focus, respect and trust. We are able to explore our inner realms and move beyond our previous limitations into freedom of choice. This learning experience is directly transferable to our family and work relationships.
Listening with Open Heart

   “Horse whispering" is a physical act of slowing down and deeply listening – without being attached to outcome – with focused attention in the moment. The true whisperer is the horse. The term “horse whispering” means being in receptive dialogue with the horse's whispers. This authentic communication between human and horse is a beautiful and deeply satisfying experience of connection between self and other. This level of open-hearted listening opens us to extraordinary relationships with ourselves, our human community and all life.

   I feel as if I'm stepping into a fairy tale when I share space with the horses... In this place, I feel unburdened and nurtured. So my goal is to simply revel in the sensuousness of the experience!

Being Authentic
   Horses register incongruence; it is one of the skills they use to stay safe. When we are not congruent (not authentic) with ourselves or with them, they become uneasy and often will walk away from us. When we remove the mask of incongruity – when we are who we say we are and do what we say we will do – the horse visibly calms, relaxes and often moves toward us. In this way, horses mirror our authentic selves and provide in-the-moment feedback about our thoughts, body language and actions.

Being in Relationship
   Horses are natural teachers of family relations, leadership and teamwork. They are social animals with a strong instinct to bond and herd together; they live in herds and move toward relationship. Being left out of the herd is a core survival issue. Belonging is essential. As members of the herd, they do not blindly follow, but instead manifest their unique position in the herd. Horses remind us that it takes a herd to raise a family.

   Working with a 2,000 pound horse that questioned my every leadership direction offered me insight as to how I use my power and influence as a father to my teenagers and as a CEO in my organization. Maybe I need more time in the pasture!

Touching Grace
   Horse hoof prints and human footprints… Each step is a blessing and each breath a prayer as we walk together in harmony upon the earth. In the awesome presence of these majestic beings, we meet ourselves amidst an expanded sense of freedom and awe. In relationship with horses, we touch spirit and experience the grace of being human.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Partnering with her horses, Jackie Lowe Stevenson works with individuals and groups in equine-facilitated psychotherapy, coaching and experiential learning. Jackie teaches at Case Western Reserve University and the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, and she facilitates training sessions in Israel, Turkey and Mexico. Working primarily in a yurt surrounded by forest, Jackie integrates nature, horses, energy work and vision quest with personal and spiritual development. Jackie can be reached by calling (440) 247-2217 or e-mailing jls82347@aol.com. More information also can be found on her website: www.spiritofrelationship.com.