I am astonished by the kind and perceptive comments that all of you are sending me. It’s not possible to answer each one, but I want you to know how grateful I am for what you are writing.
Realizing that I am striking a chord that resonates to so many people made me think about something Linda Kohanov wrote recently. Linda is the author of some wonderful books, among them “The Tao of Equus”. She has a great website: taoofequus.com, with a monthly newsletter. This month in it, she talks about the concept of “intersubjectivity”.
This is the word that she uses to describe what happens when someone creates something or expresses some idea which touches other people in a way that makes them feel connected and validated. Horses have an ability to make us more honest and authentic. Silk and Siete constantly keep me aware of what is going on in both my heart and my head. That’s what I mean by “inner horse wisdom”.
In an earlier newsletter, Kohanov was asked what the message of the horse is. She replied, “Before you decide what should or shouldn’t happen, notice what is happening, and based on that information, align with what wants to happen next.” Horses stay in the moment. While I am with my horses, I might be worrying about how I’ll find time to go to the grocery store or replaying the conversation I just had with my husband or wishing that my daughter studied more for her math test. It all boils around inside me, and when I lead Siete to the pasture, she acts up, prancing and misbehaving. She brings me right back to earth, reminding me to let it go and focus on what is going on here at this moment. I am aware of the wet icy ground under my feet, the wind blowing and the spirited horse attached to my hand by a 3 foot long rope. It scares me a little, but I have no choice but to face it and deal. What happens next is that Siete and I dance our way inside the gate. I make her wait while I take a deep breath. When she calms down,I let her go and watch her fly.
20 comments:
You know, if you keep posting like this, I'm gonna want a horse too. :-)
I thank blogger too for listing you as blog of the day. Not sure I would have found your wonderful insight and wisdom otherwise.
I've just found your blog and I love it. I have a horse and she is a great teacher :-)
Your posts are great, Victoria, insightful, inteligent, and inspiring. The pictures are just beautiful, you have great looking horses.
I really love Horses, its good to find a blog dedicated to them, and the unspoken lessons they can teach us. I know I have learned a lot from my horses, but its great that theres someone out there sharing it with the world.
Thank you for your posts. I'm going to be a regular! :)
This is a lovely blog.
I too have realized little tidbits of 'equine wisdom' along the way, thanks for sharing. I miss seeing my crew out the backdoor and hearing them comment when I walk out the door. They are boarded now, even though we don't have room for them at home I couldn't live without them!
Thank you for writing, and thanks to blogger for highliting your blog, but most of all...Thanks for the pictures, they are great!
I think it is wonderful that so many readers now have a more insightful window into the world of horses because of your blog. The "interconnectivity" that your posts bring to us is inspiring.
Wonderful post! I feel the same way about my dogs. Grounding for sure.
My geldings are wonderful barometers of where I am in the moment, but my mare, who is 25 years old and has one eye and mildly arthritic knees, is like a biofeedback machine.
If I'm hurrying or churning something inside my head, she will do what it takes to bring me to the moment. She insists that anyone who handles her is centered and grounded. If you are, she's a dream. If you're not, you either get that way or you get into a power struggle that she will win.
It still amazes me, after a year and a half of owning her. I'm a psychotherapist and I can't do half the job she does in getting folks present and in their bodies.
I had a 2-hour lesson with my older gelding today and I feel like my entire being is clear. For that 2 hours there was nothing in my head but moving forward with him. It's such a gift, what they give us.
I too am enjoying your blog immensely. It echoes so many of my own sentiments. (your barn even looks like mine!)
I am astonished that suddenly I am with reverence following a "Equus" blog - but it takes me back to when I spent summers on grandma's ranch in Nebraska. One of my chores was to mend fence and I did this on horse back. Your blog is zen. My other horse comment is when they are startled by rattlesnakes they may buck and throw you into an electric fence. Must be Karma. Thanks
Thanks for sharing your moments with your horses. We all have special gifts in our life to assist us to be in the moment. I miss having a horse do that for me, but by reading your posts--I am right there with you feeling the wind on my face, the cold ground under my feet, and loving the beautiful, yet somewhat scary, fury friend by my side.
http://loveambassador.blogspot.com
I am creating my own blog site called Animal Ambassadors and looknig for creative ideas. I really enjoyed viewing yours. While qualified as a vet since 1984I am working now with the "spirit of horse" and often have tears of joy when I work with them. Being more than a vet is just great.
Michael
Great blog! You love your horses!
Pravi ljepotani,lijep pozdrav iz Croatia!
http://www.cvrkut.bloger.hr
What an utterly, totally amazing blog you have!!! You are truly talented and blessed and I hope to read many, many more years of your adventures and insight.
Love your blog!!!!!!!! I owned a very difficult stallion that not only taught me horsemanship but 'The Secret'. That was 20 years ago; long before the book.
.. I am also an artist, equine and sport horse breeder. I would like to link you in my blog but I will have to figure it out. Come for a visit! :)
www.equestrianartist.blogger.com ... I think that's the address. Or go to my web site first then link off home page: www.equine-impressions.com
my horses: www.cloverlone.com
Now I have to figure out more of the blog settings and layout. YOu did such a nice job! Bravo!!!
Nature has wonderful things to inspire and teach us. I always look around the world around me and try to decode the sights and sounds.
Fantastic advice! My mind wanders all over the place and I need to learn even at 68 to focus. I just figured I would never be able. Maybe I should go work with horses somewhere.
Wonderful advice for me this morning. I had a blow up with my husband of 26 years and the air hasn't quite cleared yet in my head. You know. I too, absolutely adore equines and after reading your blog I realized I need to go outside and work with my new, yearling Mule, Rilo. thanks again for the timely advice!
Love the narrative and pictures. I was a horse owner but when the first one died at the age of 28 I cried like I had never cried before. Fearing feeling loss again and because I didn't have time to enjoy them as I would like to, I sold my one remaining so in my mind she would be living forever. Silly I guess. I hope someday to be involved with horses again.
I just discovered your blog, and I am really enjoying it so far. I've loved horses since I was a little girl, and you express the connection between 'a girl and her horse' beautifully. I've worked with horses in the past, and the 5 months I spent in a foaling barn last year brought me some of the most special, spiritual moments of my life. I will definitely be linking back!
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