Horses Are Relaxing?
Photo by Natalia Radcliffe
~ Natalia Radcliffe ~
For many people, being around horses can induce a feeling of relaxation and happiness.
But why is that the case?
Well, before we get into any other reasons, it all starts out with your perspective.
If you don’t like horses or are fearful of them, then chances are being around them isn’t going to be relaxing for you.
But, if you do like horses, then it’s a much different experience.
There’s more to this than just simple liking or disliking the animal, however.
Horses mirror our emotions. If we are upset or stressed, they will get upset or stressed in turn. You’re worried about something? Then there must be something to worry about in their mind as well.
But, if we are calm, happy, relaxed, then they will be too.
Perhaps it is this phenomenon that, for those who are open to it, contributes to a feeling of relaxation around horses.
People who don’t like horses or are scared of them give off a different vibe than those who do like and are comfortable around them. It’s very similar to how dogs can sense if you’re a dog person or not.
The big secret is out. A large part of the reason why people can feel relaxed around horses is due to the way they themselves feel.
Isn’t that fascinating?
Speaking of horses, interacting with them consists of more than just if you’re an animal person or not. Having a successful interaction with a horse also requires you to get to know them. Just like in human interactions, when you’ll often observe the other person to get a sense of their vibe at that moment to respond accordingly, so is it with horses. Horses are very diverse in their personalities. What works with one horse might not work with another. Flexibility is key.
This perspective is part of the frame of mind of natural horsemanship, a term first coined by Pat Parelli, an American horse trainer and founder of the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program. Essentially, natural horsemanship is the different methods of controlling equine behavior using means natural to the horse. It’s a kinder, gentler way of interacting with a horse. In a way, you strive to speak the horse’s language.
Dr. Robert Miller, a well-known veterinarian and equine behavior specialist, utilizes the concept of natural horsemanship. He approaches each new animal he works with in a quiet way, observing their behavior to get a sense of expectations of how the animal will behave. Horses and other animals can have a wide spectrum of experiences, and that can be a double-edged sword for those of us wanting to interact with them. But, finding out what makes a horse tick is just part of the fun, isn’t it?
At Prospector Ranch, we have our mule Jorge and ponies Jenny and Boomerang. They all have unique personalities. We never stop learning what makes them, well, them. In doing so, we’re learning how to better communicate and connect with them.
Our pony Boomerang and mule Jorge hanging out! Photo by Natalia Radcliffe
Our pony Jenny and and mule Jorge enjoying some time together. Photo by Natalia Radcliffe
Anyway, adopting an adjustable, malleable mindset when it comes to interacting with horses not only helps in interacting with them, it also aids in your own life. Getting used to being flexible and approaching situations differently depending on the parties involved can be a helpful practice with social interactions with others. If you’re already used to it when interacting with horses, it stands to reason you’re more likely to apply those same tools in your personal life, school, or work.
In the process of getting to know and working/interacting with a horse, not only are you teaching the animal, but you are also teaching yourself. How cool is that?
Thumbnail: Background picture by JityPix on Pixabay.com.
