Horses Make Us Human

Horses Make Us Human

Over time, we humans have been trained to dismiss or hide our emotions, as they may be a burden or uncomfortable for others. We will even reject ourselves or feel weak for having them. Generally, we tend to hide negative emotions and write-off positive emotions. So why do we have emotions? What purpose do they serve?

Emotions are processed by the limbic system in our brains. The limbic system includes the amygdalae, which aids in emotional processing and emotional memory. Despite what we may think, humans aren’t the only animals that have a limbic system. Through horses, we can learn more about our own emotions and the importance of genuine connections.

Emotions are necessary for evolution and survival. Horses are prey animals and rely heavily on feeling safe throughout their daily interactions. Fear drives horses to avoid danger. In a wild herd, there’s usually a lead mare and a lead stallion. Both take on different social emotional roles. The lead mare will seek safe places to graze, drink, or foal, depending on the needs of the herd. The lead stallion will generally protect the herd from harm by staying in the back. From this standpoint, the stallion can see if any predators are honing in, or he can nip at stragglers to keep them moving forward. What if horses in the herd stopped acknowledging or expressing these emotions? Do you think they feel ashamed or weak for having them?

Like horses, humans are social animals and use emotions to navigate life. Our emotions help us find safety, maximize success, and also communicate our needs to others. When we hide our emotions, we are doing ourselves (and others) a great disservice. Fortunately, our equine friends can help us recognize when we aren’t being authentic.

Horses must be proficient at reading energy and body language. This helps them create a hierarchy in their herd, and helps them know when to retreat or allow curiosity. When we practice horsemanship, we are practicing how to read and regulate body language. Many times, our horses don’t cooperate with us because there is confusion between our body language and our verbal language. For example, if I’m nervous around horses, my body may show signs of being tense, cautious, timid, or anxious. If I ask the horse to move while in this state, I’m most likely going to get a reaction that reflects my emotions instead of what I asked for. This is a great time to pause, take a deep breath, and bring focus back into the present moment. This may allow your brain to step out of a heightened state of arousal, making it easier to recalculate your approach. Taking a deep breath and releasing tension in your body is a powerful tool for regulating yourself and finding that balance of communication with your horse.

When we learn how to be aware of our own energy, we can see and feel how it affects our horses. This natural horsemanship not only deepens the bond between you and your horse, but also within yourself and others. We are social animals just like horses. Although we are not prey animals, our emotions help us navigate through our social relationships and help us find pleasures in life.

If you’re interested in how you can deepen your relationship with your horse and yourself, send me a message! Join my 6 week healing and growth program: The Healing Spirit. We will meet once a week and have personalized healing and growth sessions that will include : the concepts of Mindfulness, creating a Reiki space, trusting your intuition, building relationships on trust and respect, and personalizing a path to meet your specific goals. More info on this coming soon!!

~ Alyssa