Finding peace

I’ve spent a lot of time observing how horses interact with each other, and how they are when they are with us. Over the last few weeks, I have noticed several of my students experience peaceful interactions with their horses in ways I hadn’t really seen between them before. 

I’ve reflected on how important this peace is. Peace doesn’t have to mean some sort of fluffy meditative trance we go into; for me, peace represents an experience founded in quiet confidence that we share with our horse. This can be when riding a high school movement, or even during as simple an interaction as standing quietly or grooming. 

So many horses I help others with have no idea how to have a peaceful interaction with someone, and in turn many people also don’t know how to have peaceful interactions with their horses. I’ve worked with horses who are so unsure, and lacking so much skill and confidence, that the mere task of standing quietly next to a person brings all sorts of neurotic behaviors out. I also see the same from people - what could be a peaceful moment turns into excessive petting and meaningless movement that sends the horse confusing and misguided messages. In general, if a person and a horse can’t be peaceful for basic interactions, then the likelihood of overriding, over-aiding, and needing to rely on training gadgets is quite high. 

Supple and balanced movement cannot be developed out of chaos. 

I’m coming to realize that one of my favorite things to offer people and horses is the experience of peace together, so that they can continue building upon a steady and secure foundation.