Why Horses?
It has been said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a person.”
Horses are social creatures with distinct roles within their natural herd. They thrive in relationship with one another and are continually testing their boundaries within those relationships. They are curious, honest, unbiased, intuitive, playful and powerful beings.
Unlike humans, horses rely on non-verbal interaction and are therefore keenly aware of the things within their environment. They are prey animals that are constantly reading the cues around them in order to discern their level of safety and security. Because of these heightened intuitive and social skills, horses are excellent partners in the process of human growth and learning.
Benefits of the horse as partner:
- Honest, non-threatening feedback lowers defensiveness and opens avenues of change
- Immediate cause and effect provides insight into patterns of behavior and belief systems
- Non-verbal interaction tests ideas of connection and attachment
- Size and power of the horse raises awareness and need for assertiveness, boundaries and self-control