Anyone who has been around horses for any length of time knows how intelligent they are. Most horses have the brain development of a nine-year-old, which allows them to use verbal and non-verbal cues not only to communicate but also to learn. When you meet a horse or walk into your horse’s stable, he or she not only hears your voice and the tension or timbre it conveys, but more importantly, your body language. Are you tense and nervous or calm, happy and focused?

Yesterday was a tough day, I had decided to take advantage of this week and really focus on my business, no more wasting time on the internet. It sounds so simple, but when I’m at the computer “working”, there is so much other information that my eyes seem to want to see. George Cloony got married, you say? Hmm, you should see the photos. Did the latest American star just receive a DUI? I need to take a quick look. These kinds of distractions can end up derailing me for hours, so I decided to stop watching the latest “news” and focus on what really makes me money: my equine training and e-courses.

In the meantime, I had changed my internet provider and it was supposed to go faster, but it didn’t, it was slower. Very slow and I had been working on a sales page for an upcoming contest and was about to finish when I lost everything. I was really frustrated with the lack of technology that needs to be at my disposal 24/7! I turned off my computer and headed to the barn.

One thing that I have taught people and have always tried to practice myself has been the following: Empty my mind and raise my vibration BEFORE seeing Zeus. I can usually do this easily, however I am a human being and sometimes I don’t take my own advice.

As soon as I put Zeus in his post, he was very calm and contemplative. He usually looks at him, gives him his award and greets him squarely, which always puts us both on the same page and allows us to communicate better. He was looking at me with his big soft brown eyes and wondering if he was okay. Horses have always been able to catch up with me where humans have failed. His thoughts are true with no ulterior motives. They just seek to help and communicate on a level that many humans never master.

This may sound fun or be a new concept to you, but I have always told my horse exactly what is going on with him or me. When I said he was “frustrated,” he just said, “Well, now you’re here, let’s do something.” Just like that I came back to reality where my frustrations didn’t seem so important after all.

Horses not only bring me back to the present moment and what’s really important (which is usually what’s right in front of you), but they also teach us how to forgive others by enlightening ourselves. They are a mirror of us, except that they are a much clearer image of light than we can be. One of the great advantages of being able to be around horses every day is the rare opportunity you have to be able to change. Horses don’t cling to frustration, anger, or fear. Emotions arise and then disappear. For example, when you are teaching your horse a new move, he doesn’t know what you want but he tries and tries to please you. Many times he will fail until he finally gets it right, but if he seems frustrated, it may just be due to an inability to please him in front of our point of view, which is to get the move right. There is a big difference from both points of view and you should always strive to put yourself in their shoes.

When you learned to Post to the right lead, you probably failed many times, but each time you picked yourself up and kept trying. It was an important step in your progression as a cyclist and once you have it, you never forget it and you never have to learn it again. It’s like riding a bike and it becomes so easy for you that you probably don’t remember how hard it was when you were learning to do it. If you have a good relationship with your horse, he will try to please you to the point of harming himself. They will jump fences that they may not be physically ready for, but they will do it because you asked them to.

As I got into my car, I was grateful for not only the communication and the feeling that when I am in the barn there is nothing else for me except the 1,200 pound animal with a very intelligent and sensitive brain. It teaches me to be a better human than all the humans I’ve ever met. Forgive your horse when he fails and give him room to try again until he gets it right. The “Proof” should always be rewarded because without it you will have nothing left to work with. Also, don’t forget to forgive yourself, we all make mistakes even when we think we’re doing the right thing. Horses don’t hold on to your mistakes, why should you?

I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts on this article, please let me know what you think! My website is http://www.equine-24.com.

With love,
July