Why Horses?
Horses reflect back to us our feelings, intentions and behaviour.
Horses are social creatures with highly complex social structures in their herds; therefore they readily and honestly respond to the challenges inherent in forming and sustaining relationships. As animals that are preyed upon in nature, they have retained a highly developed ability to sense changes in the stance and arousal levels of other herd members; an ability they easily transfer to interactions with humans.
Horses see through the slightest incongruities of emotion and intention, yet they are exceedingly patient, forgiving and non-judgmental in their engagement with us. It is this, above all else that makes Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) such a powerful yet safe method for anyone to honestly look at themselves and learn new patterns.
These mindful creatures also seem to have the ability to help humans achieve a state of relaxation and to live more in the present moment. As humans we tend to habitually live in our heads, planning ahead, thinking of what we have to do next or an old conversation we've just had, rather than staying fully focussed on what is happening right now in this very moment. As prey animals, horses stay in touch with their bodies, their environment and each others' feelings and movements from moment to moment. Interacting with them, even just being in their presence, enables us to do the same.
The Horse to Human Biofeedback System
Author of the groundbreaking books
The Tao of Equus, Riding Between the Worlds and
The Way of the Horse: Equine Archetypes for Self-Discovery and founder of
Epona Equestrian Services, Arizona,
Linda Kohanov writes:
"The equine system is like a huge receiver and amplifier for emotional vibrations. No matter how good you are at hiding things from yourself and others, your nervous system still involuntarily broadcasts what you're really feeling, at a frequency horses are especially good at tuning into."
This makes horses exceptional teachers for humans to enable us to access our true feelings buried beneath our self-control and fears of judgement. Once we can do this we can begin to access long forgotten parts of ourselves: our innate strengths, gifts and talents.
"Interacting with these animals can be immensely therapeutic physically, mentally and spiritually, helping people reawaken long-forgotten abilities that are capable of healing the imbalances of modern life." Linda Kohanov, The Tao of Equus.