The horse is one of the most beautiful animals on our planet.
It has grace and beauty, power and strength, all qualities that we humans admire.
Horses throughout history have captured the imagination of the public as a source of wonder and admiration.
Many horses are mesmerising to watch, we just can’t take our eyes off them, while others are gentle and kind, uplifting us by just being in their presence. When we see horses moving, especially in the wild, noble and free, the radiance of their spirit seems to shine through.
It is this radiance that makes horses so attractive to us, along with the special quality of their energy.
In Chinese this radiance is called Shen and the energy is called Chi.
The horse is a prey animal, unlike humans who are predators.
The horse essentially has not changed very much in the last 12,000 years, it still retains the instincts for survival that have served it so well over the millennia.
These instincts are deeply encoded in its being and mean that even when the horse is domesticated, it still lives in harmony with the natural principles of The Universe.
The horse takes information intuitively from the natural world, the sun, the moon, the seasons, night and day, its landscape and environment and tries to adjust itself accordingly, so that it can continue to live in balance and harmony with its exterior circumstances.
Most horses are in tune with their bodies, unlike many of us.
They can feel inside of their bodies and they’re comfortable and happy with themselves. Just think how happy they are when they give themselves a good shake after getting really wet.
By contrast, many of us have become disconnected from our bodies, from nature and from the present moment. We worry about the future, we ruminate about the past and in many cases we no longer even need to live by the seasons.
Even though humans are predators, horses let us interact with them and it is through this interaction that we can reconnect with the natural rhythms of The Earth.
Looking after horses is a grounding activity that satisfies us deeply. It involves physical work, using common sense and observational skills. It also helps us to learn to look at things from the perspective of other beings.
Having to concentrate and work like this makes us really live in the present. It also teaches us patience and brings out our nurturing side, which strengthens our emotional and mental wellbeing.
Being with horses, riding them and looking after them heightens our awareness.
Being in their company helps us to make a conscious effort to fully engage in life and enjoy it.
When we’re operating from a place of stillness and awareness, even if there’s a lot of noise all around us, it’s easier for us to tap into Universal Consciousness and Intelligence, The Tao.
Taoists believe that the main role of humanity is to allow the energies of Heaven and Earth to unite.
In many ways we instinctively know that this blending of energies can take place when we spend time with our horses. Horses help and accelerate our quest to join the energies of Heaven and Earth, as more and more people feel mentally, emotionally and spiritually uplifted when they are with horses, the better for us all.
When we care for one species, it’s natural that we’ll care more for another and in this way, ensure that all animals, all species and The Earth are protected.
Some of our modern diseases and conditions are caused by the mistreatment of ourselves and our planet. Horses are now playing an active role in helping to heal these conditions by bringing love and peace and acceptance to many people.
Horses are able to demonstrate a subtlety of emotion and understanding that most humans can’t, they can help us to deepen our understanding of ourselves and others.