There is a fun and creative approach to understanding and interacting with horses and for almost 40 years my equine journey has evolved in ways that I had never imagined possible. I have developed a Horsemanship program for children and adults that will allow students and participants to explore the mind and nature of the horse - which in some magical way - can touch many of us - very deeply.  Interaction with horses also provides a natural format for developing and integrating leadership skills that will benefit people of all ages - in all walks of life. There are people who - for various reasons - do not possess leadership skills - nor the inner peace and happiness needed to succeed in their lives. There are also those individuals whose lives have exposed them to trauma and heartache and these individuals are in need of healing. Through interaction with horses many individuals once again (or for the first time) find that center of joy in their hearts. Horses provide a much needed special connection and these lovely animals tell us much about ourselves. Horses are quite often the key to important feedback and self-discovery.

While working as a Team Ventures Facilitator for Clemson University, I observed that most people (children or adults) increased their confidence level when they chose to venture (even slightly) out of their comfort zones to accomplish an assigned task. I have repeatedly observed - while training horses - that the same principle exists. When there is an increase in confidence - there is an increase in the ability to learn. Challenges that require focus, thinking, and purpose, facilitate learning. Knowledge builds confidence and confidence builds leaders. Leaders promote confidence in others including our horses, and horses and people thrive on good leadership.

For some people interacting with a 1200 pound animal programmed by nature to flee from perceived danger - is an overwhelming challenge.  Although people desire to be with horses – they often lack the needed confidence and leadership skills to understand the horse and to be understood by the horse. Certainly it is not “natural” for horses to feel safe or comfortable with humans.....as we are opposites on the food chain. Horses are prey animals and live - to survive - before all else.  It is not natural for a horse to accept a human climbing on it's back but it will --- under the right circumstances.   Yet, in most new situations...we find that the frightened reactions of a horse and/or the resistance actually translates to the horse fearing for its' life.  Buck Brannaman states: "After we mount the horse in the posture of a mountain lion - we then ask the horse to allow us to  strap the hides of dead animals to his back..." but this phenomenon - far too often - is taken for granted. To move to a place of "acceptance" by the horse - and to move there peacefully and safely - we must find the starting point where the communication begins. It all hinges on Trust.  The understanding of  "equine psychology"  is the open door to their beautiful minds and hearts. Endless fun and reward ensues when horse and human discover that there is a language they can both understand. The other side of this journey into the horse's mind....is the journey into our own hearts and soul in order to get there.

I enjoy offering students the opportunity to learn from the horse and in many ways to improve leadership and communication skills. Horses are natural teachers. The horse is an animal who challenges in subtle and not so subtle ways.The horse is honest and reacts or responds accordingly.  While learning to communicate and interact with a horse - people will discover that developing leadership skills clearly defines a path for many successful endeavors in life.  In relation to riding...I try to educate and encourage my students to become horsemen and not just "riders." 

Within the horse there exists many qualities that humans often wish to possess. The horse is an example of grace, beauty, strength, fragility, power, gentleness, and boldness, to name just some qualities.  This wonderful and complex creature can evoke deep from within us - an unprecedented awareness of our core. Horses are undeniably aware of their environment 100% of the time. Horses don't lie and tell us what they see in and about us.

Embracing the Equine Paradox: Why is it then - that  humans often have little confidence interacting with horses when we are clearly drawn to the intense pleasure of watching them, touching them, and reading about them? Is it the explosive power that the horse is capable of demonstrating that intrigues and sometimes overwhelms us? Is it the beauty and grace of the horse that keeps us mesmerized and somewhat distanced? These are possibilities - but it appears that the relationship we have with a horse or the lack of a relationship - provides an almost instant evaluation of the communication skills we have or need to develop as individuals. Maybe we are seeking affirmation from the horse - those positive things that we'd like to think about ourselves and yet don't quite know how to earn the affirmation.  More often than not - if we lack the skills to lead and communicate effectively with our horses - we also lack the same skills when interacting with people. The horse  will "tell us" because by nature the horse is blatantly honest and possesses the ability to sense the simplest of our intentions, the deepest of our emotions, and the depth of our sincerity. Horses are programmed by nature for survival to respond quickly and intuitively.  If we learn to embrace what the horse can teach us then we will learn to recognized those things about ourselves - we would most likely want to change.

Skills: A resistant horse is a learning tool: Developing a harmonious relationship with a horse is not always easy. Riding a horse who does not relate to humans with any type of respect or communication is dangerous.  Horses, like humans, possess innate and learned characteristics. They come from individual backgrounds and have unique attitudes, reactions, and behaviors. One can view a resistant horse as a means to discover why, how, and what is needed in ourselves - to lessen the resistance from the horse.  It is not “natural” for an animal programmed to flee from the unknown - to trust a human who is by nature unaware of the horse's innate fears. But when the trust is established and the human has evolved into someone that the horse wants to be with - the relationship is redefined and learning has been accomplished in the process.

 A Reflection: It’s been said that our horses mirror us. Do our horses reflect positive characteristics and confidence? Ideally we’d like to mirror with our horses in such a way that our thoughts and wishes become their thoughts and wishes. If we look into our horse's mind and spirit and see ourselves...and if our horse's look into our hearts and see themselves...then we've accomplished the oneness...the partnership...and the harmony.  When you encounter problems with your horse - consider looking first - at yourself.  If you develop a true relationship with a horse - the horse will teach you.  Be ready to learn.

Lynn Holcombe