Connection
Since the surge of ‘Natural Horsemanship’ Connection has been a frequent word used to describe how we are within our relationship with our Horse. Something we strive for, something we should have if we are to be good Horse owners and riders. For some, Connection is natural and indigenous in our relationship, for some it takes work and understanding, from both Horse and Human.
Understanding Connection is an inside experience, its something inside us that calls for another Being to bring us into unison. Connection is to ‘join, fasten together, to establish communication, to unify’. Metaphorically when we Connect, we become as one Being, two entities uniting as whole, becoming unanimous in the sense as in having common understanding and language when we are together.
Clearly for most of us this is not a constant state of being, more often than not, it seems elusive. But moments of Connection is enough to keep us believing and striving for more of it.
Perhaps an indirect way to improve Connection with our Horse is to improve our inner commitment to who we aspire to be in our relationship with our Horse and Connect to that. As we form our ideals that we interpret as Connection, form a clear and solid image of how we convey this image through our thoughts, our habits, our behavior, actions and energy when we are with our Horse. The stronger Connection we have with our own desire and beliefs about Connection the better opportunity we have to invite the Horse into this safe and compelling alliance.
Connection between Beings requires that all parties agree to Connect. If it seems the Horse is reluctant to Connect, first, revisit your own commitment to Connection, then, look for reasons why the Horse may be resistant. Is it a trust issue? If so, is it with you or with another person before you? Is this the first time the Horse has been invited to Connect with the human? If so, it may take some time for the Horse to accept this invitation because it does not know what is required or expected. Perhaps the Horse has tried to Connect with someone before and was unsuccessful and is now insecure or resentful.
Connection is invisible, it is intangible, it lies between what we see and what we intuit, in truth, it cannot be explained, it must be experienced in order to understand its meaning. It is a bit like love, we know when we feel it, perchance they are partners, and when we seek for Connection, we do it with love as the guide so that our Connection serves us both, without manipulation.
The Invitation
Take time this week to write down what Connection with your Horse looks like to you. How would you go about achieving this? How does it feel to you? How does your Horse respond? List 3 things that you can Commit to within yourself that align with your ideals of Commitment and incorporate them into your interactions with your Horse. When you are with your Horse, make sure that your thoughts, intentions and actions align with your internal image of Commitment.
Delaya Diana © 2020