A very insightful artist, Anna Ruby Whitmire, says, ‘Horses of the present day reside in a world that was built by them, but not for them.’ So true. We ‘used’ and relied on horses to build the world we live in. They fought in wars that humans started, they plowed farms, pulled logs and raised beams to make human life possible. Their speed was used for communication, and they were the primary source of transportation. Horses were literally the power that built the foundation of our modern world.
And as the steam era evolved and industrialization spread, the use of horses waned. In many ways this made the lives of horses so much better as the brutal demands of a work animal were lessened. This caused many humans to dismiss the immense contribution of the horse throughout history. It also caused the horse to reinvent itself to still be of benefit to humans.
Because of my deep spiritual beliefs about horses, I feel that they have endured years of hardship and challenge with humans so that they can fulfill the roles they have now. Roles of coaching leadership, physical therapy, emotional therapy, and spiritual insight.
Modern horses are Avatars, spirits taking on physical form, masters of soul wisdom. They are healers in ways that no other modality can touch. They can challenge us in ways that no other being can, and they can open us in ways that no other being can.
If we are wise in our partnership with horses, we will invite all aspects of their behavior to mentor us. To awaken our own inner guru, to see with the eyes of heart and spirit so that we can understand the messages they are offering us. And in doing this, we awaken to our own spiritual understanding and growth.
Modern horses are here to walk us into the next frontier of walking between the worlds of horse and human, physical and spiritual. And as modern humans, we need this more than ever.
The Invitation
In your life with horses, consider all they do for you. Even when it seems that they are not considering you. In the challenge, there are answers if we can open to them. In times of sweetness with them, we find more good within ourselves and good in the world. Horses have adapted to fit life with humans in ways that no other animal has. Their assets of strength and speed are a great danger to us, yet they hardly ever use it against us. No matter their treatment. In fact, horses hurt us more when they are frightened and reactive, not when they are being mistreated and abused. Horses tolerate our egos, our ignorance, our stubbornness, and our lack of understanding with great patience. And they still offer the Great Invitation to co-create with them. Consider this commitment towards humans from the modern horse.