For those of us that leave traditional methods behind and step into the new frontier of Horse and Human relationship, we often face many forms of ridicule. Those committed to doing what they have always done are often not open to something that has not been proven by a notable trainer or at least one with successful marketing that makes them appear as an expert.
This new frontier of Horse/Human relationship is definitely based on acknowledging the soul of the Horse from the observation of the soul of the Human.
To me this explains why Horses have endured centuries of hardship, abuse, ignorance, and dominance. They have waited for us to ‘wake up’ and participate in this new way of being together. I believe this will be their greatest contribution. To experience them as healers, myth-breakers, and outliers.
And we are answering. But not without a price, yet our price is nothing compared to what the Horses have paid for centuries.
I have been challenged and/or questioned about my relationship with Enchantress, and how I let her make many of her own decisions. About how I consider her opinion during our rides. And about how I ‘handle or don’t handle’ challenges.
We have a couple of issues when we ride. I don’t like it and I am concerned, mostly that everyone is safe, not that I ‘win’ and make her comply. After speaking with her about these things, she shared the information that when she is resistant, I stop being in partnership with her and I become a dictator. Well, she is right, I ‘need’ for this situation to resolve, and quick so that there is not damage to anyone on the ride.
But that does not work for her, she wants me to be in partnership as she navigates what concerns her. I have promised to do better. It’s not perfect and I don’t have all the answers. But they are coming.
I came to Horses a bit late in life, so I have had very little formal/correct training. I wish I knew more, but I only know what I know, so I have learned to trust our relationship more than my education. My relationship is something I am accomplished in.
To some, I am an oddball, an outsider because of my allegiance to my soulful theory on Horses, to some I am an outcast because I cannot go back to former methods of hierarchy with me being the ‘boss’ of my Horses. To some I am an outlaw because I refuse to acquiesce and return to archaic protocols when my soul led philosophy hits snags. None of these are worth sacrificing what my Horse and I have created these last few years.
If we are to be in deep partnership with our Horse and soul-based philosophy on how we are to co-create our life journey; then none of these external opinions matter.
What matters is that we know deep within our soul how we are to interrelate and honor our purpose together.
To persevere with certainty that we are writing our own education and philosophy and that it is unexplored territory that often leaves us feeling vulnerable and needs permission to morph as needed.
The Invitation
We all learn from each other; what we need to incorporate into our partnership or what needs to be released as it is no longer applicable or is in conflict with who and what we are now. The ultimate solution for creating honesty in our foundation with our Horse is to be clear on our own philosophy about our relationship. Is this based on our authentic experience or is it something we brought froward from our past? Does it need adjustment? Is there room for transformation? Is this the truth of who we are with our Horse or are we navigating from assumptions, pressure, or habit?
Getting clear on what is true in our partnership is what matters, this is where we find true satisfaction and success. No matter the missteps or what it looks like to others. This is our journey, and we need to walk it in honesty.