When spending time with my horses I often ponder the vast difference between us, and then I ponder the contrast of the intense commitment to connect between us. Though we are so different, we are the same in our pledge to learn together, to seek for mutual ground between us and to create a common language.
Sometimes our thinking or our will takes the forefront and tries to force outcomes that we imagine will give us satisfaction in our work or our relationship together, but for those of us looking for mutual respect or training through relationship, it does not take long for the truth to appear and clearly reveal the folly of such linear and forceful behavior.
More progress is made when it is led by the Heart. The Heart has a miraculous way of seeing in the dark, in places where we have no conscious knowledge of how to achieve what we desire or how we need to proceed from here. Our thinking confronts us with all the reasons why ‘this’ or ‘that’ needs to happen, and what actions are needed to ‘make’ something happen. The Heart has a magickal way of finding Soulutions that we cannot ‘think’ into success.
Most Horse people have experienced resistance when we ask something of our Horse that is new or challenges them to trust what we ask of them. Though this may display as refusal or resistance, perhaps it is just the Horse asking for us to lead with our Heart. Not with the intention of teaching them something, proving us as the alpha, or being the superior being, but asking them to take this step with us, together with devotion to the qualities of the Heart.
When we move in the dark, we are careful, we engage all of our senses to help us find our way and avoid danger. We tune into our sixth sense to act as a liaison between what we know and what we desire, we need information that our logic does not have access to.
When working with a Horse that is resisting what we ask, this approach can soften the demands and help to align Horse and Human as allies in the work. If we proceed as if we are trusting the dark together, then we become dependent on each other, and we learn to acknowledge the strengths and weakness that appear in the dark. And when we return to the light, we have gained trust, intimacy and insight that strengthens the relationship.
The Invitation
If you find yourself in conflict with your Horse, step into the dark. Because the Heart can see in the dark, it is safe here. In the dark both Horse and Human take a step back in hopes of finding information before moving forward. Perhaps it is you that is afraid to move forward, maybe your Horse is ready to take the next challenge. If you imagine yourself in the dark with your Horse, see if you can release your tendency to control or make the decisions and instead, let your Horse be the stability. Let your Horse be the place of power that can walk you safely into the light.
Delaya Diana © 2020
Delaya Diana © 2020