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On the Spiritual Side of Horsemanship

© Gwenyth Browning Jones Santagate

Why do we feel such the strong bond with a horse to begin with? What is it that draws us to seek even a spiritual connection with such a large, incredible animal. Now I'm really getting off topic/subject here but I think that when we discuss "dominance" vs. "leadership" .. these are things that we honestly have to ask ourselves and honestly answer before we can enter into a relationship with a horse honestly.

I believe that "dominance" is formulated through a baseline of fear. Yes, even with humans. A human has the need to dominate because if a situation is not in the "control" of the human, the human has to concede to feelings of being a "victim". However, if human can understand that he/she does not need to feel victimized and can have the flexibility to change something that isn't working aka ... the "boss" is wrong ... then the human can begin to guide, encourage, teach, learn and be a "leader". The human EGO is taken out of the picture (need to dominate) ... and a deeper level of understanding is opened in order to form a deeper working relationship with the horse (or person, or dog, or any other human-animal relationship)

I don't want to go into a full dissertation on this and I have nothing more than my personal studies and experiences on which to base all of this ... but if one were to be totally honest and true with onesself ... then I think that this "stuff" will become so blatantly clear that there would be no questions on the difference between "dominance" and "leadership". It is when we, as egotistical people dealing with our raw id, can bypass or work thorough our "selves" that we can then begin to see and work with other creations that do not have the egos ... as equals and as friends. This takes risk. Heavy, high risk. But the end result? Cannot be surpassed!!!

No, humans are not horses and horses do not see us as horses. BUT ... that's part of the magic of it all, wouldn't you agree? That species can cross relate with one another and find mutual ground on which to be honest and true friends and partners? How much we could learn from the animals if we'd only put our egos aside ...