Perseverance might be an accurate description as to how horses have survived as a species. Through the millennia equines have fine-tuned their abilities to recognize possible dangers in their environment and react as they see appropriate to survive for another day. What some humans would describe as being skittish, horses would scoff and question why one would stay around to see if what’s in the bush has them on the menu. Humans typically are free from the constant threat of being a target so we have the luxury of letting down our guard and being less concerned with other’s intentions. To be a horse is to be hyper-sensitive to the world around them, specifically to human interactions and how this will affect their daily living. This is just one example of how horse’s have proven to be exquisite teachers in making us better humans.
Upon approaching a horse, you are being sized up, defined, with many conclusions being drawn as to your emotional state, your intentions and your energy level. Try to imagine the horse having the ability to interpret all this through a computer screen or a helmet worn by them similar to those seen in movies like Terminator or Ironman. Billions of data inputs being synthesized to help the horse decide to run away, stand still or perhaps become curious. What makes horses unique is their unmatched skill in observing the world around them and making these split-second decisions based on these inputs. As people we can learn a lot from this ability as we interact with other humans who try to mask their intentions or feelings, perhaps with no malicious intent, but are uncomfortable or unable to express their true emotions. Horses can see through this masking and react appropriately. To witness a breakthrough of a horse helping a person define their honest emotional state is a life-changing event. Both parties are absolutely involved in this conversation and become consumed by the light which has been shown on the truth. Without the benefit of the English language, horses make this understanding crystal clear to a species which may perceive itself as superior with a higher level of intellect.
Horses truly are experts in communication. To observe horses closely is to appreciate their high level of communication and interpretation without a spoken word or wildly flailing arms and hands for expression. Whether we care to admit it or not, like horses, humans exist in a world of hierarchy where there are leaders and followers and everyone settles in to their part of the big picture. Unlike humans, horses communicate with a sharp, directed point void of hidden intentions; when a horse ‘speaks’ to another horse there is never room for a passive aggressive nature or unclear motivation. The health of the herd and each member of it depends on swift and conclusive understandings of what is being expressed. Their lives may literally depend on it. While naturally each horse communicates with the other horses in their group, it is the herd leader that has the final say. This conversation occurs without snide remarks or personal attacks and it concludes with a clear understanding of what was being expressed. Horses don’t walk away from their conversations wondering ‘What did she mean?” but instead may utter a “Sheesh, I get it.” Horses share this ability, unfiltered and not watered-down, when interacting with humans. They will help you better understand where you are emotionally, physically and spiritually with no punches held. The question becomes, “Can you handle what they have to say?”