autonomy in our horses
As we seek to have a more autonomous relationship with our horse, what does that look like? If we look at the word, autonomy, the definition states; the right or condition to self-government. To be autonomous, means you have the freedom to choose. There are a lot of horsemanship methods that look very, very autonomous. Sometimes we see the horse and rider who are loping around the arena with no bridle, reins, bit, etc. Moving seemingly in unison and by connection alone. Then sometimes you see the horse and human who are “dancing” with each other in the arena and their methodology has a name like Liberty which sounds quite liberating! I think there’s a lot of misconception that we work through in the equine world, let alone the outside world. I mean, the amount of information we must filter through on a daily basis is pretty wild. What a blessing and a curse. I know when I was in high school, we learned about information on the internet and how to decipher credible resources. That’s not so easy when what we are reading is masked with false confidence and twisted personal realities, which so much of social media seems to be. Something feels so much more credible when you see it presented by a human who claims the value it gave them. But a lot of the harmonious and free interactions captured are misleading. I remember watching a video of someone cantering their horse around an arena, bareback and bridless, and caption demanded there was full freedom and connection behind the experience. Because there must be! There is no equipment restricting, holding or maintaining the control. How can we learn to distinguish seeing the baseline of the “connection” we’re witnessing? First, would be learning what absolute autonomy looks like in our horse. Ask yourself that. What does full autonomy look like in my relationship to my horse? Some examples of that may be;
Showing up to the barn and taking the time in your vehicle or house, before even greeting your four legged friends, and asking yourself, how am I feeling today? What am I bringing with me emotionally and mentally. That could look like placing your hand on your heart or stomach and putting your question out to the universe and seeing how your body responds. Does pain come in? Where? Do you feel warmth or happiness? Why? The whole concept with this is; what do you bring into this space today and how will that lead you through your next steps at the barn?
Greeting your horse- how do you greet your horse? Do you walk right up and get the halter on and you’re on a mission to get the wash rack to groom and tack up and get to work? Do you notice first how your horse noticed you? Did you say hi? What a silly thing that may seem like, huh? But, what would it hurt? For two years I’ve gone out to see my boy and always greeted him with excitement, but I’ve also shifted to watching his facial expressions. I say my hellos, and guess what? He does too! Every single day, he nickers, or sometimes yells out hello to me! Whether he’s had a bad day in his pasture, not slept well the night before, or just is feeling off from bugs or heat, he’s willing to give the greeting back to me. Why wouldn’t we want to recognize that? Why rush through something so special and connecting? Does that mean we’re immediately on the same page and the next hour or two of time spent together will be perfect? No… but it sure sets us up to a good start for connecting - and I’d take that baseline over a rushed agenda anyday.
Your time spent together after greeting. If you’re riding - how your ride goes. If you’re working on the ground - how your time together is spent. Do you consider a good sweat an accomplished ride? No bucking/rearing/tantrums, a good ride? Ask yourself what will make you leave the barn that day thinking, wow that was a good - fill in the blank. Do you think you may be a little less harsh or judgmental (on you or your horse) if the preface of your encounter was based on intentionality and observance?
I think the best aspect of addressing our relationship to autonomy and how we’re able to identify it is the underlying stability that it provides in our life. By default, we are more conscious and connected to ourselves when we’re putting deliberate intention into the environment and life around us. Understanding the concept of recognizing autonomy in your relationship with your horse will transform your connection. Most likely in aspects *almost* unrelated. Maybe the greatest, universal lesson here, is to trust how connected every living creature is.
