Where does the love for horses come from?
Can you remember when you discovered that profound fascination with horses?
If I dare say, I think many are simply born with it. Others seem to stumble into it. But one thing is for sure, it’s an indescribable intense desire to connect with equines.
At around four I sat on my first mushroom-coloured pony. I cried. The kids in charge of the trail ride were arguing whether or not they should put a saddle on for me, because I was wearing a dress. It was not a confidence-building moment, but in my tiny heart, I felt something extraordinary.
The next time I got on a horse, I was eight. Every day on my way to school, I’d pass by a lonely palomino in a farmer's field. My dad rented that horse, and I rode him in a hockey rink across from my house in town. I had no idea what I was doing. But one thing was for sure: I was riding.
Finding Your Connection – Building Trust
A connection with a horse begins with an interest, a feeling, or a desire to be near them. But a lasting relationship develops over time, through respect, trust, and the experiences we share.
Horses have their own ways of communicating. As we learn to recognize their responses, respect their boundaries, and become more consistent in our actions, we create opportunities for a partnership to grow.
Consider your relationship with a horse:
- Notice: How does your horse respond to your presence? What might their behaviour be telling you?
- Build trust: What small, consistent actions help your horse feel safe and understood?
- Reflect: Is your idea of connection based on what you want from the horse, or are you also paying attention to what the horse is communicating?
The Horse and Heart Journal offers exercises to help you reflect on your experiences with horses and deepen your understanding of the relationship you are building.