The Current Herd
One of the things I do regularly is sit with the horses. I always have some sort of lawn chair in the barn so I can easily pull it out in all weather. Each horse I have known has been a teacher to me. And, there is also a lot to learn from the entire herd as a group.
Here is my process. I look for a relatively poop-free-zone in the pasture so I am comfortable. I set up my chair against the fence line or barn so that I can stay safe if the horses come over and want to get close. I sit and quiet myself, calm my breathing. I ask to perceive the dynamic that is going on in the herd that moment. Often it looks something like grazing. But, when I tune into what is going on dynamically (energetically) there is always a different story. On one level, without fail I can always feel the deep silence that is their natural state. That alone makes the exercise worth it. But, on another level I can always feel things like, how they interact with the earth while they are in this peaceful state. Animals all have a purposefulness in relation to the earth. They are an expression of the earth like plants are. They are energetic beings that assimilate energy for the earth, each species in a certain way. The earth needs all animal species she currently supports. Like humans need water, certain foods, air, rest etc. The earth needs her animals, plants and other species to live and thrive. The animals and plants are the way the earth sustains herself.
What often happens is a number of the horses come over and just want to rest with me. The point they come to be with me can be quite predictable. It is when I really tune into them authentically and meet them in their quiet.
*If you choose to do this yourself please keep yourself safe and continue to use your horse sense. Even with horses I know well, I remain very careful about things such as being in their flight line, which horses are likely to be more curious or mischievous about exploring my chair or a sitting human etc. Hickory used to try and paw the chair out from under me he was so curious about it. I learned very quickly sitting in a chair was not a good (or safe) idea with him.
Here is my process. I look for a relatively poop-free-zone in the pasture so I am comfortable. I set up my chair against the fence line or barn so that I can stay safe if the horses come over and want to get close. I sit and quiet myself, calm my breathing. I ask to perceive the dynamic that is going on in the herd that moment. Often it looks something like grazing. But, when I tune into what is going on dynamically (energetically) there is always a different story. On one level, without fail I can always feel the deep silence that is their natural state. That alone makes the exercise worth it. But, on another level I can always feel things like, how they interact with the earth while they are in this peaceful state. Animals all have a purposefulness in relation to the earth. They are an expression of the earth like plants are. They are energetic beings that assimilate energy for the earth, each species in a certain way. The earth needs all animal species she currently supports. Like humans need water, certain foods, air, rest etc. The earth needs her animals, plants and other species to live and thrive. The animals and plants are the way the earth sustains herself.
What often happens is a number of the horses come over and just want to rest with me. The point they come to be with me can be quite predictable. It is when I really tune into them authentically and meet them in their quiet.
*If you choose to do this yourself please keep yourself safe and continue to use your horse sense. Even with horses I know well, I remain very careful about things such as being in their flight line, which horses are likely to be more curious or mischievous about exploring my chair or a sitting human etc. Hickory used to try and paw the chair out from under me he was so curious about it. I learned very quickly sitting in a chair was not a good (or safe) idea with him.
© 2018 Heather Rusk. All rights reserved.
