Sir Winston Churchill once said:
"There is something on the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man."
This quote speaks volumes to anyone who works with horses.
Living and working with horses I
learned a lot over the years, they have taught me that with hard work and passion you can overcome obstacles. When you work with horses there are no days off. Whether it's freezing cold or sweltering hot outside, horses need food and water. Their survival depends on you being present and putting their needs first.
The relationship with horses has shaped my everyday life and I have had to adapt or readjust important decisions in my life to my commitment to them. However, having horses in my life is the best decision I have ever made. Every sacrifice to make this happen was completely worth it.
They have taught me patience, responsibility and determination to achieve my goals.
To work for my dreams instead of waiting to be hired to work for others.
They have taught me to face fear and overcome it to feel empowered and ready to face life's harsh trials. In an age of instant gratification, horses have a lot to teach us about the value of physical and mental effort.
Horses are said to be like a mirror to the soul, sometimes you'll like what you see, sometimes you won't. They always know exactly how you feel and I have seen myself grow and change through my relationships with many different horses. You may be able to fool other people, but you can never fool a horse. To gain their trust, you must be genuine or they will see right through you. They teach you that you have to manage your emotions in order to progress. Horses reflect the energy we emit.
They have helped me tear down walls I had built for myself and allow me to be my true self, even if sometimes that means being vulnerable and giving up control.
To be authentic, it is crucial to be present and aware of what is being done in the moment. Horses don't care about yesterday or tomorrow. They are focused on the moment.
From them I have learned simplicity in my relationship with the world and in relationships with other people, without prejudice or fear of opening up to others, building relationships of trust.
For the raid to survive, the horses must respect each other's roles and cooperate. This is how I learned to approach others with respect and awareness, cooperating despite differences, without ceasing to affirm my limits, but avoiding conflict and learning to forgive, as so many times they have forgiven my ignorance, my haste , my tension, my fear and so many other things.
When we learn to understand what a horse is telling us through body language, we are learning to interpret non-verbal communications. They have taught me how to improve verbal communication and body language. Words are important for conveying ideas and thoughts, but often our tone, posture, gaze and actions are much more so.
They give us the tools to power
succeed in our crazy world, they understand.
They don't need a degree or a psychologist. They are able to show us and teach us the basic qualities we should already know and they say it all without words. If you haven't learned a little about a horse, you probably haven't spent much time with one.
What makes the horse a great teacher is the special bond we have with it. There is a connection, an understanding and a respect that is special. It is through this connection that we can learn from it. They teach us to be the best version of ourselves.
They don't care about all the things you're going through. They only see your soul. And if you shut up and listen, you'll find they have a lot to say and help you on this crazy journey we call life.
And for that, everything that the horses have taught me, and everything that we have experienced and shared, I am truly grateful to them. Owning horses is not just something you do, it is your very essence
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