The Equine's Apprentice

I have the good fortune of having at least a few moments almost every day for mindfulness with horses.  At times it is just a few moments of intentional mindfulness while they finish their feed or it is moments of mindful task oriented intention while tending to hoof care or simply grooming.  Other times the mindfulness is reserved for periods of intentional meditation.  All of these times bring meaning in their own way. There are others times when I have the fortune to share these mindfulness experiences, not just with horses, but also with fellow human beings.  Each of these mindfulness moments bring their own variances colored by the personal histories and presence of the participants.  The horses bring an intuitive understanding of each individual present and their responses to the situation offer to enlighten our human understanding. The language of the horse is subtle and often silent but when we are attune, it is always enlightening.  Hor...

Today I spent time with several of my psychology students engaged in mindfulness with horses.   I don't know exactly what the experience meant to the students but it was profoundly meaningful for me and the horses.   Coming together in mindfulness with these natural and powerful mediators is ineffable.   The connections the horses and students created were visceral.   The horses' responses to the mindfulness of the students were undeniable.   The horses went from curiously leery and apprehensive to being as peaceful and trusting as a new born baby.   The closest image of the experience that I can conjure, is that of watching a baby sleep. The students seemed moved by the experience as well.   That old saying of you can't give without receiving seems apropos.   The students gave gentle kindness and in returned received acceptance and trust. For a few hours today, the world expanded into a universe full of genuine unconditional accept...

I've directly experienced the benefits of mindfulness and yet I've found myself in the last couple of weeks going days at a time without taking the time for mindfulness.   When I catch myself, I'm a bit shocked to find the high levels of anxiousness and depression.   Then I say to myself, duh.   Catching myself does not always bring me back to mindfulness.   There have been several times when trying to go to mindfulness, there has been just too much resistance.   Other times catching myself and saying, "There is no better time than the present", opened the door to mindfulness. Even just a few moments of present moment awareness can bring down my anxiety and lift the depression.   The mindfulness in the presences of the horses remains the strongest.  I don't know why. It just is.   Some how, it  gives me a deep empathy with the ethereal timelessness of being through a strong connection with the natural world.   I am gratefu...

A couple of years ago I made the decision that I would not ride until I could ride with the horse at complete liberty.  I wanted to ride only a horse that was a willing and ready partner. If I was going to ride, I wanted my horse to get as much from the experience as I was getting.  Riding horses brings me immense pleasure but I just could not get over the fact that while I was enjoying the experience my horses were allowing it merely out of compliance from subjugation.  Put another way, I was getting pleasure from the coerced subjection and submission of another being.  The more I allowed that realization to sink into my consciousness, the more determined I became to ride only with the consent and willing cooperation of my horse. I began looking for liberty trainers and found a number who were doing amazing things.  They were riding without any tack.  No bridle or saddle and they had what appeared to be a willing and cooperative partner ...

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Ever noticed that horses when given a choice avoid standing or walking in mud?  So why, is it that the first sunny day they just can't resist a good deep roll in the gooyest gunck?

Empowerment Allen Lomax  (copywrite 2009) “Power contained and positively directed opens one to the universal sources empowerment.” The Philosophical Equine Empowerment is shared force.  Empowerment is collaborative force.  Empowerment is connected force.  Empowerment arises within individuals and groups when the true essence or true nature is allowed to develop unhampered and unrestrained. The wealthy and the rulers have power but are not always empowered.  Others can be extremely empowered but not wealthy or powerful.  Mother Teresa and Gandhi come to mind.  Though avowing a life of poverty, both from their empowerment attracted tremendous financial wealth and power to their causes.  As one of Gandhi’s supports stated, “It takes a great deal of money to keep Gandhi in his poverty.” Horses know empowerment.  Horses are strong and powerful.  They are empowered because in their wisdom they contain and direct their extraordinar...