I’ve said it time and time again that horses are our ride to authenticity. Sounds pretty fancy, doesn’t it? But how? Can horses really help us cut the crap and see our true, authentic selves? The truth is that, yes, horses have the remarkable ability to know whether we are being honest with ourselves and others. They’re like living, breathing lie detectors. Truth seekers, really. Read on, my friends, for the story of how my own horse called me out on my BS, and why he did it.

I Was Full of It

Viper came into my life several years before learning about horses and Gestalt. Thanks to a dear friend and mentor, Danny, I was coaxed into learning how to team rope. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it involves a pair of cowboys/cowgirls, their horses, and a cow, all running at various speeds. Viper was to be my first team roping horse—he was a very qualified athlete that was unlikely to get me killed while I was learning how to chase a cow and swing a rope at the same time. We were a decent pair, and I was improving in the sport, but I had one small problem: I couldn’t catch my horse when he was turned out in the pasture. Every day, I would head out behind the barn to the large turnout, halter in hand and head held high. And every day, Viper kicked up dust and ran a muck. No amount of positive thinking or “fake it ‘til I make it” attitude helped my case. He even got his pasture mates—a mare and a goat—involved. Some days, Danny would feel sorry for me and get my horse before I made my way down to the barn. Other days, I couldn’t even bait him with grain.

One day, as Viper and his buddies tore around their pad, I lost my cool. It had been a long day already, and I was exhausted. “I can’t do this anymore,” I said to myself. I dropped my arms and felt the sting of impending tears. “I am so tired of pretending to be someone that I’m not. I am so tired of pretending to be okay.” The truth was that, while I knew it was my purpose to help others with their problems in life, I was in complete denial of my own. All of the denial and pretending had worn me thin from the inside out.

In my moment of truth I didn’t notice the dust settle. I felt a breath on the back of my neck before seeing my big, beautiful horse’s head reach over my shoulder and pull me in for a hug. I learned in that moment that even if I felt like I had to “fake it,” it wasn’t going to fly with my horse. With him, I had no choice but to be myself, and now there is nobody else I would rather be.

How Do They Know?

As prey animals, it is a matter of survival for horses to be able to sense the energy around them. When we are honest with ourselves and others, our personal energy is congruent throughout our entire body. Horses are attracted to our congruent energy because it is regarded as safe. On the other hand, when we are not speaking and acting according to our truth, our energy is incongruent. Incongruence not only feels gross, but it is potentially dangerous to horses, so they choose to stay away.

Over the years as a certified Equine Gestalt Method Coach (click here for more about the EGCMethod) I have witnessed horses helping clients shed light on their personal truths. A successful businesswoman seemingly had it all together but quietly struggled during family time because she was thinking about all of the things on her plate. A young mother was finally able to express her pent up frustration at leaving the career that she loved and the guilt that accompanied feeling frustrated. A widow voiced that while she liked having a companion for her active social life, she had no desire to get married again. One strong mother stood firmly in her power as she stated that her ex husband’s decision to end his own life was not her fault. As the list grows with varying scenarios and truths, one thing remains the same: the horses always know.

Some clients discover a deep truth that they were not conscious of before. Others find themselves speaking a deep truth that they always knew was there. Regardless of whether they’re newly discovered or held closely and privately to the heart, speaking these truths and receiving validation from a horse is an unforgettable experience that opens the door for the real work to begin.

Are you ready for a deep dive into your personal truth? Click here to schedule a consultation and learn more about how the horses and I can help—it’s free!

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