Native Perspective

Not all horses are cared for equally, we know this.

Thousands, maybe even millions of horses are kept and treated as non-sentient, unemotional, and unfeeling beings. As I said, we know this. Still, to face reality is important, as often as possible, as a teacher.

When visiting rescue centres, hospitals, sanctuaries, or stables in areas of the world where horses are perceived this way, I have been told many times they will bite, are dangerous, and to only work with certain horses. Of course, this can be the case, however the deeper truth is that every horse on the planet will, when worked with a certain way, choose love over fear. In truth I believe the essence to connecting with horses in a deep way is always the same, loving stillness. Why? Because love is a language recognised by all sentient beings.

There are three pillars which create a way to present this love to horses are: Silence, presence, and intention. When horses are in an environment conducive to defensiveness our way to connect can often also be through curiosity, incited by these three pillars.

When we are still and quiet enough to hear what is needed, what is needed will always come through.

I wasn’t able to do any treatments the day I visited the stables at Aitchison College. However, when I asked one of the horses how I could help his answer was: ‘Feel what I am feeling, as much as possible. By doing this you become a funnel of emotions, a river which flows, a bridge between worlds, a native perspective, which is what we need. A native perspective.’

A native perspective, what I realised in that moment was that that’s something we can ALL do in devotion and honour to all horses everywhere. My Paternal ancestors walked the land here in Pakistan but showing up in a ‘native’ way is not site specific! It is awareness specific.

We make make a difference wherever we are, regardless of whether we realise it or not. That means that at any time we can become a native perspective in the moment for what is happening because the words native, natural, and intuitive go hand in hand.

I am talking about something more than just being quiet and approaching a horse. Holding stillness and an open-heart, inviting horses to come close, especially when they’ve been mistreated is one of the simplest and highest forms of respect.

Allowing the stillness within to be the anchor of what draws horses towards us is also based on safety. How safe do we feel within us on a regular basis? What is our nervous system communicating? How can we take responsibility for our own sense of peace? All with a view to encourage the gentlest approach to connection / sovereignty possible.

With that in mind how can we make every aspect of who we are a devotional channel for our horses’ wellbeing?

How can we feel what needs to be felt? Opening up to the often heart-breaking reality in front of us, facing it, cracking open the riverbanks of our perspective until a fresh footing of information is revealed?

Feel all they are feeling, as much as possible. Let the rivers flow, become a channel of emotion. Become an extension of what IS, then choose to transmute it.