Practice the Art of Congruency

He is able to read me at a much deeper level than I am used to. With humans I can do one thing yet feel quite the opposite, horses are not easily fooled. “The common human habit of suppressing negative or socially unacceptable feelings is notoriously unsettling to a species that survives by being able to gauge a predator’s presence and intentions at a distance. A person who is ‘emotionally incongruent,’ who acts one way while feeling the opposite, appears dangerously out of focus to the equine awareness system” (Kohanov 58). I have to balance my needs out with his needs in this partnership that we are creating as I readjust to the opposing modes of unchecked theory to the reality of the moment.

http://lifeiznow.blogspot.com/2011/07/lessons-from-buster-journal-entry-4.html

References: Kohanov, Linda. The Tao of Equus: A Woman’s Journey of Healing & Transformation through the Way of the Horse. Novato: New World Library, 2001

Allowing the Life Lesson to Sink in

Buster continues to teach me to think moment by moment and not jump ahead to get outcomes. As I learn to communicate and listen I have to slow down my steps, at times at a turtle's pace. This lesson is applied throughout my life. I am constantly adjusting from being outcomes driven to allowing the life moment to sink in and take root.

Though I have theoretical knowledge in the form of books and some haphazard encounters with horses as a teenager and later as a volunteer, I have no formal training in the art of natural horsemanship. According to experiential learning theory (ELT) as developed by John Dewey, Jean Piaget, Carl Jung, and others; this type of learning has six characteristics (Kolb & Kolb). The first of the six characteristics is that learning is a process, “that includes feedback on the effectiveness of their learning efforts (194)”.

This experience with learning about natural horsemanship has feedback built in it in a few different ways. The horse’s owner is a certified riding instructor, and is experienced in working with natural horsemanship tools. She has lent me all her learning materials on natural horsemanship and gives me gives me hands on training with her horse. She is positive with her feedback in that she always tells me what I’m doing correct first and then adds what I need to sharpen as a skill.

We process our experiences with Buster, which helps both of us grow in our ability to work with him. I am so thankful for this, the entire experience of Buster, his owner and learning in a very tangible way that continues to grow me.

http://lifeiznow.blogspot.com/2011/06/lessons-from-buster-journal-entry-1.html

References:

Kolb, Alice and David Kolb. "Learning Styles and Learning Spaces:Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education." Academy of Management Learning & Education 4.2 (2005): 193–212.

Life too Fast? Slow down with a Horse.

 
Fast forward 29 years later. I have horses in my life again. This new experience has been in the making since I read Linda Kohonov’s 2001 book The Tao of Equus. I intuitively knew that horses would enlighten me, teach me and provide that almost intangible connection to the greater world around me. I had it in my mind to dream big, to have a horse in my life. I started my intention in May of 2009 with creating a vision as shown on my blog, http://lifeiznow.blogspot.com/2009/05/vision-board.html. 

Having Buster in my life has brought me back to those times when I was 14, on my mare Queenah, slowly making my way in the high desert of Arizona. Though those were turbulent times for me, I was able to get lost for awhile in the world of the horse. I could be authentic, let my guard down, all the while soaking up the adventure that comes from riding out in the Big Sky Country. 

Buster takes me to that same place, where all is natural, without pretense, and simple. My "monkey mind" settles into the rhythms of grooming, walking, and what ever else we do together. I can't multi-task and there are no deadlines. It's like a short vacation! 
 

Writing in fits and starts

My last post was in August! Where does the time go? I have since landed a full time job, and am still chipping away at my degree. I write papers these days...and hardly think I have time to blog...well, I may start to find the time. It's a great place to meander and meditate. I will write down excerpts from a paper I did on Buster.

I still make time for Buster, but have had to relegate my time with him on Sundays. This is my first winter riding him. And I gotta tell you, I need better socks! My toes get numb when it goes below 35 degrees...

He is such a loving presence. I feel a sense of peace when I'm with him. The whole world melts away. Perhaps it's because I don't have to perform with him. I don't have to come up with answers, I just get to be.

I am thankful for him in my life.

When allowed to exist in a relatively stress free environment, a horse’s mind is literally swirling with the nuance common in creative geniuses. Just by associating with their equine partners, riders can tap into this stream as well”.

–Linda Kohanov, “The Tao of Equus”

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Like many women, I started my love affair with horses when I was very young. Their beauty and grace mesmerized me. I read every novel the library had that starred a horse in a leading role. Books like Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, The Black Stallion by Walter Farley, and My Friend Flika by Mary O’Hara stirred the fire within me to have a horse. At the time, we lived in the bustling suburb of Anaheim, California. My father was a pastor, my mom a stay at home mother, with five mouths to feed. I knew it was an impossible dream. But as impossible dreams sometimes do become reality, we moved to 15 acres on the Oak Creek in Cornville, Arizona in my early teen years. I was finally able to have a horse, for a short time however.

Lessons from Buster: Life Lesson #9