wisdom of the prey
always in the moment
always in the moment
always in the moment
Horses have been on the planet for 55 million years. Being prey animals, they wouldn't have lasted so long had they not been keenly attuned to their environment at all times. In contrast, we humans tend to spend more time worrying about the past or ruminating about the future, not really giving much thought to our current mental and phy
Horses have been on the planet for 55 million years. Being prey animals, they wouldn't have lasted so long had they not been keenly attuned to their environment at all times. In contrast, we humans tend to spend more time worrying about the past or ruminating about the future, not really giving much thought to our current mental and physiological state. If horses didn't listen to what their senses had to tell them, they might miss the predator in the bushes and become dinner. Dr. Bessel A. van der Kolk observes that "traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies and learn to hide from themselves."
emotional regulation
always in the moment
always in the moment
Horses react instinctively to a threat, their "survival brain" taking charge to ensure the safety of the organism. Once the threat has passed, they discharge whatever energy built up in their system (running, bucking or maybe a shake) and go right back to calm grazing. We humans are not as adept at turning off the threat response, and c
Horses react instinctively to a threat, their "survival brain" taking charge to ensure the safety of the organism. Once the threat has passed, they discharge whatever energy built up in their system (running, bucking or maybe a shake) and go right back to calm grazing. We humans are not as adept at turning off the threat response, and can get stuck in the on position. The result is a dysregulated nervous system. Our "thinking brain" implores the "survival brain" to just get over it, and we might feel impatient and self-critical as we remain in a state of hypervigilance and suffering from the many physical and mental health problems that result.
social engagement
always in the moment
social engagement
Horses know that the safety of the individual depends on the safety of the herd. They stay in community and rely on one another in the business of daily life. They have no judgement over themselves or their herdmates but accept each individual just as they are. Stress and trauma in humans leads to social isolation as the individual str
Horses know that the safety of the individual depends on the safety of the herd. They stay in community and rely on one another in the business of daily life. They have no judgement over themselves or their herdmates but accept each individual just as they are. Stress and trauma in humans leads to social isolation as the individual struggles to process the discomfort within. There is both an unconscious need to protect oneself, and thus stay apart from others, and frequently a pervasive sense of guilt and shame, perhaps leading to depression, anger or anxiety which make interacting with others very difficult.