Here is an exercise offered in our upcoming book project, Sharing The Now- Mindfulness Exercises To Enhance the Connection With Your Horse. Try this the next time you are with your horses. This is an extension of the exercise on being with your horse posted previously.
Phase 1: Start this exercise across the fence or stall door, at some distance from your horse. After taking a few moments to notice your breathing and your body, set the intention to be present with your horse. Take some deep breaths and then allow your breathing to stay in a natural rhythm. Breathe as deeply or lightly as feels comfortable. Notice how the air feels as it enters and leaves your body. Rather than thinking about it, just feel the breaths moving through your body. You can attend to how the breath feels in your entire body, or just in a part of the body where it is easier to track your breath. For example, some people like to focus on their nostrils or throat, their chest rising and falling, or their abdomen expanding and contracting with each breath. What works for you is fine. Rest in this awareness of your breathing, without trying to change your breathing in any way.
Some people find it helpful to visualize a leaf floating on waves in a pond, and imagine that their awareness rests on the breath in each moment, just like the leaf rests on the waves of water from one moment to the next. Only use this visual if it helps you.
Phase 2: Choose now to focus your attention completely on your horse, with soft eyes, noticing where they are right now. Choose a place to stand across the fence or near your horse, depending on how you practise this exercise. Are you comfortable or uncomfortable where you are? If your horse starts moving away, notice if you have an emotional reaction. Remember that the horse also must feel comfortable during this exercise, so it is okay if they move away.
Observe if you take it personally if your horse moves away from you. Similarly, if they move towards you, notice your thoughts, and emotions. What is your energy like as they move towards you? Continue to practise looking at your horse with soft eyes, blinking slowly and breathing deeply. If you are practising this exercise near your horse, take a few steps towards the horse and notice the response. If the horse is close enough, you can briefly connect with them through touch if this feels comfortable for you. Then, taking a step back, pay attention to your breathing. As you observe what the horse does, continue taking deep breaths, or breathing at your regular pace if you choose.
Now, observe your horse’s breathing with curiosity and no judgment. Is your horse breathing at the same or different rate as you? Generally, a horse’s rib cage rises and falls as they inhale and exhale, and they breathe at a slower rate than humans do. Observing their belly or flanks over time may help you recognize those movements as the air circulates through their body. Occasionally, people can observe slight motions at the base of the horse’s nostrils. Notice how your body feels in each moment. Does your body feel different compared to earlier in the exercise?
Phase 3: Take a few deep breaths in and out through your nostrils or by inhaling through your nostrils and exhaling air through your mouth. Watch the effect, if any, on your horse. You may only see an impact after a few minutes. Is your horse taking deeper breaths also? If your horse isn’t blinking, try blinking slowly while looking at them. Notice whether this prompts them to also start blinking. These actions can remind you about how you each affect the other. Think about how connected you can be with your horse after trying these things.
Are you able to notice both your own and your horse’s breathing at the same time? Do you prefer to notice just your breathing? What does it feel like to breathe with your horse? Does this elicit emotions for you? Perhaps you feel more connected to your horse? If not, that is also okay. Just notice whatever your experience is in each moment of the exercise. This can be a strange experience for both of you, depending on how you usually spend time together. It may take a while for both you and your horse to adjust to this, and you may experience unexpected emotions during the exercise. Notice these reactions, release them, and focus back on being with your horse. Images of closeness with your horse- photos or illustrations Take a few moments to rest in the awareness of breathing near your horse. This exercise is not intended so that you match your breathing to your horse’s rate or pattern of breathing. Horses tend to breathe more slowly than we do. We hope that this exercise helps you to simply notice and feel what it is like for you to breathe together, in each other’s company, while breathing in whatever way feels most natural to you right now. When you feel ready to focus on something else, intentionally shift your attention elsewhere.