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The Human Animal Bond and Mindfulness Series: 4. How Mindfulness Can Deepen the Bond

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Written by Shreyasi Brodhecker and edited by Natalie Wilson In the final article of this series we reflect on how being fully aware, of your experience in the present moment, can deepen the quality of connection you have with your companion animals – horses and otherwise. The previous articles in this series introduced the Human Animal Bond (HAB), explored the benefits that the Human Animal Bond has demonstrated through research and anecdotal evidence and provided…

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The Human Animal Bond and Mindfulness Series: 3. Explaining the Human Animal Bond

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We continue our Human Animal Bond Series today with Part 3. Theories explaining the healing power of the Human Animal Bond. This is a continuation of my learning received through some introductory courses at the Dreamcatcher Association and at Healing Hooves, interspersed with some personal life connections and reflections. There have been several different ways people have tried to explain how their bonds to animals have created such life-altering benefits. As noted in the first…

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The Human Animal Bond and Mindfulness Series: 2. Researched Benefits of the Human Animal Bond

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We continue our Human Animal Bond Series today with Part 2. The Researched Benefits of the Human Animal Bond. As part of completing the introductory training offered by the Dreamcatcher Nature-Assisted Therapy Association and Healing Hooves Equine and Animal-Assisted Therapy, I’ve been able to review various research studies highlighting the value of the bond between humans and animals on several levels – emotional, physical, social and cognitive (or thoughts-based). There is certainly a need for…

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The Human Animal Bond and Mindfulness Series: 1. The Treasured Human Animal Bond

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In our last article, we spoke of Magical Paws. This is an extension of that article into a series on the Human Animal Bond (HAB). Magical Paws was about the ways that being in the presence of animals can be an avenue for us to stay aware of the present moment. In the present moment is where animals inhabit their lives, and the companionship of animals can teach us about everyday mindfulness. That article also…

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Staying Grounded Through Uncertainty

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There are various words that come to mind when seeking a way to represent the events of the past few months – virus, pandemic, chaos, uncertainty, sadness and fear, among others. As well, there are other words associated with the same stream of events – gratitude, calming, social connection, reconnecting to what’s important, and slowing down. Hope isn’t easy to come by and it is okay to honor your experience just as it is. There…

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Guest Author Desiree Sieben on Slowing Down

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Desiree Sieben is an avid rider, registered yoga teacher, mindfulness coach and personal trainer. She also has a background in animal health, as a Registered Veterinary Technologist. Through her business – Mane Equestrian Athletics – she supports the equestrian community with her teaching and promotion of rider fitness and wellness. In 2015 my world was turned upside down when I suddenly lost my horse. It was a partnership in which I had a lot more…

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Magical Paws

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The last few weeks have been fairly quiet on the Sharing The Now Horse Mindfulness blog. Outside of the blog world though, they have been anything but. Our lives have been turned upside down here at Spirit Farm by the arrival of a special little being, Riley. While this blog explores the ways in which being mindful (i.e. being compassionately and bravely tuned into the present moment just the way it is) can be cultivated…

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Connecting To Your Horse with Heart

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We recently offered a list of suggestions on how to connect with your horse by becoming aware of the present moment. You were invited to: 1. Set the Intention to connect, 2. Internally Notice your thoughts, feelings and body sensations and, 3. Watch Your Horse or observe them as accurately as you can. The last step we offer today, in keeping with the first week of 2020, and the tendency to create goals or resolutions…

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Guest Author Stephanie Dewes on Balance

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Today we have the pleasure of sharing an article by Stephanie Dewes, an accomplished equestrian and equine therapist who owns and manages the Miracle Mile Equine Center. In this article, she writes of the impact that balance, in all its various forms, holds in a meaningful horse-human relationship. Stephanie’s Bio: Thank you for inviting me to write for your blog! I was introduced to the horse industry at a young age and have remained active…

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Connecting with Your Horse: Watching Your Horse

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This is the third Step, after 1. Setting Intention and 2. Internal Noticing, in our series on connecting with your horse in a mindful way. For today’s post, we’d like to share an article by Anna Blake, reprinted with her permission, on Calming Signals and how we can impact the space between the horse and ourselves. Calming Signals are a collection of nonverbal signals demonstrated by horses to signify that they are in a stressful situation. They convey anxiety to us, and can be just as important to know about as the signs that horses are relaxed. Anna Blake, Horse Advocate, Author, Speaker and Equine Pro, has much to say about the subject on her blog. This particular article from her blog, Calming Signals: YOUR Response is an introduction to the topic. We invite you to read through her articles and learn more about this valuable source of insight.

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