Category: Horse Human Relationship

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: 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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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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Connecting with Your Horse: Internal Noticing

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We continue today with our list of strategies to meaningfully connect with your horse. This series of posts explores how mindfulness allows you to connect with the people and animals in your life. The first step, as we mentioned last week, is Step 1. Setting Intention, or consciously making a decision to connect with your horse in this present moment. Shifting your mental, emotional and physical focus in this way creates a space wherein a…

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Connecting with Your Horse: Setting Intention

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To honour the arrival of our horses at our farm this past weekend, we would like to embark on a series of posts on how mindfulness allows you to connect with the people and animals in your life. Our upcoming book project, Sharing The Now: Connecting With Your Horse through Mindfulness, explores just that topic. This blog has the broader purpose of inviting readers to learn more about being mindfully aware, dropping into awareness of…

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Guest Author: Diane Priebe on Slowing Down

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We are delighted to introduce another guest author at the blog today, Diane Priebe. Shreyasi first met Diane through volunteering at the SAFE Team Rescue in Edmonton, an organization that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes unwanted cats who would otherwise be euthanized. Over the years, they discovered another common aspect – a love of horses. Diane is completing her certification to become an Equine Facilitated Wellness Mental Health Therapist, and is offering this expertise in her…

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Bringing out the Welcome Mat: Staying mindful to the hard stuff

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You may remember the poem we posted on Instagram a few weeks ago, The Guest House by the Sufi poet Rumi. This poem is often quoted in mindfulness based therapy programs and in other venues as a way to explain what it means to mindfully accept the present moment, even when it feels unacceptable or painful. In this poem, Rumi refers to different emotions as guests visiting the guesthouse and invites the reader to “welcome…

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