Winter time provides a good time to slow down a bit with your horse and to build on your relationship. The early dark, the cold, poor footing, wet weather, that often comes with winter, can be that friend that slows you down, and reminds you that not everything needs to be driven and goal-oriented. That sometimes, it’s just wonderful to let things unfold in a slower, more natural way. To watch your horse explore things at his chosen pace, and to build and work on trust and partnership with him, void of any obligation on his part.
Now is the time to take a break and really see the being in your horse. To understand what you really have of his attention and interest in you. Is he staying to hang out with you? Will he follow you around without the promise of a treat? Is he engaged and curious about you and his surroundings? What else might you become aware of? How is he moving on his own? Does he look even, soft and balanced? Does he look peaceful and content? Can you read him well enough to tell if he is in any pain or has any concerns about his environment that you could fix or help him with? Where, of all places, if any, does he enjoy to be scratched? I call this deep dive into your horse “seeing the being”.
This is a good time of year to observe your horse, to reflect on your partnership, to offer friendship, to understand, and gauge what you are transmitting to him in the way of energy, expectations and intentions. It’s a good time of year to feel your gratitude for him. It’s a great time to just hang out, explore, and even play together. No treats and no force, just presence, awareness, generosity, gratefulness and invitation. Invite him to meditate with you. Invite him to explore with you. Invite him to just be while you softly observe.
Like a nice tight bud slowly growing in its dormancy through the winter months without force in the spring, your relationship with your horse will surely be blooming. Happy Solstice. Happy New Year.
If you could make one New Year’s resolution this year, please:
Be the seeing. See the being.
