The Herd Inside (ourselves)

After walking through the fresh snow, the horses, the children, and I safely arrived at the indoor arena. As a facilitator of Equine Guided Learning, I have a primary responsibility to keep the horses and children safe. But here is the catch: I am not a school teacher or a drill sergeant. I am a facilitator which means that I am guiding people to learn what they need to learn, NOT what I think they need to learn.

It is a delicate balance, but it mostly requires that I trust my team of horses. They do most of the work. I only provide the space, and hold the container for the best and highest purpose for all. It requires my full awareness and that I pay attention to all that is happening, and all at the same time!

This does not happen magically. It takes work. I have been working with this herd offering kindness and love. I spend time getting to know them. Each lesson, I prepare them by giving them the opportunity to learn the activity before the people arrive.

In other words, I spend time building a relationship with the herd. I give them “fun” time with play and games, along with challenging them to try new things. We work three to four days per week on exercise, play, new games, and building trust. I introduce them to new things to build their confidence and keep them curious.

Fundamentally, each session with clients, I am required to surrender. Life happens. I have an idea for a lesson, but it is never exactly as I planned. Ben Franklin said it best, “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Each session is like waiting for a pie to rise in the oven. Some days, the pie rises when you least expect it.

With this new group of children, we walk a few laps around the arena. Then we switch by leading different horses. Each horse has its own personality and its own way of being. Fluff walks very slowly and usually follows others. Hunter wants you to walk with him and requires you to keep up at his pace. Pixie is building confidence and sometimes questions by throwing her head. Romeo is a stud. He will walk with you with no effort. A horse like Romeo has a different type of challenge.

Each person is required to adapt and adjust to the different styles and personalities. We return to the barn with the horses, and then gather around to share one thing we learned and one thing that we want to learn more about.

One of the girls, who has been riding horses at another barn, takes me by surprise. She said, “I want to learn how to bond with Hunter.” Many of the students said that they want to learn how to have a relationship with the horse.

No words! How does this happen? I guess by preparing, and then by letting go and surrendering. The horses always have a better plan than my limited dreams. Contrary to popular belief, we are herd creatures. Accessing the herd inside (ourselves) is safe when we let it.

If you would like to know more about Equine Guided Learning, or my bi-monthly “Listening with the Herd,” contact me at cam@camronadibi.com

All my posts are free. If you are a paid subscriber or a founding member, you are helping care for the horses with their feed, vet care and new equipment.

Camron Adibi is an Equine Human Connection Therapist and a PATH Therapeutic Riding Instructor who holds graduate degrees in education and architecture. He offers Equine Guided Learning for children and adults of all backgrounds and ages, who are facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or emotional/social difficulties. He also offers “Listening with the Herd,” as an invitation to explore sound, movement and breathing with horses. He has a mission to improve horse and human interactions through education and storytelling. Oh yeah, and Cam is a sailor with a captain's license. www.camronadibi.com