by John R. Killacky as published in the vtdigger.org
“This delightful bit of insight is centered around the world of a boarding barn, where different equines and humans mix in an tight and intimate group. Another dimension of equine interaction goes to those who live with their horses, on their own land; communication and exchange is continual with support coming from other like families within the expanded equine community. Be it global or centered in a simple stall, the bond between human and horse is unlike any other. Enjoy.” ~ R.T.
In yoga I’ve learned the term kula, a Sanskrit word for an intentional community. As I journey through my day, I realize I have many kulas, all with different shared values and norms. Family, workplace, friends and neighbors – these are some of the communities I inhabit.
There’s another at the barn where I board my Shetland pony. Here status is irrelevant. The virtues of simplicity are revealed through mundane chores. It’s really hard to be grand mucking out stalls or pounding through ice in frozen buckets.
People’s identities are determined through their relationships with their equines. Morgans, thoroughbreds, quarter horses, my Shetland and others are boarded together — each breed has certain characteristics. And every animal also has a distinctive personality: bombproof, flighty, cranky, laid back or hyper. Like people, they change with age, and human gravitas is earned as we adapt to their behavior.
I’ve now been part of the barn long enough to see little kids on lesson horses grow up to be like the teens they once admired. They amaze me as they pick themselves up after being thrown and jump right back into the saddle. They teach me that fear is to be overcome, or at least managed.
But I really feel part of the late night adult crew. Lawyers, researches, teachers and administrators – we don’t spend a lot of time talking about day jobs, more on what our animals have been up to. Feeding, care, and training tips are topics of conversation. The norm here is to offer advice only when asked. Conversely, request help and everyone is willing.
Success is hard won in the training arena. Mastery is elusive, failure and setbacks are routine. Everyone struggles to improve their dressage and jumping, or for me, learning the fine points of driving my pony from a cart. Trainers and off-site clinics help, but just as important, barn mates are crucial to any improvement I make.
But when my Shetland whinnies, all else are left behind. We’re not two separate beings, but one, as I lose myself in the intense focus of grooming and working with her; other times we play with no agenda.
As she grazes, I stand beside her, trying to be mindful as we observe each other. She is fundamentally joyful, inquisitive, and spontaneous – all traits I want more of. In knowing her, I learn more about myself and carry this back into my other worlds.
Categories: The Force of the Horse
Truer words were never spoken! I remember the evening atmosphere at the barn where my horse lived – it was all about being with your horse. Everything else disappeared – work – family etc! Miss it.
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Hard for me to worry about life when my thighs are clenched to a bare back pad and we’re adventuring off down the river. All else shrinks away.
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Great thoughts and the phrase “other times we play with no agenda” sure brought back some great memories.
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How you know that you’re a Horse Person
You love the smell of Horses more than that “new car” smell
You are usually covered with dirt, Horse hair (and other stuff)
You prefer to spend your day mucking out the barn or grooming your Horse rather than go shopping or watch sports
You probably keep your veterinary supplies in your refrigerator or kitchen cupboard
You just don’t understand people who don’t understand Horse People
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Crazy Horse people http://news.distractify.com/people/personal/dang-horse-people-you-crazy/?v=1
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Now if I could afford to retire in CA and could afford Starbucks —-it could not get any better than this “horses and coffee.
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Love this video…
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What a great place! Sounds like maybe walking horses? However the financial aspects of retiring to CA AND being able to afford Starbucks does come up…
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Horse and Burro People
Paco – Habitat for Horse’s Donkey Mascot
http://www.habitatforhorses.org/paco-habitat-for-horses-donkey-mascot/
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