17 years of living and working with horses has revealed insights into how horses communicate, how they perceive the world and what they want. The Five Practices are ways to train oneself to be safe and confident- the kind of leader a horse wants to follow. They can also help with leading people!
Here’s a brief overview…
“Being Present” (awareness and connection)
“Energy First” (mind then matter)
“Being in Rhythm” (conducting according to need)
“Yes And” (encouraging freedom & creativity)
“Release and Reset” (reduce, re-balance, redirect)
Being Present
Horses teach us, by necessity to be fully here, in the now. They help us work towards a unified state where all parts of a person (thoughts, feelings, body) can come into concert.
An effective leader is present to those they wish to lead- their gifts, knowledge, needs, strengths and weaknesses. They are also acutely aware of the ecology and what’s going on around and within themselves. This practice provides a conductivity and potency that supports true change and growth.
2. Energy First
This can be partly summed up in the saying "less is more". Indirect pressure is what horses use to communicate with each other most of the time- a look, a gesture or even just a thought can get another horse moving. Horses are very capable of reading our intentions and to physically push, pull or kick a horse around is usually unnecessary causing loss of willingness from the horse. Direct contact is needed at times, but it’s not the first principle of engaging with a horse. Horses relate strongly to what a person is thinking, feeling and the strength of their will. So, we always begin with clarity of intention and reason- energy first!
3. Being in Rhythm
Horses are rhythmic creatures and partnering with them is truly a dance. To earn their trust and show them that we can be fluent in their language, it helps to be aware of one's own rhythms both inner (heartbeat, breath) and outer (walking, arm movements etc.). Music can help, or simply setting a rhythm by which you brush or walk the horse. When riding, it’s important to set the pace and for the horse to listen and respect your wishes. The rider also needs to be aware of the mood and speed of the horse they are with and work in tandem.
A leader needs to know when to apply pressure and when to release it and this is clear in a visceral way with horses. They need that clarity from moment to moment. Correct dosage of pressure is important too. When this practice is learned, we engage in a fluid dance with the horse on the ground and under saddle and feel more integrated with the symphony of life.
4. Yes And....
This practice combines positive reinforcement with confidence and trust building for horses (or people) who need to move past blocks in themselves so they can try new things. Anyone who has worked awhile with a feisty horse knows there is no point in trying to shut down their energy or tell them “NO, that is wrong.” Natural horse behaviors sometimes scare people but it does not mean they are wrong or malicious. As their leader, a person must acknowledge the horse’s reactions as valid, seek to understand them and find safe, attractive ways to show them other options.
An effective horse person is always looking for ways to win the horse's agreement, trust and ability to ‘say yes’ and they are always rewarding their efforts, however small.
5. Release and Reset
Are you able to change your intention or an emotion at will? Are you master of your own states and actions? For most of us it takes practice! When working with flight animals, it is essential to know when to pause and reset. If a person is trying to lead their horse to do something and the horse refuses and shuts down, or gets confused and stressed out, it will usually not help to do more of the same thing. Knowing when it is time to stop, release and reset is essential and also grows humility- an essential quality for any leader.
We can learn to accurately read our horse’s cues, and to trust our instincts in responses to difficult situations with a horse.