I’m sure that you are all aware of how special horses are. Each day with your horse is a present, and you find profound faith in taking care of and riding your horse.

The horse-human relationship is unlike any other because they have been our friends, our therapists, our dreams, and our healers. Horses move us and truly understand our intentions and boundaries. Horses have the ability to change us for better and we can become more aware of our state of mind and emotions, identify how our body language, mental health, and energy affects us and others around us just by having horses in our life. Below we have prepared a list with 10 valuable lessons that horses can teach us about relationships.

1.Communication

The way people interact and develop their rapport with horses is usually a representation of how they do so in relationship with others. Horses communicate using body language, therefore people learn to be careful of these hints they see as well as their own body language as they respond. Being aware of this fact raises consciousness and causes change to adapt to new and more practical ways of engaging with others.

2.Limits

Boundaries are a fundamental part of all good relationships. It is each person’s duty to teach others, including horses, how to approach them. While most horses are soft and kind, it cannot be expected that they will always fit the model of being a “good guy.” And while most of the horses can be very charming, that absolutely does not mean they can do whatever they please! Rather than that, people learn to be more active in establishing boundaries with other horses which promotes faith and respect. A similar dynamic is particularly true in human relationships.

3. Leadership

Just like us humans, horses will usually see what they are permitted to get away with. Horses can teach us how to be confident by virtue of setting limits with them. To be productive and safe with the horse, people must be a little bit aggressive, matching their needs with the horse’s requests, and adopt leadership qualities. Otherwise, the horse will lead wherever he likes to go and do anything he likes.

4.Trust

Working with a huge animal such as a horse creates the perfects opportunity to defeat fear and develop confidence as many may be originally frightened. This becomes a symbol of facing other difficulties, and while horses are huge on the outside, they are little on the inside.

5.Connection

Horses are very social animals and they depend on other members of the herd for security. They truly portray the meaning of “strength in numbers.” Horses show the value of having a group who cares about you instead of isolation that many humans tend to do in stressful situations.

6.Being Present

Horses simply follow their instincts and don’t worry about the past or about the future. Being near a horse invites a person to also cherish the present, raise awareness of their surroundings, and feel the here and now. Being present, or engaging in mindfulness, is essential to coping with life and reducing distress.

7.Managing Emotions

Due to horses being prey animals, they are very vigilant and able to identify human emotions. Horses react to this information equally. Through this honest feedback, people increase awareness about their sentiments and also experience that by transforming themselves, the horses will usually answer differently.

8.Honesty

Horses are trustworthy and real animals. They follow their impulses and they hope that humans will also be honest. If a person doesn’t behave well, the horse will have a hard time understanding if the person is safe. Being honest is the key to reconnecting and developing an authentic self.

9.Self-Care

Horses display great self-care by eating when they feel hungry, escaping when there is danger, and scraping their heads on a place when they have an itch. Though they are delicate to others, as prey animals, their main focus is taking care of themselves (and their herd). When a person is with a horse, they are accountable for taking care of themselves.

10.Surrender

It is very likely to influence a horse, but a horse cannot be managed as they are beings with a mind of their own. While staying with horses, things will not always go as anticipated or as expected, requiring acceptance. By accepting, important models in being soft and letting go are learned. Finally, being with a horse lacks vulnerability, or eagerness to let go of control.