Wakey; Wakey - MOT's & Emotional Audits Calling!

“Intolerance of your present creates your future”...

 

...A popular saying but do we know what it means and how to turn it to our advantage?

Similar expressions include "if we keep doing what we've always done, we'll continue to get what we've always got".  I've heard it say that insanity is "doing the same things but expecting different results"

What links these sayings is our ability to change our mind set - to experience a paradigm shift. That seems to be the one constant in my life since Essy hit me with his message that "humans have to wake up".

Waking up doesn't have to mean knowing exactly where we are heading in life, but it does mean taking more than an idol curiosity in the journey.  It means asking questions of ourselves and taking an active part in the proceedings not just going with the flow.  It can mean challenging expectations and norms, paying attention to things that go wrong - illnesses and injuries, relationship changes, people that show up and opportunities that catch your attention.

NOTICE WHAT YOU NOTICE and you'll wake up!

I'm always impressed by the work people will put in to changing their lives or their own behaviour.  Two recent examples include a man I am working with who is determined to conquer his anger and rage and not lose the one lady in his life who means everything to him.  Then there is a middle aged lady whose ridden all her life but had recently had a few falls from her new youngster - causing her to stop in her tracks and reassess what she's doing and why. 

Two different but similar scenarios. Both want to change and get to grips with their demons and stop their present reality becoming their future. Both are willing to do the work!  Both are learning the value of being honest (with self and others) and how to have self compassion.  

People get it!  When we are in pain (emotional, physical, or spiritual) we have all it takes to create whatever future we desire.

We have to want change

We have to be dissatisfied with the present

We have to do some work

Creating a new future means changing in the present - what we do, what we say, why and to whom.  Knowing WHY we do and say the things we do, in the present, means delving into our past.  Delving not dwelling; and there's a big difference!

What has been so powerful in working with Margrit Coates is that it has opened up to me my horses' past - 'pre me' - it has filled in some of the gaps that until then I'd only been able to make guesses about.  Going forward I don't think I'd even BUY a horse without asking Margrit to visit first. Seriously. Think about it; when we date a new partner, or interview for a new job we want to hear all about their past - experiences, successes as well as plans for the future.  With practise and experience we learn to spot the potential 'train wrecks' ahead of time and step off or say "no"!

When buying a new horse (or taking one on loan) we road test them mounted, we check their stable manners, and get the vet to do the physical MOT.  Who does the emotional audit? How do we know what we are getting into from an emotional fitness perspective, with a horse?

Why wouldn't we want to know more about the horses past trauma, treatment, fears, ability to cope with pressure, attitude towards work, comfort under saddle etc?  Wouldn't that tell us as much (if not more) about the likely quality of the relationship we will have with that horse,  than any vet check?  I'm not against vet checks.  I'm not saying don't have one.  I'm saying don't stop there!

When we pay for a 5 stage vet check often we want to rule out future costly injuries, illnesses. Yet we might want to remember that most cases of emotional in-balance will also manifest itself as illness, lameness, poor condition etc.  Any compromised or stressed internal organ will result in a sick horse.  Internal organ health can not be seen by a vet.  Blood tests aren't always accurate enough to show up problems. Besides which, without a history of regular blood tests for that horse its an isolated picture without any context for what is "normal" health and well being for him or her.

We have to have a way to check below the surface and not just focus on what we can see!

This is a picture of Essy in November 2010 - not a well boy!  After £2000 of vet checks, tests, steroids, blood tests, skin analysis, allergy testing, bedding changes, stable sterilisation, box rest, new rugs, new grooming brushes, dietary elimination,  we had no cause and no solution.

I'm not blaming the vets but feeling miserable and desperate to help Essy, I went holistic.  I found Equine Iridology.  It diagnosed a seriously stressed kidney and liver problem not revealed by blood tests.  The solution....?  HERBS!

After less than one week on a James Hart Liver Tonic and Dandelion Root (daily) every lump had gone and did not return.  With careful management it should not reoccur. 

Whenever I suspect Essy's immune system is struggling I put him back on a Tonic to suit the symptoms. Essy, Solar Sue and Grace now have a large offering of self selection herbs offered to them daily. They select the ones they need.  As I'm no expert in how nature works to restore an animals health I will quote others research and point out that only this week the Daily Mail reported on Oregano's amazing anti-bacterial properties.

Oregano can beat MRSA said the researched based article.  It is more effective than any man made product at fighting the bacteria!

The world is waking up!  We are waking up.  Our horses are helping us.  If Essy hadn't had this terrible break out I wouldn't have turned to Iridology, found James Hart's Tonics, or discovered the power of herbs and essential oils for healing, health and well being.

I didn't wake up one morning in 2010 and think to myself - "I must explore the power of Margarine and Parsley!"  Nor did I (consciously) wish a poorly horse upon myself.  But, what if....I needed to step up and wake up to another level? What if I am here to help prove the value in not giving up on our horses (or ourselves)?  What if.....I don't even know why this happened - yet!

Then for me to wake up I had to have a sick horse to learn from. (Another extraordinary example of  selfless giving from our horses).  How much responsibility would I be willing to take, versus leaving it to the vets?  How open minded was I to other solutions that help me discover more about a horse, its' nature, it's true needs and make up?

The mind shift that happened as a result - I could not have imagined.  What I know now is that Einstein was nothing short of legendary when he said:

"no problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it"

I am convinced that if we want to wake up then our horses will open up to us many new and exciting options to explore that will raise our levels of consciousness.

Going forward,

* Would I want to know if my horse had a compromised immune system?  

Yes. 

* Would I consider iridology as part of my pre-purchase 'health check' MOT?  

Yes.  

* Would I want to know how to bring out the best of my horses emotionally? 

Yes.  

* Would I invest in an Animal Communicator as part of my 'pre-purchase' routine?  

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Would this be additional expense? In literal terms yes.  Experts cost money.  What's the upside?  Analytically speaking: if I want a return on my horse investment I'd say the odds are looking good the more I check out upfront-  I'd know all sides of my balance sheet not just what makes up the revenues - the glory piece!

Would I walk away from a horse who presented concerns based on either of my new pre-purchase checks?  That depends.   After all, waking up doesn't mean a guarantee of always making a smart decision!  Doesn't the fun of being human entail getting it right sometimes, and other times, not!

The good news is that waking up actually means that even when we get it wrong -we get it right!  Providing we notice! Providing we listen, learn and grow a little more from the experience. Then, every event or encounter becomes an important part of what we draw from for the future.  If its true that 'today is determined by the past, tomorrow is determined by today' then wouldn't we want to spend today wide awake; soaking up life's little details that fill the wind and inspire our heart?

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins130982.html#t4HtFbrmFFuZQdKI.99

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins130982.html#t4HtFbrmFFuZQdKI.99

No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins130982.html#t4HtFbrmFFuZQdKI.

“You can have anything you want - if you are willing to give up the belief that you can’t have it.”

Daily Mail Article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1088893/MRSA-wiped--OREGANO-say-British-scientists.html

Energy Matters...

"The truth dazzles gradually, or else the world would be blind" 

 

- Emily Dickenson 

I was 14 when I first wondered "how do humans and horses connect?"  "How do horses know what to do when we move a leg forward or backwards against their side as we ride?'  How do they know we want them to canter versus turn right or left?  How can such small movements by the rider be understood by a horse?

Trainers tell me its a combination of repetition of requests, positive reinforcement when the horse gets it right, and correct use of pressure and release.  All very logical. Yet, in dressage the human movements are so subtle and sometimes differentiated by just millimetres that I wonder if its really all about physical actions or is something else contributing to how we connect? 

Arthur C. Clark wrote "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" - is there a technology to riding?  For sure there are plenty of technical aspects to be learnt in riding, and many riders do learn the aids, proper position etc yet they don't always achieve the magical results we see at demos, or top level competitions.  It seems technique alone isn't enough!

Many of us search for that missing 'X Factor' beyond technique and can end up exploring extremes testing the limits of what a technique can deliver and what it can not. Examples include using special bridles, head collars, ropes, whips and other man made gadgets or abandoning it all in favour of working our horses using only our breath, energy or being 'at liberty'.  All extremes in action!

In developing my connection with my own horses I have to keep reminding myself that they are horses!

Sounds a little crazy I know, but it helps to re-focus me away from "technique-ing" my way through every situation.  Horses, we know are prey animals but to remember this means we must accept that unpredictability comes with working with them. So, it makes sense for us to have a variety of approaches at our disposal so we are flexible in which we use, in any given situation.

So if 'technique' is only half the equation? What makes up the rest?

What if ....energy is the missing ingredient?  At least that would be good news to those of us on a budget - it comes free of charge, doesn't need a license to use, and is available to anyone!

In quantum physics the concept of Zero-point energy, is the lowest possible energy something can have. With our horses this is not something we often explore, to our detriment. If we can be aware of energy levels (as if they travel from us to our horses like 'waves'), means we could (with practise) consciously manage our flow of energy; learning to bring it down, maintain it, or take it up as needed. (See earlier blog: Experts on; Experts off, or Hard Work Nonsense).

To practise working with Zero point energy, take hold of an orange in your hand.  Then focus your attention on using less energy to hold it.  Use the absolute least amount of energy possible. Then widen your practice to include how you grip objects and how you get in and out of a chair - using as little of yourself and your energy as possible!

Our ability to tap into energy could be our best way of being able to mirror, match and lead our horses to a place of physical, mental and emotional relaxation, and connection with us. Then transfer this to the saddle (See earlier post: Ghandi Inspired Riding).

Could energy be the missing ingredient in the ultimate connection between horse and human? Could the answer to some of the following questions be found in working with energy?...

1. Has my horse checked out mentally or is he/she playing games when on the lunge? What does the difference look and feel like?
2. Is he/she paying enough attention to me to pick up on any small change in 'me' that I make? Or, am I invisible to him?
3. Am I being consistent? Clear? Is my timing good? 
4. Is my energy low, medium or high? How do I know?  Does my horse notice the difference?
5. Do my horses believe me; my requests,  believe and trust in me? 
6. Do I change my energy when I get the right response from my horse?
7. Can I consciously change and direct my energy?

In my Parelli work I'm encouraged  to work with the concept of "Chi" (life force/energy) to learn to bring it up, or down.  A typical practical application is to bring your Chi up before asking for an upward transition.  "Belly breathing" means we can do the very same when in the saddle.

Just as the universe gives us lots of 'clues' about the direction to take (or not) in life, we can give energetic clues to make it easy for our horse to do the right thing when we ask, BEFORE we ask it.  That's a concept I like.  Sounds fair, compassionate and ethical (a subject for another blog, another day)!

I love watching out for signs in my horses of a lack of even, consistent energy flow. Grace jumping into trot suggests she hasn't worked out yet how to do that transition smoothly. Her body must have tension in it.  She could of course lack physical strength too. Rather than 'get at her' or get frustrated with my own skills, thinking about energy means I have a new language to explore: "Is her energy forwards enough? Is she thinking forwards? Where is my energy sending her and how?"

I love the synchronicity of the concept of working with energy even as I write.  For the last week my own energy level has raised (consciously) by some amazing yoga, meditation work and reiki while on holiday in Mauritius.  As if to match that energetic change in me, life has already opened up some great new opportunities in a matter of days.

Taking the time to connect with a bigger energy field in me and in the environment around and observing my breath without trying to change it, are great experiences to bring back and apply with my horse work.  It began today!

Holidays are rejuvenating. They provide a rare opportunity for us to slow down and recover our mental and physical energy.  In yoga we learn that tension is your enemy.  To get a deeper stretch we have to accept, breathe and relax.

Yoga is a whole body and mind experience. It is a very personal journey.  In Tai Chi we slow all our movements down to almost slow motion pace. If we want our horses to think all the way down to their feet, to move through stress and to be responsible for manoeuvring obstacles, then moving our own energy around, and eradicating any physical tension must be of benefit in helping our horse to do the same, while we are together.

Horse training means making sure we have the 'whoa and the go' firmly in place before we embark on riding! My priority is checking out the brakes; half halts, disengaging the hind quarters etc. But, can we do the same within ourselves? Can we easily change direction or perspective, or do we always watch TV from the same chair?  Can we easily stop and do less? Give in to do nothing? Stop thinking and focus on our breathing only? Try it for 15 seconds! It is hard!

Parelli and Yoga both honour the principles of starting where you start, work slowly and progressively- accepting where you are and not comparing yourself with others. It's the journey not the destination!

I'm convinced as we evolve in our understanding of horses, and as we wake up to a higher level of self awareness, that working with energy will become an 'old fashioned' tool that every horseman uses.  In the words of Einstein...

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it"

... which I hope means there's more to discover that will take us beyond working with energy into new realms we aren't even yet considering - except in our imagination!