Building Trust Through Horses
True and unbridled trust in others can be hard to come by. But having meaningful and healthy relationships in our lives is reliant upon being able to trust, so it’s critical to find avenues to rebuild it. Even so, for many individuals, past experiences have left them wary and cautious, making it even more challenging to open up to others. These experiences may stem from broken relationships, traumatic events, or even personal insecurities.
Horses, however, have an innate ability to connect with people on an emotional level, providing a non-judgmental and safe space for individuals to rebuild trust. With their gentle and intuitive nature, horses have emerged as unexpected but remarkable partners in this journey. And equine assisted learning (EAL) specifically has gained popularity for its ability to help individuals learn to trust humans once more.
Horses communicate primarily through body language and energy. They are highly sensitive to our emotions and can detect even the slightest shifts in our feelings. This sensitivity encourages individuals to become more self-aware and better understand the non-verbal cues they emit. Learning to communicate with a horse effectively often translates to improved communication with humans, leading to a relationship built on clarity.
Horses also provide immediate feedback, so when a person is anxious or aggressive, they may become agitated or distant. On the other hand, when a person approaches with calmness and respect, the horse responds positively. This instant feedback helps individuals recognize the impact of their behavior on others, fostering a greater sense of self-awareness and empathy. And this is important because trust is a two-way street. So as trust develops between a person and a horse, it becomes clear that taking the time to build a connection yields the best results. These lessons often transfer to human relationships, encouraging individuals to be patient and empathetic with others.
For those individuals who have deep emotional wounds, it can be especially challenging to trust others. So interacting with horses in a therapeutic setting can be a cathartic experience, allowing individuals to process their emotions and begin the healing process. The sense of acceptance and connection with a horse can help them regain their trust in the goodness of human relationships.
Finally, horses can be both empowering and humbling. As individuals learn to successfully interact with, care for, or even ride a horse, they gain a sense of accomplishment and confidence. These small victories can have a profound impact on self-esteem and the ability to trust oneself, which is often the first step toward trusting others.
Horses offer a unique and effective path towards rebuilding trust in humans. Their non-judgmental nature, sensitivity to emotions, and capacity to provide instant feedback make them remarkable partners in the journey to healing and being able to more freely trust others once again. For these reasons, EAL has become a beacon of hope for many, and it may be able to help you too. Contact Spirit Mountain Healing Services at 480-988-2165 or michelle.spiritmountain@gmail.com to learn more.
