EQUINE CULTURE & RIDING

Epona Guide opens the path to the human becoming more “sensitive” to equine culture and herd language. This approach of learning and understanding the nuances of the equine mind and culture allows the horse and human to connect on a new level with confidence, and mutual respect. As the horse and human build individual confidence and mutual communication skills both can synergize, resulting in two beings co-creating in the dance of a harmonious partnership.

The Approach

Equine Culture and Mind

Please take a moment to think about the horse and maybe even think like a horse. It’s important to note, that horses are herbivores, therefore a prey animal, and they think very differently than humans or dogs. As omnivores, human beings embody characteristics of both predator and prey. It was the predator in mankind that was capable of domesticating the dog and cat!

That actually means as humans, we are inherently the horse’s natural enemy. (I am so absolutely amazed at how much trust these majestic beauties give us! What an honor!) So, shall we consciously and purposefully learn the language of the horse, for the horse and with the horse with the purpose of communicating in harmony with another sentient being?

Herd Language and Connection

Horses are highly social and prefer to live in a herd.  The language of the horse is body language and they actually use more positive reinforcement with one another verses punishment. So, from catching up in the stall or pasture, to grooming, leading, tacking up, ground work, riding, we are always speaking volumes with our body language and our emotional state of mind.   

Horses also have several personality types and they take on natural roles & responsibilities within the herd.  With all that being said, the more we understand herd language, personality traits and the natural roles a horse lives by, the better we are able to inspire them to co-create and truly want to give us their heart and soul in partnership with us.  

Because horses are preyed upon, they have very keen senses and they tune into the intentions of those beings around them. By the way, we humans are also born with that “gut feeling”, which is the same intuitive sense or sixth sense. Some horses tune in at a much more heightened level than others with more reactionary instincts. Some horses wear their feelings of frustration, confusion, and/or fear “on their sleeve” while others lock up internally, freeze up, without many outwardly signs recognized by most humans and then if pushed, they can blow up in a big way. The more we tune in and learn to read and feel the energy and emotions of a horse, our communication becomes very clear and concise and that is when the magnificent dance of harmony and synergy begins.

As horsemen & women, it’s so very important to really begin to observe and understand the equine language, as they use it, in their way, in their world. In learning and understanding this non-verbal, intuitive language with horses we discover our own intuition, self-understanding and self-growth which sets us on a journey far beyond the realm of horsemanship.

Grab your boots

Clinics & Workshops - See our Events page for upcoming events

Private Lessons & Coaching - Schedule 1 hour session here - Enhance your equine partnership with riding, ground work, and level up within your chosen equine activity, sport, or competition. Yes, we work with Beginners through Advanced!

Connect with us on our Contact Page for further questions or inquires. We look forward hearing from you!