Presented by E. Anne Porteous, MScN, EALF,
of Sierra Acres Equine Assisted Learning Centre
Horses are very sensitive to the energy we bring into the environment, which is not a bad thing, rather it is a learning opportunity. As prey animals, they see all emotion as information.
• Horses are well attuned to their immediate environment making them both intuitive and emotionally sensitive to the most minute gesture, posture, tension, tone, or “look” they receive.
• Horses respond to non-verbal stimuli including behaviors and feelings which we might not even be aware of in ourselves. They are in the moment, which provides useful feedback and the chance to learn new and healthier responses in our relationships.
• Horses give real-time feedback on every interaction offering you a perfect opportunity to increase self-awareness and see yourself in a more realistic, authentic way. They are nonjudgmental, making the environment safe for exploration. They notice everything criticize nothing.