Trimmed by Mother Earth

 There is much written on barefoot trims. 

One things seems certain, most horses are shod to pathology.

Those caring for Insulin Resistant horses will focus on diet.

Body workers focus on imbalances of the musculo-skeleton system.

All are correct, all fall short...

Very few ponder our impact as riders on a spine that was not meant to be a weight-bearing mechanism.

Below are a few pics of the feet from horses in the feral herd.

Note the compact shape of feet trimmed by volition and Mother Earth.

Note most horses can stand "square", evenly bearing weight on well muscled limbs. 

Note the shape of the hooves of babes and adults.

Look at a shod horses hoof and see how domestication insults the foundation of locomotion.

Where does lameness come from? Our inability to honor self.

I am fascinated by the work of Linda Harris and her Anatomically Correct Trim 

Life is one big learning curve.

Free to Roam with Wild Beings

I need to be a child of Earth.

Free to roam with wild beings,

They teach the deepest truths.

Free to roam in abundance of large beasts,

that know the ancient ways of this planet

and all Her regenerative secrets.

Free to dance,

With wild flower, Spring delight.

This is how the body prays, 

And Creator knows my ecstacy,

Of being alive and at peace.

There is a place in this wonderous area I live, where feral ponies roam. Thought to be escapees from old ranches, most of Morgan descent. I have a soft spot in my heart for Morgan's. Those of you reading this that were lucky enough to be blessed by the Equine Guided Healing sessions that Penny the wonder Morgan provided know what I mean. 

That beautiful little mare was a Master Energy worker, we would sit on the ground in her presence, every head bowed, by the time we would rise, most folks were stunned at how "looped" they felt. I would have them sit for about half an hour, then they seemed to be back in themselves and ready to return to the artificial world we made. Sacred work no words are suited for. Animals and Nature excel at this - if we know how to listen. It makes all our man-made accolades in the horse world seem so frivolous and ego centered. 

Such profound experiences found in open space and unfettered souls provide a grandness of spirit no metal in the mouth, contrived show can match, in my opinion. Most have no reference point of such experience to really comment without coloring the conversation with their own agenda. 

This herd gives such an escape from human made, material madness. Being in the presence of 80+ horses, 6 bands of various families, consisting of a Stallion, his hareem and babies. A band of bachelors rounds out the large family. Young males of many species are driven into these bachelor bands, till one day they too may have a family of their own, if they prove capable of protecting and passing on strength.

The herd is on privately owned land and managed by an incredible woman. Diana has taken on the massive task of managing the herd. Supplemental feedings keep the herd fortified, yet still dependent on the land and season for forage. Some of the young males are gelded to prevent excessive fighting.

 Nature is tough taskmaster, Diana faces the hard decisions with a fortitude that is necessary in such situations, without loosing heart or the animals' best interest. I do admire this lady. The BLM would do well to learn from her, as Mustangs face such bleak outcomes as they are rounded up and wait in hot, unsheltered pens for adoption. 

In days of old, the Oak Creek Horses would be shot. Such is the thought process of many ranchers and the mentality of lack, the horses were seen as competing for forage ranchers feel belongs to cattle. Much like in the early days of culling the Mustangs for pet food. I know this earth can and does provide for all, otherwise the babes would not come. It is generally human manipulations that induce lack, coupled with our pin-hole perceptions.

Our conditioning is to keep such beings at bliss a secret, but the fabric of Nature necessitates interdependence. If the herd grows too large, the area is over grazed, bands begin to compete, fighting and suffering ensues, much like in our human world. Diana does adopt out the horses. Those of us that have been around animals know they usually pick us, we don't pick them. I have always told people when working with Equine Guided Healing the horse will know more about you in 5 seconds than you will know about them in a lifetime. I still know this to be truth. Diana is a well versed in this universal and serendipitous dance of life. 

I think it is important for modern man to be exposed to any wild creature in charge of its volition. It gives opportunity for people to glean a freedom humans often talk about - but have no idea what it really can be. Most humans are so caged, in mind and body - we wouldn't know freedom if it kicked us in the ass. The cage is so comfortable, dumbing, numbing and lazy. Nuff said...

Many that visit this sacred place feel compelled to keep this gift private. We know the adulteration that humans can bring. I also know such sacred places keep certain beings out. Such areas have the ability to repel those not appreciative of such deep and life giving gifts. I have so learned to trust life.

There is an old matriarch in the herd Diana named Saturn. She's the lead horse in the duo pictured below. Those that know their planets know that Saturn is the celestial ruler and harsh taskmaster of truth. There was an elderly visitor to the herd this past weekend - Saturn made a rare appearance to meet the aged. She tends to be elusive and secluded. The knowing these beings possess...the gift she brought.

Most know I am in awe of matriarchs of any large herd. They know things, important things that keep the herd alive. I know there is permission one seeks when wanting communion with their teachings, a soul longing, no words, just a soul-pull. When granted, the keys of life are given to those that listen. No human teaching compares in my opinion. I find myself now living for this type of tutelage. It fills and frees me, unlike the limited perspective human teachings do.

After feeding, the herds rest, digestion is work. Babes are splayed out in the sun, sleeping so deep they snore. A few of the elders join. Without any outward sign, one of the Stallions, Tip moves. The sleeping babes leap to their feet, the mares and he move on to the water hole. The whole herd moves as one organism. Silent, yet knowing they move with purpose and direction. Other bands join in. Can humans communicate so effectively?

Nature does not care about the right or the wrong. These ideals in the human world have become draconian ways of manipulating the masses. Nature only cares about balance. She too is a harsh taskmaster and will do what is necessary in the cycles of destruction and creation to reach that place. A place humans know so little of, but hubris and ego fakes us into thinking we know, making us dangerous, manipulative and phony, birthing this insane society where children kill each other in schools. We so need to humble ourselves, learn from Nature, respect ourselves and each other, only then will life be precious again. 

Nature does not need government. Each being is kept in balance by forces of the whole, the land, the water available, the forces there of, every other being in the ecosystem has a voice, a place, a handicraft that contributes to the whole of its environment. They know when their bellies are full, they know to relax and enjoy the gratitude in that feeling. Tomorrow always takes care of itself - no matter what human ego and thoughts of lack drive us. How many two-legged know this? Let alone live it? I hope someday we find that respecting life comes not from an outside influence, consciousness comes from within.

Thank you Great Spirit, my heart sings, hear my overjoyed song!

There is a mare, Dory in need of a loving forever home. She has a crooked front foot that needs corrective trimming. She is not ridable. If  you feel this is a fit, please contact Diana at

OakCreekWildHorses.com

Friends of Oak Creek Horses Facebook page

 

 

Equine Guided Healing

 

Animal lovers have long known the healing power of animals. Their ability to love unconditionally and be fully present in the moment disables human defenses, melts and opens the heart, erasing the cares of modern life. They are the most phenomenal healers as they do not color their work with ego or agenda and have the ability to bring us back to a very pure and child-like state of being.

Shortcomings of the Spoken Word

Putting silent, sacred connections into words is difficult as language and the human intellect are not yet calibrated to do so effectively. The second stumbling block, words are symbols for things and experiences. Each individual will hear what is said and skew the information according to their life experience. A well intended conversation can take a wrong turn from there.

Welcome Equine Guided Healing

The horse serves as a guide to the ancient rhythm of the earth that man once had access to, as nomads roamed with large, matriarchal herds. Because of the horse, that wisdom and reverence for life contained within that era now has a chance to seep to new generations.

Restoring Energetic Courtesy

In doing healing work, it is customary to obtain the souls permission before proceeding. The same applies to the horse, or any being, when restoring this context. It brings people back to a place of non-verbal, energetic consideration, giving horse and human a chance to open the relationship with respect for the talents and limits of both parties. A gift at times, found lacking in the equestrian and modern world, as the will of the ego dictates more often than courtesy.

As an example, upon entering the horses’ stall space, one should extend a silent intent to connect with the animal. If the animal greets one, the invitation is open to enter the stall. Elementary, but often overlooked, much as one would seek permission to enter the home of another human being.

The same applies when entering the animal’s personal space. We all have had those folks that for whatever reason “get in our face” to exchange conversation. One takes a step back, they step in closer. The basic respect of boundaries and personal space, that invisible bubble around you (your energy field) has been defiled and the person doing so has no clue. The very foundation that makes this work so profound is that it will re-establish pure, subtle energetic connections that will make life appear to move magically; and all it boils down to is respecting and acknowledging the state of an individuals’ energy field.  In today’s fast paced society, this common courtesy and silent knowing, is often lost in the haste of modern life.

Restoring Security in an Uncertain World

When one secures an open-hearted, sincere connection with the horse, the foundation is laid via energetic courtesy. This energetic courtesy condenses down to either side voicing concern if ones’ safety or security is sensed to be compromised. While it sounds easy enough, many people have difficultly articulating their basic needs, let alone what one may perceive as threatening. The fear of ridicule and/or reprisal speaking such a truth may cause many to forgo the gift of integrity, and thus build their image from a false platform that will buckle under the tests of life.

Honoring this simple sentiment will allow the human to hear the prayer in the horse’s heart. When the chatter in the humans’ intellect begins to settle, the human begins to sense the prayer in their own heart that has been silenced in the cacophony of modern information. The prayer is to be honored with all our glories and shortcomings and accepted/loved enough in a sacred space to grow beyond those limits, just as the horse wants. As the human begins to incorporate these steps into their lives, the base and the crown of the energy field begin to function as they were designed to; rooting (Mother Earth) and enlightening (Father Sky) securing and inspiring the individual simultaneously.

The gift of learning to “be” evolves as the voice of ego and agenda dissolves. A new acceptance of oneself and other beings helps pave the way to deeper understanding, compassion and inspiration as individuals gracefully navigate the ebb and flow of life. This grants a new sense of strength and empowerment in most individuals, along with the wisdom to use that sovereignty with prudence. All this thanks to the ascendancy and grace of the horse.

 

 

Equine Guided Healing – Putting Ego and Agenda to Rest

A great disconnect occurred when humans placed themselves above the workings of the universe, putting value in our intellect and contriving, rather than working with the benevolent order of the planet and her treasures. By doing so, humans lost step in the celestial dance of the universe, leaving a legacy of a poisoned environment for future generations to inherit. No other being on this planet does this to its offspring.

Humans are part of the cycles of creation and destruction that this universe is predicated upon. When a human learns to make peace with this duality and not think of themselves above this fact, we almost immediately diffuse the potency of our destructive nature. The energy field becomes rooted in the goodness of Mother Earth, inspired by the omniscience of Father Sky and the heart (the gateway between heaven and earth in Traditional Chinese Medicine) is opened to interpret the will of self, others and the planet with influence that results in the good for all.

Creating a Sacred Space

When working with large herd animals like horses, it is imperative to provide humans a tool to keep themselves safe as they learn the energetic subtleties of timing and movement that makes seasoned horsemanship look like a seamless dance.

This tool is restoring energetic courtesy. Energetic courtesy provides a protected environment (sacred space) where both parties feel free to articulate when sanctuary feels compromised. In Equine Guided Healing, the courtesy is extended to the horse via non-verbal communication and subtle energetic shifts.

The Gifts of an Ego in Balance

The gift your ego brings should be to show you who you are, at any given moment, on any given day. Taking in all the factors that comprise the whole, the environment, the beings involved, the atmosphere; this helps to formulate an inspired course of action that results in the good of all and thereby keeps the ego in check. When this happens, you know who you are (strengths and limitations) and your place in the greater scheme of things. The ego will not have to scream as loud to be acknowledged or attempt to cover some perceived deficiency. As such, as deep sense of well being and being taken care of emanates.

This will change the rhythm of the heartbeats in humans. As the heart opens with the greater goodness, compassion and consideration of love, the horse senses this deep change in the heartbeat and the energy field; thus the horse finds the option of abandoning his wariness of the human predator, putting his trust in humankind. Deep belly breathing accompanies this state.

This is the motivation of having the horse work with us and not for us. A fine distinction often lost in the fervor of ego, agenda and faulty pre-programming humans can suffer from. When the human reaches this point of sincerity, the horse eagerly joins in. A host of exercises can be executed by horse and human without harm, coercion, intimidation or pain, as each is grounded, honored, inspired and loved in the moment beyond seeming expectations and limitations each has been yoked with through the ages.

A simple exercise that opens great awareness for most people is leading the horse from the right side. It is common to lead a horse from the horse’s left side, as most people are right handed. In doing so, the horse is throwing more weight on the right haunch; it can lead to lameness issues in the long run. It is the beginning of an imbalance started by “comfortable” handling. The right side is association with the masculine, the left side with the feminine.

This right-sided dominance causes most people to innately chose working the horse to the left in a ring (working off our right side), stressing certain tissues in the horse more than others. If the person is asked to work off their left-hand side, most find they are so atrophied; they will struggle to find the strength and balance to move the energy of the horse efficiently and with grace in the weak direction. Our natural tendency is to work off our dominant side. Thereby we transfer our imbalance to the horse (this is amplified if the horse is ridden). Most people will need to be told to move the horse in the opposite direction, to keep the animal balanced, but more importantly to begin balancing the human.

Most humans find that working from their left side softens not only their actions, but even how their footsteps connect with the ground. It opens their ability to sense the energy of the horse intuitively without having to “keep on eye on the horse”.  This is important as all predators (like humans) have their eyes facing forward on their faces, focusing hard with both eyes, locks our neck and shoulders, a very “predator” move.

The horse is an animal that is preyed upon (eyes set far apart on their heads, allowing almost a 360 degree field of vision). A hard focused stare sends to the horse a very ancient and disturbing feeling.

Using peripheral vision softens our predatory stance. Learning to “see” with our entire body and energy field connects with the horse much as herd members do. We are learning to work within the ancient hardwiring of the horse when we accomplish this basic shift. The horse willingly dances with us when this simple alteration is incorporated into human behavior.

A New Way to “Be”

In this open and mindful state, the human diffuses the ticking bomb of predatory thought. The opportunity arises to acknowledge the chaos and mess that life can be, and with the help of benevolent equines, humans can choose a less compelled path. This gives integrity a voice and more importantly a chance to be heard and acted upon. It helps humans to control and contrive less, be open to the wisdom of the planet and her other beings and provides a window for ancient prudence to grace new generations.

 

Journey to Stillness – Pure Communion with all that Surrounds You

At the close of a session of Equine Guided Healing, it is most common for people to feel at complete ease and peace. Some mention they don’t even know what the feeling is just that it is a very quiet, reflective state. Sad that modern life, for all its conveniences, rips the solid foundation of peace from under our feet.

When this disconnect from the planet and Her life occurs, man is left without the tool of the most ancient language the planet has ever known. The human has just been dis-empowered from the very planet that nurtures all life contained within the blue aura of Her atmosphere.

Must the Show Go On?

This deep peace changes the rhythm of the heartbeat and induces deep belly breathing. Animals’ sense when this “true” and peaceful state of being is reached [when subconscious (sacral center), conscious (heart center) and super-conscious (crown center) align – our actions/thoughts/beliefs are congruent]. In teaching others to work with animals from an energetic point of view many people with deep seated respect for other life forms act from this place naturally and the miracles just flow. Others whom have been yoked by chains of expectation will try too hard to put on a “show”. If the domestic creature has found its voice and knows how to use it, they will generally reject this coercion and ill use of will.

A show has a preprogrammed agenda and does not lend itself to the ebb and flow of life, creating consequence and crisis. Man has created many versions of such “shows” as they are predictable, teachable and help to feed the ego. This can also be the reason some “trained” wild creatures go “bad” at times. They need to get back to that ebb and flow, creation and destruction programmed into all life in this universe, humans included. The sooner we make peace with this fact, the better we are able to minimize the damage the inflated ego brings. Working from a place of false, assumed superiority will cause inevitable consequence as the “whole” of a situation is not taken into consideration.

Keeping Ancient Wisdom

As moments unfold in working with creatures there are times when one literally has a chance to stretch physical, mental, emotional and spiritual limits. Some people will cloud this process with the voice and intention of their egos and color what can be or kill a new level of wisdom all together by not allowing integrity to lead the way. Often they want someone or something to be the keeper of their conscious all together. Here is where the human errs greatly as that voice should come from deep within you and not someone or something else. Here is where people will get bucked off, bitten, attacked or some other wake up call. This is where one remembers the ancient wisdom of other races that man does not own the earth and needs to be mindful of his intentions with it and the consequences there of. Intention can be woefully tainted by ego, leading with integrity gives voice to ancient, silent wisdom.

The Power of Love to Neutralize a Multitude of Ills

Anything ones loves to do, that absorbs you, will lead you to a “zero” state. This is where the logical mind is quiet and the only apparent thought is “inspiration” (this happens when the energy field is fully open and functioning). Some find this state with meditation, art, flying, animals; there are many paths to the same end.

It is an absolute state of being present and in the moment, very hard for most people to get to, but it can be addictive once people learn to access the state. There is great peace and silent strength in this state. It is the gift of honoring the past in your life and that of your ancestors, without being yoked or colored by it, accepting yourself and others, not yoking them or yourself with expectations or assumptions. This is the place, where the ego has learned to be at rest. It is loving what is and being at peace with it.

Once the ego, respect and integrity marry and merge with Divine inspiration, limits we have been yoked with since childhood shatter and the world is our own without the need to contrive, coerce and manipulate life to suit our whims. It frees the heart to play all the notes therein, and the wisdom of when to play those notes. We feel and live the holographic interconnection of all the lives we love and touch. It does cause your footsteps to follow in grace and blows all the rules away for the greatest good.

I believe this was an original state of being when people were nomadic, a time when we once recognized our needs satisfied and we reveled in appreciation for it. Life and the planet harmonized, keeping one safe, as awareness increases. When humans are in this state of stillness, we will feel what the land wants, what we want, indeed, what all life wants, because the fray of extraneous noise is silenced, and there is only pure communion with what surrounds you, leading to benevolent honoring of necessities and desires.

This is a state of being where the land can heal you, you heal the land and the glow goes both ways. It is a way of being the spoken word is not yet capable of expressing. When words fail, we are there.