How Horses and Equine Assisted Coaching Facilitate Self-Discovery
Horses possess an extraordinary ability to help us achieve a conscious awareness of perceptions, feelings, and emotions, many of which remain subconscious in our daily lives. From a very young age, we are socialized to interact with others and navigate our environment, a necessity for societal function. However, this socialization can lead to a gradual disconnection from the deeper roots of our feelings and actions. Horses, on the other hand, are keenly attuned to our body language and intentions, a survival mechanism honed over millennia. This inherent awareness makes them invaluable partners in the coaching process. They live resolutely in the present moment, responding most effectively when we are genuine and authentic. As sentient beings, they provide a unique and honest reflection of our inner state.
A specially trained Equine Assisted Coach (EAC) brings a crucial layer of expertise to this interaction. They possess the ability to interpret the horse's responses to an individual, recognizing when the horse is mirroring a person's emotions. The EAC observes the dynamic between the person and the horse, facilitating a deeper understanding of the unspoken communication taking place. At Heart Song, we prioritize the fostering of a strong bond between horse and client, creating a foundation of trust and safety for both. This secure environment allows the EAC to create a space for the client to explore their inner landscape, eliciting insights that lead to growth, healing, creativity, and resourcefulness. The client's nonverbal, intuitive, and sensory brain, often overlooked, can now be heard and understood.
Your EAC designs purposeful activities to bring awareness to the client's internal perceptions. Once these perceptions are brought into the light of consciousness, the client gains the freedom to choose consciously or to make different choices. Because the EAC cannot read the client's mind, they engage in thoughtful questioning based on their observations, guiding the client towards self-discovery. The coaching process unfolds through carefully crafted activities with the horse, where the energy and intentions of both horse and client are observed and explored. After each activity, we engage in a process of reflection, using questions like, "What happened?", "Now what?", and "I noticed...is that accurate?" to facilitate deeper understanding.
The client's role in Equine Assisted Coaching is one of exploration and openness. There is no right or wrong way to act or feel. The activities are designed to foster awareness, learning, and healing within oneself. By embracing this process, clients can unlock hidden aspects of themselves and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
Certified Coach, Founder & Owner of HeartSong EAC