Thomas and Camilla, how do horses make us more mindful? 

Creating Happiness & Joy!

Our perspective as owners/leaders:

We get the feeling that the relationship between the horse and “today’s” rider begins as soon as they meet. It is strengthened during the pre-ride time together, with grooming and tacking up. When we have a rider who takes the “time” and “presence” to listen to his/her horse and its current condition, the rider also often benefits from a more responsive horse during the actual riding.

We definitely get the feeling that when a rider is a little unsure, brusque, or dominant, an uncertainty arises…the horse is affected by the rider’s current condition. Sometimes we see that the horse becomes a little hesitant about what the rider means, thinks and wants, which can often lead to misunderstandings. Many times the rider’s behavior changes after time together with her horse, which then means that the horse becomes calmer and more harmonious…and the rider does too. Sometimes we ask a slightly insecure or dominant rider to “pause” for a bit, start over and try to listen, being friendly in tone instead of commanding and bossy.

Our guests’ perspective:

The horses create a feeling of happiness, well-being and joy in our guests. Our guests express this when they arrive (who isn’t happy to see Icelandic horses?!); it’s then reinforced while they groom and tack up. We hear them talk to the horses in happy and positive tones. Our guests are given about 45–60 min. together with their horse before it’s time to ride out. We never have our horses “ready” for the riders since the time with the horse, both before and after, is very important for both horses and humans. It creates trust and calm. The horse also becomes much more responsive to the rider when working from both the ground and his back.

Our personal perspective:

For us, being able to see our horses in their pastures every day creates a great sense of joy. Just having our “employees” so close, that they come when we call them (most often…sometimes…never), always curious and interested in us, their willingness to be near us, their ability to notice what mood and state of mind we are in creates presence and awareness.

Being “one with the horse” in Nature

Being able to take horses from their pastures, and then being able to ride them out in nature, creates trust and confidence – as well as an awareness that to some extent, it’s on the horse’s terms that we are out together. They often make us feel “one with the horse” – everything else in the world not only becomes unimportant, but actually disappears completely: problems, stress, finances, relationships, etc. evaporate and there is only the here and now (Editor’s note: just like with yoga!).

It is also on horseback that we get the privilege of experiencing the forest and other wildlife, on the animals’ terms; we get very close to deer, birds of prey and wild boar. Never stressed or scared, neither us nor the forest animals. The horse is like an ambassador.

The horse’s ability to take in sights, smells, movements in nature, all which we do not have the ability to sense, fosters awareness and trust in them. A feeling of humility that, despite saddle, bit and bridle, we are on the horse’s terms. Even though we have domesticated our horses to “do” as we wish with various aids and instructions, it is largely on the horse’s terms that we can – and are allowed to – ride them.

Social Connection

Joy and togetherness in experiencing “this moment” are strengthened at the sight of seeing a riding friend, experiencing exactly the same thing. On the way to us and the time after the “horse/riding moment” itself, the overall experience is strengthened through exchanges of feelings, words, photos, laughter, etc. The Togetherness becomes a glue, a bond, a “drug” and a strong connection.