horses
What Horses Teach Us About Freedom And Personal Power
Nature is a great place to go when we need to think clearly, feel peaceful, and get back to a healthy balance. It is even better if this includes the opportunity to watch animals in their natural environment.
Animals also carry their own special spiritual wisdom that can add value to our lives if we pay attention.
When I watch horses move freely, it reminds me to honor my own path, trust my instincts, and move forward with grace.
In mythology, it is revered in many forms: as the ethereal Unicorn, the winged Pegasus born from Medusa’s blood, and Sleipnir, Odin’s magical eight-legged steed from Norse mythology.
Horses hold a deeply symbolic place in many cultures, often representing freedom, strength, spirit, and connection between realms. As we move into the Chinese Year of the Horse, these energies feels particularly relevant.
In many Indigenous traditions, especially among the Plains Nations of North America, the horse is seen not as an animal to be used as a tool, but as a “relative” and a sacred member of the Horse Nation.
Referred to by names such as the Lakota Šúŋkawakȟáŋ, meaning “Holy Dog” or “Mysterious Dog”, the horse is seen as a spiritual gift from the Great Spirit or the Thunder Beings.
The Wise Whispers Of Sentient Animals
Domesticated animals have been a source of comfort and joy for us humans for thousands of years. Their companionship has brought us balance, healing and unconditional love. Our pets become family and even take the place of people missing in our life.
What humans too often forget is that animals are also sentient beings. They experience feelings and emotions, just like we do.
I know this as an animal communicator and pet psychic. But you don’t have to take my word for it, because evidence for it has also repeatedly been found in scientific studies.
For example, Helen Proctor and her colleagues at the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) did a systematic review of more than 2,500 articles on animal sentience and concluded that evidence of animal sentience is everywhere.
Animals feel pain, frustration, sadness, neglect, abandonment and fear. They also feel joy, happiness and contentment, just like humans. Their unconditional love is natural and without judgment.
Animals don’t care how successful, attractive or fashionable we are. They simply care about us for who we are, and all they ask in return is to be treated with some kindness and consideration.
I have the blessed gift of being able to communicate with the animals, and through the years of working with many animals, especially dogs, cats, and horses, they have taught me so much. They have shared with me many wisdoms, truths, fears, concerns, and also their confusion about some humans. At times it breaks my heart.
A Miracle Horse Named Jake
My passion for animals is far-reaching and horses are a definite favorite. They are amazing creatures that have been roaming the planet since the beginning of time. They started out humbly, but worked their way up the evolutionary ladder.
There is one particular horse that I will never forget. He entered my world about 6 months after my beloved American Quarter Horse, Luke, had passed away at the age of 22. I yearned for a new four-legged friend and found Jake for sale on a nearby farm.
I wanted a horse that would be good on trails, like Luke used to be. As I looked at the herd, one horse stood out instantly, staring at me with eyes that touched my soul. Jake wasn’t the prettiest horse there; he had lots of nicks and bite scars on his body. He was a white horse with a black mane and tail, with black varnish markings on his legs and face.
The owner told me that Jake was unfortunately not the most willing horse on trails, but I still had my sights set on him. He also mentioned that a thorn from a tree had broken off in the horse’s eye, several months back, but it seemed to be fine now.
As the man brought him out, I noticed he was heavy-handed with him and used force when not needed. The horse looked at me intently. I could clearly sense his sadness. He was not happy there.
The owner then saddled him up for me to ride, and he cut a branch from a nearby tree to use as a switch. “You’ll need this on the trails,” he said. I politely took the makeshift riding crop (with no intention of using it) and headed off to the wooded trails nearby.
Jake was quiet and we were feeling each other out. It was soon evident that he was a caring horse that aimed to please. I enjoyed the ride, and tossed that stick on the first turn. That was the day I started the love affair with my new Colorado Ranger horse. Only 5,000 of Colorado Ranger breed were registered at the time. The man could not recall how old Jake was, but when I got his papers I found he was 22 years old.