Philosphy

“My troubles are over, and I am at home; and often before I am quit awake, I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my old friends under the apple trees.” – Black Beauty.

Horses are no longer employed as they were in the era of “Black Beauty.” However, the act of horseback riding still remains an art. Peaceful and fulfilling, riding soothes and centers the human soul. Horses are old friends to humans. They help us realize that our troubles are finite and bearable. For equestrians, horses define home.

Dressage is the oldest form of horsemanship. It was crafted as a technology used to perfect the battle horse. Although this sounds barbaric, it was quite the contrary. Discoveries in training and on and off the battlefield were made that lent understanding between the bond of the horse and soldier. Hunted by war, it was the collected, through, and connected horse and rider whose souls were spared. Training concepts were cultivated into sacred skills known through Dressage (French for “to train”).

Recently, horses have become recognized for their therapeutic qualities. When riding, the horse and rider sense together, feel together, and share a unique awareness. This connection between the horse and rider is especially useful when the rider is a patient. Riding hushes our minds and horses carry our bodies.

Horses and humans co-evolved to form the very basis of reliance. Technology has changed, but the human-horse connection is still strongly present in the world. Although we do not labor horses as we once did, we still need them as much as they need us. The definition of trust can be found in a dictionary, but the core feeling of trust can be found on horseback.