Usually, when I enter this arena, it's either to work with one of our horses or a group of eager students wanting to explore their bond with the horses. I must say, I am not the best with public speaking in traditional classrooms, but I've jokingly shared to friends and colleagues that if I could speak in the arena where I teach, I'd do just fine.
Tonight, I have the opportunity to do just that, as I speak on behalf of our four-legged team members here at Healing Strides. The daily responsibilities of a Healing Strides horse are beyond what we can fully comprehend, but let's take a moment to envision it together this evening.
For our horses to perform their influential roles, they must feel secure in their surroundings, which means their physical, mental, social, emotional, and nutritional needs are consistently metβmuch like our own needs as a human. If any of you have spent time with our horses, you may have noticed that they appear to be relaxed, happy, calm, curious, and willing. This demeanor is the result of the safe environment we've worked hard to cultivate and maintain, where they are able to trust us and we are able to trust them to carry out their extraordinary work.
Our horses are more than just animals, they are a foundational part of our team. Now, to answer the question of why are horses such a foundational part of our team? Horses are prey animals, designed to be exceptionally sensitive to the environment around them so that they can detect potential threats. A horse has the unique ability to sense energy levels, body language, and emotional state from up to thirty feet away.
As herd animals, their survival depends on strong social connections and communication within their herd. This social instinct and sensitivity enable horses to genuinely tune in to the emotions and intentions of those around them, including humans. Furthermore, horses possess the remarkable ability to fully embrace each moment, remaining focused on the present without dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
