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We feel safe, accepted, often magically attracted to these noble creatures and the world is always immediately in order as soon as we are near them. Perhaps you are a horse lover and know this feeling well. But it is also our evolutionary heritage. Our interest in animals and nature is deeply rooted in us. The horse has been a faithful companion to humans for thousands of years. Having a calm, relaxed horse next to us has a calming effect on us and gives us a sense of security and reduces stress. Scientifically speaking, it promotes the release of oxytocin, the bonding hormone and antagonist of stress. As a result, it lowers cortisol levels, blood pressure and heart rate. It also ensures that someone feels safe and secure and is willing to open up. The presence of the horse thus creates an ideal basis for entering into a process of self-awareness.
This is one of the great added values that the horse brings as a coach. Another is that the coach himself has a further indicator of what is unconsciously dormant and deeply hidden through the horse’s reaction to the client. Finally, it is the horse’s reaction that gives the client a different view of their own behavior. Reflection not only makes it possible to become aware, but also to test a possible change. In this way, the change process is driven by intrinsic motivation, which is the best possible prerequisite for fundamental change.
Here you can find out how you can integrate the horse into your life as a coach.
What we can use in our work with horses as coaches is the horse’s need for safety. The factor that offers a horse security is above all authenticity. The horse recognizes in a fraction of a second whether the inner and outer posture are identical. If there are discrepancies here, e.g. due to an increased heartbeat or tense muscles, a trained eye can see this in the horse’s minimal reaction.
In combination with a topic, a specific interaction with the horse and targeted reflective questions from the coach, clarity can be created about a current state of mind and unconscious stressors. With the transfer, i.e. the active reference to the problem, the horse supports the client in the process step by step to review changes again until a coherent and feasible change has been found.
The horse as coach remains a horse. And a happy one at that! That is our main concern. It is a horse that is allowed to live its natural needs and is used mindfully in the encounter with humans. The horses we use all have different histories, all have been used in sport, were used to having a task but also to fulfilling it with a great deal of commitment and performance. Now their lives are different. Full of intense moments that they seem to enjoy, strengthened by the role of coach and showing that there is so much more to them than most people ever realize.
Here you can find out how you can integrate the horse into your life as a coach.
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