How Animals Teach Us To Let Go

Many of you recall my last blog, where I spoke of saying goodbye to Jack, our amazing turkey. While it was difficult, I knew it was for the best. I just did not have full closure as to why I had to do it. I mean, I knew I had to, but I knew there was a deeper learning there. I heard from SO MANY of you…Clearly, Jack’s story resonated with you. Now, no one had a situation where they had to say goodbye to a turkey, but letting go and saying goodbye comes in many forms!! One of my dear friends really aided me in furthering my understanding. She had a similar situation in her family, and what she said resonated with me!  She said she had to let go because it was the only way she could stay safe. Of course I was safer when Jack was rehomed, but I did not get the memo until I heard from her that the entire reason was to stay safe.  I had to let Jack go, because I had to stay safe.  Yes, physically safe, but also emotionally safe. It really struck a chord. Daniel Gottlieb, the amazing therapist, often says that “Nothing grows without safety.” He is so right, I could not be safe around Jack, and that is why I had to rehome him. We do our best here to create an environment where growth can occur, but it must be done surrounded by safety.
Safety speaks of feeling at home and having boundaries, which also help to keep us safe. Anybody with even a cursory understanding of horses knows that boundaries are the way to create safety, and also freedom.

Case in point…Here we have four of the boys in our “Pickering Pasture”.  It is early morning, each is safe and serene as the morning sun soothes their bodies. Just four horses hanging out, right? Well, what you may not know is each horse is in position, in a line up which speaks to where they are standing in the herd, where they are safe. It also speaks to the hierarchy of the four of them. The alpha horse is all the way to the left. He is the closest to where the food is dispersed. After him is the second in command, then third, followed by the fourth, who would like to think he is the alpha. At times, he may try to stake his claim, but in the herd of horse speak, his place is also a way for him to stay safe. Even in this snapshot, we can see how peace and calm reigns when boundaries are kept, and everyone knows their place. And, from the looks of it, they are all happy with this arrangement. Such serenity in this picture, no struggle, everyone knows where everyone else is, and they are secure. A great reminder that when boundaries are in place, we can all be secure, we can grown, and we can feel safe.
Where do you feel most safe? For those of you who have horses in your life I can pretty much guess your answer!
IF you do not have your own horse, we have plenty here who can assist you in your journey towards safety and freedom!  You can join us for our next  Horse Circle: Saturday, November 12th, from 2:00-3:30 here at the farm. We will have 30 minutes of silence, surrounded by amazing horses. If you have not joined us for a while, perhaps you should visit us again!!! $30.00.
We also offer Equine Facilitated Learning Sessions, they are private, unmounted and offer space where one can interact with horses in a way which speaks to their lives rather powerfully. For those with riding experience, we are currently hauling over to Valley Forge Park to partake of the stunning fall colors!!
There is PLENTY to do! Join us!