How horses help people communicate more effectively | Sponsored by Sue Dixon

During communications, especially ones where we have to step outside our comfort zones and speak our truth, there is often a “big pink elephant in the room”. The pink elephant is a metaphor for an obvious issue or problem that we avoid because it’s not comfortable to discuss or acknowledge. Issues and problems are often avoided because it’s easier to ignore them and hope they just go away on their own. Enter the pink elephant. 

In equine-assisted learning, I have the pleasure of working with Mojo. Mojo isn’t a pink elephant, for sure, but he is a black-and-white paint gelding. While Mojo isn’t as big as a pink elephant, I submit to you he’s hard to ignore when he stands between you and someone you need to have a courageous conversation with. 

Before interacting with a horse, who is a prey animal, all participants must be calm and focused. Mindfulness activities help the participants and the horse.

In addition to communicating with Mojo standing between two people, he really appreciates being groomed for all his trouble! I have observed many courageous conversations occur with Mojo standing in between those communicating.

I have witnessed people realize perspective, clarity, compassion, and courage in their communications and they happen while grooming the horse. The horse and the arena provide a safe space to step outside one’s comfort zone and say what needs to be said. Doing something nice for another being i.e. grooming a horse has its own somatic qualities that help people tap into their body as well as their mind. 

A couple of the questions posed between a parent and child while grooming might be, “Name something you are grateful for as it relates to your mom”, and “Name one thing you would like to change in your relationship”.

Corporate teams benefit from this mode of communication as well. Some of the questions posed by team members are, “What are the keys to success and improvement in our team?” and “How does the team manage conflict and crisis?”

Another great way to assess communication is to have two people put a halter on a horse. Sounds easy but if the one putting the halter on is blindfolded and the other person has to communicate to them, without touching the horse or the person, communication is put to the test. This activity has led to great conversations about trust, clarity, strategy, and patience. 

Some comments from a mother and daughter: 

• “When Sue asks the questions, it really makes you think about your life, how we react to our friends and family”
• “I loved how my daughter was able to let me know some things that have been bothering her”
• “She was able to use her sessions to help with her girl drama at school”

Some comments from Wise Publishing Inc.

• “The contribution of quality, courageous insights and solutions was more productive immediately following the session in the next two days than at any previous time”
• “The value of taking a few hours to pause and focus on how the team is communicating, what they are valuing and prioritizing prior to initiating strategy discussions was invaluable.”

If there is a pink elephant holding back your courageous conversations, please reach out!

Contact Partnering Horses with Humans by clicking HERE. You can also check out their website at www.equinetherapymuskoka.com

Sue Dixon, owner of Partnering Horses with Humans, is a Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitator through Horse Spirit Connections and Cartier Farms (Dreamwinds), and a Registered Coach through Equestrian Canada. Sue and her beloved horse Egalie were the 2014 champions of the beginner division of the North East Trillium Hunter Jumper Association.  Sue has a degree in Sociology from the University of Waterloo.

Sue has 33 years of experience working at a local corporation with leadership in quality and health and safety. Sue’s role with Partnering Horses with Humans is that of facilitator; helping clients find their own wisdom by tapping into the horse’s wisdom. Sue operates her business out of two locations and offers services and workshops to individuals, couples, families, and workplaces.