Our last workshop, in collaboration with Amorah Ross, was a remarkable experience. More to come on that in another post. What feels important here, is the shift in our relationship with the horses following the workshop.
Why a shift? The level of partnership they offered was unlike anything I have ever seen. It reminded me of the stories of the pod of orcas off the coast of Australia that would call for the human fishermen when the whales were coming through. They would then proceed to herd the whales into the cove where the fishermen could make the kill. The agreement between the two species was that the humans would always leave the whale overnight so that the orca could get the tongue - their favorite part. They would leave the rest for the humans. It was a remarkable example of inter-species communication, trust and collaboration. (until a new human took over the hunt and decided they would not leave the whale as agreed)
So, what does killing whales have to do with our workshop?! Great question. It doesn't.
However, inter-species collaboration is what we do! And, that is the part that was most amazing about this workshop. The expansion of our relationship has lasted beyond the workshop. Here is where it started:
In the daze of the following day, we let the horses into the middle pasture. It is one of their favorite places and had plenty of grass and wonderful napping spots. We walked them out (we don't use halters or lead ropes) and bid them a happy day. We then meandered back to the house for some breakfast and leisure. Sitting in the living room, I started hearing Rohan yelling (loud whinny). "Hm. That's strange. I'd better to see what's happening." Rohan was standing at the edge of the pasture, looking at the house, and yelling for me.
The first thing that came to mind, is there must be something wrong. So, I put on my shoes and went to investigate. As I approached the pasture, he then turned his entire body in the direction of the hose, turned his head to me, and then back to the hose.
"Ah, got it. Thanks!" I had left the hose on and the trough was overflowing!!
As always, once the message was delivered, he felt free to go back to calmly grazing with the herd as they slowly made their way over the hill into the morning sun.
Sierra did something similar the following day! My husband and I were in the pasture working when she came running from the back pasture, tail in the air, nostrils flared and screaming! She made her way into the side pasture where we were, and ran the length of it. Then, circled back and ran back to the back pasture, screaming the whole way! My husband and I looked at each other and asked, "Did Timmy fall into the well?!" We ran back to find that we had inadvertently left the far gate open, allowing Rohan and Grace to wander onto the other side of the fence. She ran away from the herd at the back of the land, all the way to the front of the 13 acres, to tell us that there was something wrong!
Thank you, to all of them, for their patience in our unfoldment! And, for their partnership.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
What's in it for you?
One of our passions here at Redtail Farm is our connection to the natural world. We find deep peace in the rhythms, sacredness in the wisdom, and certainty of our interdependence on every other piece of the eco-system.
Over the last 3 weeks, some interesting events have come to pass. Laying in bed last night, and then again this morning, I felt compelled to send some thoughts into cyberspace.
The first event was a cougar down in Yelm attaching horses. There were 2 different attacks, 2 different farms, 2 different horses. Horses tend to represent discovering freedom, travel, and new beginnings. The first attempt, the cat tried for the haunches. The second, for the neck. Both times, the horses got away. This is very strange behavior for a cat who seems to be practicing strategies. I have not heard of any more attacks since.
Last week, residents in a downtown Seattle neighborhood started reporting cougar sights near Discovery Park. That is a first... what the heck would draw a cougar into downtown Seattle? We know our city is beautiful, but wouldn't have expected a cougar to think so!
Yesterday, after treeing the cat with dogs and shooting him with a tranquilizer dart, they released him into the Cascade Foothills - a much more suitable location for such a magnificent soul. He was a 2 1/2 year male, 140 pounds, in his prime. The Wildlife agents that had the chance to see him in the tree, in all his glory, before he was drugged, were clearly moved by his majesty.
The next story on the news was the fact that a driver outside of Marymoor Park, near downtown Redmond, struck and killed another adult male cougar. Same question - what the heck is a cougar doing in downtown Redmond?
I have a general rule of thumb for life to help keep me balanced and curious: if I see something once, it is interesting. If I see something twice, I make note of it. If I see something three times, I take action. In this case, action for me meant connecting with Mother Nature, and with the cats in particular. My question, "What's up and what do you need us to know?" Afterwards, I took a visit to my Ted Andrew's Animal Speak book (always by my chair!)
As Ted puts it, "If cougar has shown up in your life, it is time to learn about power. Test your own. Most young cougars learn how to use their power through trial and error. It strengthens them and hones their skills. When cougar shows up as totem, much of the trial has been worked through. Now it is time to assert."
"People may not like your asserting. They may try and keep you in the category they have always kept you. You can choose to remain so, or you can stretch your muscles and show your capabilities."...
"The deer is the cougar's favorite prey. One of the qualities embodied by the deer is gentleness."... "remember that power can be asserted with gently." ...
"The cougar teaches decisiveness in the use of personal power."... "The cougar can teach you how to bring out your power and fill your heart with it in a manner that will enable you to take charge of your life."
Cougar seems to be inviting those of us who will listen, to to ask where does our power want to be asserted, with gentleness and conviction?
Over the last 3 weeks, some interesting events have come to pass. Laying in bed last night, and then again this morning, I felt compelled to send some thoughts into cyberspace.
The first event was a cougar down in Yelm attaching horses. There were 2 different attacks, 2 different farms, 2 different horses. Horses tend to represent discovering freedom, travel, and new beginnings. The first attempt, the cat tried for the haunches. The second, for the neck. Both times, the horses got away. This is very strange behavior for a cat who seems to be practicing strategies. I have not heard of any more attacks since.
Last week, residents in a downtown Seattle neighborhood started reporting cougar sights near Discovery Park. That is a first... what the heck would draw a cougar into downtown Seattle? We know our city is beautiful, but wouldn't have expected a cougar to think so!
Yesterday, after treeing the cat with dogs and shooting him with a tranquilizer dart, they released him into the Cascade Foothills - a much more suitable location for such a magnificent soul. He was a 2 1/2 year male, 140 pounds, in his prime. The Wildlife agents that had the chance to see him in the tree, in all his glory, before he was drugged, were clearly moved by his majesty.
The next story on the news was the fact that a driver outside of Marymoor Park, near downtown Redmond, struck and killed another adult male cougar. Same question - what the heck is a cougar doing in downtown Redmond?
I have a general rule of thumb for life to help keep me balanced and curious: if I see something once, it is interesting. If I see something twice, I make note of it. If I see something three times, I take action. In this case, action for me meant connecting with Mother Nature, and with the cats in particular. My question, "What's up and what do you need us to know?" Afterwards, I took a visit to my Ted Andrew's Animal Speak book (always by my chair!)
As Ted puts it, "If cougar has shown up in your life, it is time to learn about power. Test your own. Most young cougars learn how to use their power through trial and error. It strengthens them and hones their skills. When cougar shows up as totem, much of the trial has been worked through. Now it is time to assert."
"People may not like your asserting. They may try and keep you in the category they have always kept you. You can choose to remain so, or you can stretch your muscles and show your capabilities."...
"The deer is the cougar's favorite prey. One of the qualities embodied by the deer is gentleness."... "remember that power can be asserted with gently." ...
"The cougar teaches decisiveness in the use of personal power."... "The cougar can teach you how to bring out your power and fill your heart with it in a manner that will enable you to take charge of your life."
Cougar seems to be inviting those of us who will listen, to to ask where does our power want to be asserted, with gentleness and conviction?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
