Saturday, September 12, 2009

After Workshop Antics!

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.

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