Exploring Connection through Horsemanship and Therapy

How Attunement Activities Enhance Relationships

When supported by a trained therapist, gently exploring feelings at the right time can lead to profound insights and connections. Today, I experienced a breakthrough with my mini-Shetland pony during an attunement activity. This exercise revealed the power of patience and nonverbal communication in building trust and connection.

As I engaged in the activity, I observed my pony's body language, occasionally signalling my awareness of her movements, particularly focused on when her body language turned towards me. This created a safe space for her, gradually making her more conscious of my presence. The pivotal moment came when I crouched down, becoming smaller and less intimidating. Instead of a mere ear flick or a glance, she turned her whole face and eventually her body towards me, actively seeking to connect.

This experience filled me with pride, yet it also prompted reflection. Was my pony initially too intimidated by my standing presence to connect? Or was it the 20 minutes I spent demonstrating my attunement to her that made the difference? These questions enhance the value of such activities in learning about relationship skills—not only within ourselves but also with others.

While these practices are well understood in the horse community, they offer valuable lessons for everyone. They teach us about presence, patience, and the subtleties of nonverbal communication. If you're interested in learning more about yourself, whether you have a horse or not, come check out Stable Life Therapy for a free meet and greet. It's an invitation to explore the depths of connection and understanding through unique and rewarding experiences.