There are several articles contained on this page, which are a few of those I've written.

Finding the Keys to Cha-Cha’s Aggression and Health Issues
Animal Communication and Holistic Care Provide Answers

[Published in Volume 6, Issue 2 (March/April 2004) issue of Natural Horse magazine]


Natural horsemanship is a beautiful thing . . . engaging in a natural flow of energy and of give and take between horse and rider. Sometimes, though, there are behavioral issues that cannot be fully understood and addressed from that standpoint.

Nancy DeSisto, a professional horse trainer, utilizes natural horsemanship techniques. Her two year old Paint filly, Cha-Cha, is a second level Parelli horse. However, even with natural training methods, she had been showing intensifying aggression toward people. If you approached Cha-Cha on her right side, she would pin her ears and tail. Two stable workers were hospitalized and several others quit as a result of her behavior. Nancy, who communicates with her own animals, had spoken with Cha-Cha about this a few weeks prior to calling me. She felt Cha-Cha was remorseful and confused, but the behavior continued. Nancy felt that an outside communication session was her last option.

My session with Cha-Cha revealed that she was very angry that her mother had left her (she had died when Cha-Cha was 14 months old). Cha-Cha was present at her death and still held grief about her loss. She had conflicting feelings about people. One minute she felt extremely close and affectionate, the next she felt angry and lashed out. She felt she led a dual life, one part as a horse and one part as a human (Nancy was present at her difficult birth and breathed life into her). I explained to Cha-Cha that it was okay for her to be Horse, with all that means and entails, to do what horses do, to revel in her free spirit, her wild essence. I pointed out that if she were to interact more with the other horses and embrace equine behavior and nature, she might feel more comfortable with herself and, as a result, with people.

The aggression also came from not feeling well and from feeling confined in her training. I explained to Cha-Cha in very clear terms that her aggression toward others was unacceptable and not permitted. I pointed out that she was treated with great respect and dignity, and was expected to treat people the same way. And that she might be sent elsewhere if her behavior didn’t improve dramatically. (I later explained to Nancy how to work with visual images and feelings to reinforce the behavior requested of Cha-Cha.)

To make matters worse, Cha-Cha had severe skin problems which the vets had not been able to resolve. Nancy had tried just about everything topical on the market –and even changed her feed. Nothing had helped. During the communication session, Cha-Cha let me know her body felt sensitive, itchy, burning and tingling, and sometimes she felt hot internally as well as on the skin surface. There was also a pinching/itching feeling in the inflamed/bald areas. I suggested a new skin scraping be done to specifically look for mites, mange or other skin parasites.

I am a medical intuitive so I scanned her body for other health issues. Her whole right side (aura) “looked” white; the Chi energy was not flowing well there. The white color can also indicate a problem with the blood. I suggested an acupuncturist be consulted. (The acupuncturist later determined that there was a blood deficiency.) I received the sense of headaches or head pressure, and sensitivity about the head. I recommended Cha-Cha be checked by the chiropractor for impingements and misalignments at the base of the skull and in the neck, for problems with the right hip, and for tenderness along each side of the spine. (The chiropractor later confirmed problems with Cha-Cha’s body alignment.)

In scanning her, I received confirmation that apples and oranges, honey, apple cider vinegar, barley and rye would be beneficial, and sense that she needed essential fatty acids as well. The foods needed to have color to them; the color was important for her (a form of color therapy).

Cha-Cha had suffered viral infections about six months prior, and had been given high doses of antibiotics. Intuitive scanning revealed that Fastrack (a probiotic paste or powder) would help to recolonize the gut with beneficial bacteria. I also suggested Nancy add to twice-daily feedings the following: Springtime, Inc.’s Trace Lytes™ (a blend of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and electrolytes); 1/4-1/2 cup of a blend of locally harvested dark raw honey and raw apple cider vinegar (such as Bragg’s brand); and fruit.

For Cha-Cha’s skin, a solution of 16 ounces of water and 30 drops of Tea Tree Oil, sprayed on raw and itchy areas twice daily, was suggested. Other suggestions: A blend of one ounce of Sweet Almond Oil and 2-4 drops of Lavender essential oil could be massaged into the itchy areas. Both of these oils have healing properties, and used properly the almond oil can smother mites. To control flies and other pests, a spray repellant made from water and essential oils would work.

I also suggested that Nancy use the full TTouch™ program to help Cha-Cha release tension, anger and grief. Acupuncture would help rebalance her vital force, emotions and auras; she had energy blockages, and one of the blocks involved the Heart meridian. Bach flower essences or other vibrational essences would help Cha-Cha rebalance mentally, emotionally and spiritually, so she could be a fully realized being. Homeopathy could be considered as well. (The acupuncturist and chiropractor later confirmed the information I received and found my suggestions helpful.)

Cha-Cha was also very bored – Nancy had patiently trained her at a slow, controlled pace so as not to stress her young legs. Cha-Cha wanted more physical activity, the kind where she could move freely and be herself. Cha-Cha wanted people to enjoy the innate exuberance that she kept tamped down. She wanted Nancy to play and laugh with her, and she wanted to be ridden at a gallop.

At the end of the communication session, Cha-Cha said that Nancy did not need to treat her so delicately. She wanted to be happy, and wanted Nancy to be happy with her. She acknowledged how much Nancy had done for her, and deeply appreciated Nancy not giving up. She projected a big ball of love energy to me for Nancy – it was vibrating and rotating at a very fast speed, full of reds, purples, blues, silver and green.

Nancy was very pleased with the session. She followed my suggestions and saw dramatic improvement in Cha-Cha’s health and behavior, both with people and with horses. We discussed that whoever worked with Cha-Cha needed to send the right mental pictures and convey appropriate emotional energy about and toward Cha-Cha, so that she would have a clear understanding of how to behave and what’s expected of her.

Nancy later wrote to say, “Due to your uncommon gifts, my animals and therefore my business have benefited greatly. You were of such tremendous help to me and Cha-Cha, who was not thriving and was becoming extremely aggressive and dangerous to handle. As a professional horse trainer who uses only natural horsemanship type training methods, it was not only a professional failure for me, but a highly personal one as well. Cha-Cha had been born in our garage and had been handled and trained by me since birth; it was humiliating and depressing to see the very best efforts on my behalf destroyed by Cha-Cha’s continued downward spiral.

“Her aggression was born of extreme physical discomfort which I had a feeling of, but nowhere to the extent that you were able to fathom. You brought up things to me about Cha-Cha that no one on the planet would know about her except me. After the session I had a very different perception of an animal that I have known intimately for two years! There is absolutely no doubt that you “met” Cha-Cha on her terms and came away with an incredible amount of information for me. You gave me several different ideas and directions to follow . . . and I’ve followed them to great success. Cha-Cha is a MUCH happier young horse with her “real” personality returning and her old vim, vigor and vitality again apparent to everyone who knows her.”

I was merely the messenger, conveying to Nancy what Cha-Cha’s body, mind and spirit were trying to communicate. Animal communication and holistic care are some of the tools that can be employed to help animals rebalance and heal on all levels. Nancy updates me periodically about how Cha-Cha is doing. I have no doubt she will be a loving, spirited, and respectful equine companion for many years to come.

Telepathic Animal Communication: Have You Talked with Rover Today?

[Published in August 2006 issue of New Zealand Kennel Gazette]
 

Consider the dog that runs to the door to go for a walk when all you did was think about it. Or the dog that disappears when it’s bath time. The dog that starts dancing around (or moping) when you think about packing for the next dog show or business trip. All you did was think about the impending activity, and they responded. They are sensitive to your thoughts, mental images (projections), emotions and intentions. When it’s about them, they most likely will do an action that confirms they received the message or the energy you projected, consciously or not.

What about those times you’re intensely focused on something like reading a book, working at the computer, or talking on the phone. From (seemingly) nowhere the thought pops in, “I should take Rover for a walk.” Or “it’s time to feed Rover his dinner” (and you weren’t looking at the clock). Where (actually who) do you think the thought came from? You were focused on something completely unrelated. Yes, it came from your dog. How about when you just know there’s something wrong with them but there aren’t any obvious signs? How is it you know they’re not okay? You’re intuitively or telepathically receiving information from them that is not based on body language (although that certainly does provide information at times).

As an Animal Communicator, I telepathically “meet” animals all over the world, even though I live in Texas. (I rarely get to physically meet my clients.) Telepathic communication is not restricted by distance. We all have the ability to telepathically communicate with others, whether animal or human. It’s an innate ability, not something only the gifted few can do. However, as children we were probably told that we didn’t “hear” the dog say that (actually, yes, it did), or that “imaginary” playmate doesn’t really exist (actually, it does), or we couldn’t have “seen” something because the adult didn’t see it (actually, their eyes weren’t focused right). So we close off to the ability because we’re not supported for it. Then at some point we wish we could understand our animal friends better, but we don’t know how.

My path has led me to teaching others how to do that. Fear is what stops most people from exploring this incredible way of connecting with animals. That, and lack of trust in their ability to be accurate as well as what people might think. I point out that they regularly, but perhaps not consciously, communicate with their animal friends. Here’s why. It is practically impossible to live with another being for any length of time without becoming intuitively connected with them. You come to understand things about them that are beyond observing behavior, body language and attitude. Information comes to you telepathically in any number of ways, including words or sounds, thoughtforms, sensations, feelings, images, and a sense of knowing something without knowing how you know it.

After reading that, do you doubt that you telepathically communicate with your dog? I hope not. You receive information from your dog and convey information to them at the telepathic level on a regular basis. You’ve been doing it all along, perhaps just not with intent. Clients often confirm this for themselves when they say, “that’s what I thought but I wasn’t sure if I was making it up”. Communication students have the same concern, so they’re amazed at how accurately they receive information from a live animal or picture of an animal they’ve never met and know nothing about. I am delighted every time the light bulb goes off and they realize they really can do this! It really is an innate ability, not “weird-n-woo-woo” stuff.

I want to share a quick story with you. I talked with a very personable two year old Weimaraner named Dylan who lives in Kansas with his person, Laura. Laura had been showing Dylan in conformation and he was doing pretty well, but there was room for improvement. She asked me to convey to him what was needed, including that he let the judge look at his teeth without fidgeting. I asked him, “Do you have a problem with the judge touching you and looking at your teeth?” He replied, “Yes, a bit. I mean, they don’t live with me so I don’t think they should be touching me like that” [looking at his teeth]. I said, “I understand it’s kind of strange, to have an unknown person do that to you, but it’s harmless. They want to see how pretty and clean your teeth are and how they line up in your mouth.” He very truthfully (and with genuine curiosity) said, “Why? That’s none of their business, is it?”

Dylan had a very valid point, from his perspective! At the end of our conversation, I asked him, “Is there anything you would like to ask, or to add, before we close?” He replied, “Oh, sure! Tell her that I’ll try to do better at that show stuff. I know it means a lot to her, it’s just not easy for me to get into it because it’s not what I want to do. I think it’s kind of silly, really. If people want to see me, they can just come on over, we don’t have to go to those events.” He was quite open to entertaining at home! Dylan didn’t care about points and titles, he just wanted to be sociable. The session helped Laura understand Dylan better, and helped him understand why things happen the way they do in the show ring so he could cooperate instead of react.

Some dogs really love showing, some don’t. If your dog is not performing as you hope, ask yourself whether you can do anything to improve the situation for them, make it more appealing or interesting, or less stressful, or whatever is needed. For Dylan, he needed to understand why the judge wanted to look at his teeth (I explained it to him). He really felt that was an intrusion, and not necessary. He didn’t understand the rules. Explain to your dog what it is you’re asking them to do and why. They aren’t born with the show rules in hand, and some of the things we ask them to do make no logical sense from their perspective. (And if you look at it from their perspective, they don’t!). Explaining to them what’s wanted, and projecting mental images of them doing exactly that, can help them put your requests into context, and perhaps they’ll be more willing to give you the requested response.

Behavioral, emotional, performance and health issues, the euthanasia question, and a myriad of other subjects can be explored via telepathic communication. Lost animals and animals in spirit can be telepathically communicated with as well. There is no limit to how this ability/tool can be helpful and enlightening to you and your dog.

Books, workshops, and teleclasses about animal communication are available worldwide to help you reconnect with this ability. As well, there are professional communicators who can help you and your dog better understand one another, which will deepen your bond in a unique way. I encourage you to suspend any skepticism you may have and explore this fascinating realm with an open mind. If you ultimately choose to experience the benefits and rewards of telepathic communication, whether learning to do this yourself or working with a professional communicator, you may find yourself wondering why you didn’t do it sooner!

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Kat Berard Interview for "Collecting Ring" (New Zealand's Quarterly Horse Show Review)

[Published in August 2007 issue]
 

Background: Kat Berard has been a professional Animal Communicator for eight years, and has communicated with animals all her life. Her horse in spirit, Oh So Native (a/k/a Bubba), a beautiful Thoroughbred off the track, was her inspiration for becoming an Animal Communicator. Bubba taught her that no matter where you go, you are always connected with your animal friends if you choose to be. They do not go away when they die; the loving bond and spiritual connection remains. You can read about how he proved this to her at www.katberard.com/com_lossandgrief.htm.

Question: Do you think many people actually appreciate how much their horse’s performance is due to what they are communicating to the horse by their thoughts (positive & negative)?

Answer: Actually, no! We are so used to just “do-ing” whatever we are doing that we don’t often realize exactly what we are projecting to our animals with our thoughts, feelings and the images that flit through our minds. Animals communicate with each other and with us quite easily with mental images. When we visualize something in our minds (often inadvertently or not with conscious thought, they’re just images that correspond to what we’re thinking about, versus what we may be doing), we are projecting them out to others like we do with our thoughts.

One of the most important actions people can do to encourage their animal friends to respond in the manner requested or expected is to be very clear about how they visualize the response. For example, if you want a horse to jump a fence but in the past the horse has balked, shied or knocked when going over, don’t anticipate that happening the next time. Because when you anticipate, you project mental images of them doing exactly what you don’t want. Instead, very deliberately (as you begin the approach) visualize them clearly and cleanly going over the fence, and send a feeling with that projection of confidence, strength and balance.

Any time an animal is not doing what you want, check your mental image bank and see what you’re projecting.

Q: If the rider is looking at an object, as they ride around the show ring, thinking “my horse will spook at that tent and ruin our chance” – what is the eventuality of this actually happening?

A: This is exactly what I’m talking about – if you anticipate anything other than what you want to have happen, you are in a way giving the animal permission or direction to do what you don’t want. If you’re going to spend mental energy, wouldn’t it be better to always spend it in a deliberate, positive manner, anticipating what you DO want?

Q: What do you say to those riders who have to physically run their horses into the ground (exhaust them) or use mood enhancers/drugs to get perceived obedience out of them?

A: Are they looking for obedience, or partnership? There is a big difference between forcing or coercing an animal to do something, and asking them to do so in a way that is courteous, supportive and honouring of the animal. I learned this the hard way with my horse – when I pushed, he pushed back, hard. When I relaxed into what we were doing and treated him with respect and an air of conscious cooperation and harmony, he flowed easily.

When horses act in a manner that leads people to believe drugs or force are the answer, they’re not understanding what the animal is trying to convey. Something’s wrong and the animal is doing what they can to let the person know that. The situation should be fully explored, not forced or coerced or masked. Animals are not wilfully difficult; they are trying to convey a message with such behavior. Perhaps part of the tack is poorly fitted, or the person is bouncing too hard in the saddle, or there isn’t enough padding under the saddle, or the horse is in pain, or the request being made (such as to do a flying change) is not comfortable for the horse. Maybe they’re tighter on one side than another and need flexion exercises performed before training. Or what’s wanted of them is not being clearly explained – i.e. incremental steps made towards training the horse to do something, rather than just pointing them at the object and pushing them into it.

If people put themselves in the horse’s hooves for a moment – literally imagine being them, being in their body and looking out their eyes - and look at the request from their viewpoint, and how it is being explained or the manner in which it is being requested, perhaps they’d better understand why the horse is responding in an unwanted manner.

So I would ask, do they want an animal they control, or do they want a partnership that flows easily and is respectful to both of them? Do they want to work in harmony, or do they think, “I’m the person, I’M in charge, and you’ll do as I say.” Who wants to be treated like that? That old saying, “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar” is true!

Q: 99% of people would think a horse was being “naughty” if it wouldn’t load onto the truck to go to a show – could they discover something else?

A: Has anyone ever ridden in a horse trailer? They’re noisy, sometimes hot, sometimes cold, the vibration transferred through the hooves to the legs and body are sometimes annoying to certain horses or even disconcerting and frightening, and then add to that the fact that some people take corners and turns way too fast when pulling that trailer.

I had a client whose horse would bang and carry on the whole time he was in the trailer. When she modified her driving habits, his behaviour stopped! Sometimes it’s the simple things that dictate what our animal friends respond with. Again, if the person anticipates a difficult loading, that could add to the negative equation. Examine the trailer, make sure the boards or floor are stable (jump up and down on them), make sure the horse doesn’t bang their head getting in and out, and make sure there’s good flooring (such as thick rubber mats) to add cushioning and a stable, gripping texture. Then visualize them easily walking into and out of the trailer. Using force doesn’t work on us, so don’t use it on them.

Q: Horses don’t think like us, so they wouldn’t do something “to p… us off”. So, if a horse is bucking or leaning on the reins, could he be trying to tell his rider something?

A: Absolutely! Now, part of this can be a training issue. Maybe they lean on the reins because a prior rider was or the current rider is too heavy handed or not using leg and hand cues properly to guide them into proper carriage. It could be because the horse has not been properly taught to carry itself using propulsion from the back end and in a balanced manner. But it could also be that they are being asked to do something that makes them nervous, confuses them, frightens them, or makes no sense to them. Riding is an art, not a science, because you have two individual personalities trying to work together to create a “picture”. The rider has to do many steps properly (hands, legs, seat, core balance, relaxed breathing, gentle eye focus, etc.) and convey accurately to the horse what is wanted. If the rider is not doing their part of the equation clearly, if they are pushing for rather than asking for and guiding the horse into proper movement, if the movement is not natural or comfortable for the horse – which could be hindered by a physical problem such as tightness or soreness – then the “art” being created breaks down.

If a horse is bucking, I’d be looking at what is the person forcing on them that is not mentally, emotionally or physically comfortable for them? Or, are they not recognizing that the horse perhaps has fear about what is being asked, or performing up to their expectations? Or that they are being treated with less than respect and with an attitude of “you WILL do it”? Bucking can be for many reasons, anything from discomfort to fear to “treat me with respect and ASK, don’t force, me to do this.” If you wouldn’t push a person around in a similar situation, why try to push a horse around? Horses don’t lie – they will give you back exactly what you are directing at them, so if you’re angry and you get on the horse, they sense that. They may respond with anger in return, as a mirror of where you’re at. If you’re nervous, they may become nervous. If you’re afraid, they may shy, balk, refuse to do what you want.

Always look at what you’re feeling first, and where your mental state is at. I recommend people do some deep breathing, grounding and centering before getting on the horse, so that they present their best self to the horse and therefore come from a place of equal partnership rather than “I’m in charge, you’ll do as I say.” Again, no one likes to be forced to do something, or worse, to have to deal with someone who is treating them as an object or something to be pushed around.

I’m not saying all riders do this, but I have talked with enough horses who feel their rider is coming from a place of dominance rather than partnership to say that this is a key issue for horses. Partnership is teamwork. Teamwork means looking out for your partner and offering your best self to the situation. If you can’t get calm, grounded and centered before you get on, then maybe you shouldn’t ride at that time. Perhaps doing groundwork would be better in those moments. Or best would be to “let your hair down” and go for a trail ride, take some time off to do something other than routine work. Change up the pattern, do it backwards, do something different, unique and fun. I hear that from horses too – they often feel their person forgets to have fun with them.

Ultimately, if what you’re doing isn’t satisfying and fun at some level, if you can’t relax into it and take an attitude of, “let’s do our best today and see what happens,” then you’re missing the point of the partnership. If you were learning to dance, you’d be nervous and unsure and make mistakes over and over until your body got comfortable with the moves and you gained “muscle memory” for those moves. It’s the same for horses – repeating a pattern over and over is necessary for them to have time to assimilate all the pieces of the move, whether that’s a jump, or going over cavalettis, or doing a sidepass. Be patient with them and give them time to learn what you’re asking. If they aren’t learning it, then look at how you might break it down into smaller steps or increments.

Q: A rider may think they are communicating with their horse by pulling on the reins and prodding him with the spurs, as their instructors may have taught them; are you telling us there could be a better way of communicating?

A:  Yes. Why would you use force? Who wants to be forced to do anything? We humans automatically balk at that – so do horses. Partnership is key. ASK for what you want, in a kind and respectful way, and visualize the horse doing as you are wanting.

Even more important is to look at how you as the rider are doing. Horses can be rather forgiving, but they can also be very direct about how you are and what you’re doing, by responding with actions that clearly say, “this isn’t working for me.” Heed those responses, and ask, “how can I convey this clearly without force?” Maybe the rider needs some additional training, or new ways of thinking. There are many training systems out there. Natural horsemanship teaches one how to partner with the horse, instead of taking a position of dominance. If you can learn that mode of communication, training and partnership, you’ll have much better results and a happier horse.

Q: Can ANYONE learn your techniques? 

Yes! I’m always saying, what I do is not something for the “gifted few.”  We ALL have intuition, that’s an innate ability. Telepathic communication is also an innate ability. It’s mind to mind communication. We do it all the time, just perhaps not consciously. Think of the times you were doing something at home or work and your horse popped into your mind. You weren’t thinking of them, they just popped in. That is the horse communicating with you. Or you look at your horse and think, “something’s not right.” There’s nothing obvious wrong, but you just have a sense something’s out of balance. This is your intuition at play, and you are receiving information telepathically from the horse about their mental, emotional or physical state. This is a natural ability, we all have it. What happens though is usually by age five or so we’ve had that shut down in us by adults telling us we didn’t hear the dog say that, or see that imaginary playmate, or feel a departed animal’s presence, or anything along those lines. It’s a shame because then we don’t trust our intuition, our gut instincts, or the messages we receive all the time from what is around us and those who want to connect with us.

I teach people how to access those innate intuitive and telepathic abilities, so that they can open that back up and learn to consciously operate it. It does take practice to develop it, but it is natural and innate, not weird. We all have had those situations where the phone rang and we knew who it was before we answered it. That is telepathic communication, a mind to mind connection with the person calling. Or the sense that we should take a different route to work, and later we find there was a bad accident or a road closing on the road we were going to take. There are all sorts of examples of intuition and telepathic communication at work. It’s truly not something just the “gifted few” can do.

Q: Having asked that question, is it important for people to WANT to be open minded and want to change? Do you agree that, if they keep doing the same thing, they will keep getting the same results (eg: no improvement)?

A: Yes, it is important to have an open mind. Think of all the things you don’t know – anything from physics to how to bake a soufflé. Some things are just not important to us as individuals, but what we do need to stay aware of is, just because we know something doesn’t mean we know everything there is to know about that thing. Who I am now as an Animal Communicator is not who I was when I started out eight years ago. I’ve kept an open mind and allowed the animals to teach me about who they are and what’s important to them. I also don’t assume I know everything that could be the reason for a certain behaviour. I’ve had some very surprising responses over the years from animals to the question, “what is it about that situation that causes you to do what you’re doing?” 

Learning about something new creates new neural pathways in the brain, and gets you thinking in a more expanded way. If you always do the old “tried and true” method, how does that benefit you or whomever you’re working with? If it works, great, but if it doesn’t, vow to “find a better way” and seek that. If you can’t be open minded about what is around you and stay open to the “new and better,” you could be missing out on some really great opportunities and experiences. If I thought I knew it all about why animals do what they do, I’d be ineffective at some level in some cases. I’d rather the animals teach me their viewpoint so I can help foster harmony, partnership, greater understanding and a deeper bond between the animal and human.

Q: What improvements would a rider expect to see in their relationship/performance with their horse after attending your workshop?

A: I would expect that the sense of partnership and companionship would be deeper, as they would – hopefully – have a better understanding that their horse is a spiritual being first, a horse second. We are ALL spiritual beings having a physical experience, not the other way around. When you recognize that we are all souls, with a path and a purpose, and that there is no inequality between us in terms of what we are here to do, you can’t look at any animal the same way again. Or even insects for that matter. Taking this viewpoint fosters reverence and respect for all living creatures. When you feel this in your heart and soul, you cannot then easily treat another living being with less than respect and harmony. I mean, it can be done, but it’s not as comfortable as it used to be when the lack of recognition of soul value was not there.

Q: Do you think modern people’s busy lifestyles and the way of always looking for a “quick fix solution” hinders their abilities to communicate positively with their horses?

A:  Yes. Patience is necessary to achieve great things. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” If you want something great, take the time to create it, don’t expect miracle results from middling efforts. To create a building, you need blueprints (ground work and game plan), building materials (confidence, encouragement, creativity, positive attitude, patience, training ground, tack), and a general contractor to oversee the project (the rider, who pulls all of this together). The project is only going to go as well as the contractor (rider) can organize and orchestrate it. So partnership with a horse starts with the rider’s attitude and belief system, and how they visualize or imagine the process and outcome of the goal.

If they get stuck, then I recommend looking for “new and better” instead of getting frustrated and trying the same thing over and over. Work with a different trainer, read books, attend training seminars, do things backward, do anything different to bring new energy into the situation. And most important, put themselves in the horse’s viewpoint to see how their training program is or is not working for the horse. Vow to be the best, don’t get stuck in “this is the way they tell me to do it.” Each horse is individual, and sometimes it’s necessary to scrap the training program and go with instinct and intuition as to what’s appropriate for them, rather than buying into someone else’s training program or way of doing things.

Q: Bearing in mind that horses aren’t like our dogs (“man’s best friend”), what do you say to those people who sell their horses on because they have problems with them?

A: There are no accidents in which animals cross our paths or who we end up with in our lives. The horse they have is with them to teach them things, it isn’t just about what they can get from the horse. If the horse is fractious, then look at what they’re not understanding about the horse, rather than making the horse the problem. Who wants to be seen as a problem? Instead, look at the behaviour as messages about what needs to change, and that may need to start with the rider’s way of going, rather than the horse’s attitude.

Maybe the rider needs to find a new, kinder, gentler, more expansive, easier, more creative or more fun way of doing something. Maybe they need to develop respect for their horse as a sentient being with thoughts, feelings, wants, needs and desires that are more than just “feed and ride me.” Maybe they need to work on equality and respect for others, or compassion and understanding for lack of perfection in others (and in themselves!). Maybe it’s time to look at how they partner with – or don’t partner with – another living creature on an equal basis.

Q: Can your techniques improve people’s communications with other animals and people in their lives?

A:  If people are open to creating more fulfilling relationships, and fostering greater understanding, acceptance for and compassion about others, then absolutely. I love to teach, and it gives me great joy to see others open up to their innate intuitive and telepathic abilities again, or open up in a bigger way. And it’s great fun to experience the fascinating energy and connections that come from learning to consciously operate these natural abilities.

For fascinating books and videos about who horses are and partnering with them in a deeper, more meaningful way, I recommend any of those by Linda Kohanov www.taoofequus.com, Gincy Self Bucklin www.whatyourhorsewants.com , and Linda Tellington-Jones www.ttouch.com. For holistic care information and free newsletters about horse care, partnership and training, see this page on my site www.katberard.com/hol_horses.htm.

Blessings to all of your readers on their fascinating Journey with horses! Namaste, Kat

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