Episode #6 explores the suggestions that get in the way of clarity, receiving and enjoying relationships.  

This episode examines a set of questions that many people grapple with: Am I a bad person for asking for something I want? Do they genuinely want to connect with me? What does it mean if they say no? How can I interpret if the “no” is specifically relating to the task, or more generally to my request for connection?

This conversation is in the context of working and being with horses, but the angst and wisdom apply far beyond relationships with horses.

Self doubt, lack of self confidence, and guilt plague many of us when we are unsure if we “should” be asking our horses to work with us;: these feelings within us come across to the horse as incongruent, unreliable, and undependable. Even though it comes from a place of love, when we put a lot of mental and energetic focus on what we might be doing wrong, we may be inadvertently casting a shadow on our relationship.

If we dig a little bit deeper, we find a new question: what is it in us that resists receiving the gift of another’s awareness, attention, and effort? The group discusses ancient stories, how horses played a vital role in the survival of humanity. It’s revealed  that these stories can embed within us a deep sense of gratitude, reverence and joy. The joy can emanate from that person, for horses and others to sense the joy from their heart.  As we reflect on our own stories, we recognize this as an invitation to see ourselves with a new lens, revel in possibilities and different perspectives that lead to transformation.  

What if we shifted our focus from what’s wrong to all the things we are both doing right? If we could honor the horse’s immeasurable capacity for forgiveness, we’d be free to approach every day with joy, playfulness, enthusiasm, reverence, and gratitude for their choice to connect with us. How might our relationship change if we shifted our perspective in this way?
Carla Bauchmueller Kerri Lake Jessica White Plume Chris Anderson Joell Dunlap

Podcast Guests

Joell Dunlap - www.squarepegfoundation.org
Jessica White Plume - @jessica.white.plume.5
Chris Adderson - www.forthehorse.com
Carla Bauchmueller - www.theintuitiverider.com
Kerri Lake - www.generateharmony.com

Music by Mark Rashid

Photography by Crissi McDonald