Have you ever looked into your horse’s eyes and felt absolutely certain they knew what you were feeling? Not because of anything they did, but because you could see it in their eyes and feel it in your heart?
I’ve spent most of my life teaching people about the extraordinary emotional connection we can have with our horses. Some call it anthropomorphism, assigning human emotions to animals. But I’ve always believed horses are capable of far more love, compassion, loyalty, and concern than we give them credit for.
In 2023, something happened that touched me so deeply I still can’t tell the story without tears.
I had a terrible accident at my barn. It wasn’t a riding accident, and Merlin had absolutely nothing to do with causing it. He just happened to be there.
And as I lay on the ground, unable to move and in terrible pain, Merlin came to my side. He gently sniffed my injured leg, seeming to know exactly where I was hurting, yet never once touched it.
When I looked into his eyes, what I saw nearly broke my heart.
Worry. Compassion. Love. And a determination to protect me.
He wouldn’t leave my side. When people tried to move him so they could help, he pulled away and ran right back to me. It took two people to try to get him away, and eventually they let him stay until the ambulance took me. I was later told he stood watching intently as it drove away. Even they felt his concern for me.
And he was right. The damage to my leg was so severe that doctors told me full amputation was my only option.
And here’s something that makes Merlin’s reaction even more extraordinary.
I work with my horses at liberty. So there was absolutely nothing keeping him beside me. He could have gone anywhere on the farm.
But he chose me.
Here was this magnificent animal who depended on me for his care, standing over me when I couldn’t even care for myself. And in his eyes, I saw something I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life.
For years, I’d taught people that building love, respect, and trust creates a better partnership with their horses. That it helps our horses feel safe, understand us, and willingly work with us.
But that day, lying helplessly on the ground, I realized something I’d never fully considered.
What if we’ve been so focused on what our relationship with our horses means to US that we’ve overlooked just how much that relationship means to THEM?
Merlin wasn’t being asked to do anything. There was no training, no reward, no expectation. He was free to leave and go anywhere on the farm. But when I needed someone, he was there for me, he stayed.
Maybe the greatest gift of building that heart-to-heart connection isn’t what our horses are willing to do for us. It’s discovering just how much we mean to them. 💛
And I’m curious about something…
Have you ever had your horse do something that made you stop and think, “How did they KNOW that?”
Maybe it was when you were hurting, frightened, or going through something difficult. Maybe your horse showed you a side of themselves you’d never seen before.
I’d genuinely love to hear your story. Just hit reply and tell me what happened. 💛
Happy Horses!
P.S. That accident changed my life in ways I never expected, including the direction my work has taken today. If you’re curious about where that journey has led me and what I’ve been doing these days, I’d love to share it with you. 👇
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