There are many healing modalities that depend upon TOUCH: massage, reflexology, Reiki, acupressure and so on...
And that's all wonderful, but I want to talk about simple, gentle touch.

I have a 19 year old dog named "Basil" and I've had her since she was dumped over 16 years ago where I lived on Furnace Street. She is now a bit fragile and I am very careful when I brush her - I could knock her over! But it is imperative that I pet and touch and gently hug her daily.

Because of the response and benefit I recognize when touching my dogs or grooming and hugging my horses, I am now more aware of the value in hugging and holding people. People are less likely to ask for touch - and, in reality, many people have such trauma in their lives that touching them is perceived as violence! In these cases (and you figure it out quickly!) a pat on the shoulder can be a horrible experience.

But, for family members, especially the elderly, being hugged several times a day can be life affirming!

I have a big, sweet white horse who walks beside us with his nose touching our arms - often he is smelling us! With Majic, he is not invading our space or pushing boundaries - he is gently, genuinely connecting. He will hug me. So will Hank, Penny and Susie. They feel safe hugging people they know (they hug with their necks, if you were wondering!).

Touching horses is a mutually beneficial act! The horse learns a lot about us when we groom, massage and hug him. A first encounter with a new horse should not begin with a big hand grabbing at his face, but instead, should be a firm, gentle touch of his shoulder that asks "permission" to handle his body. When we get connected to a horse, our blood pressure stabilizes and our breathing becomes deep and rhythmic. Horses heal us. We can heal them.

if your intentions are honorable!

Approach a horse in a state of anger and watch him get away as soon as he can. Approach the same horse with admiration and a calm demeanor and see him ask for attention.

We have physical "body language" we use - we can be taught ways in which to influence horses as if we ourselves are horses, mimicking equine behavior and signalling (I wonder what they truly think about it). And we have, just by innate nature, the effect of communication by human posture and attitude. Horses are wise. They figure us out!

I personally believe in talking to horses. I tell them where I am when I'm mucking or approaching them because I do not wish to surprise them (horses don't like surprises).

I believe in explaining things verbally and having a set of consistent words and phrases that connect me with my horses. Many a student says, "come on" to a horse when they mean "walk", "trot", "turn", "move over", "back up", etc. Horses are smart - use the words for what you mean - "Come on" isn't very clear to humans either!

And the horses that I teach on listen carefully to the instructions I give to a rider - sometimes my horses misinterpret things when I've been simply discussing the mechanics of the canter and will do a lovely depart just from a shifted sitting bone.

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She has blessed my life and I have tried to be there for her on every level.

We can only do the best we can do - but simple things on a daily basis just might make all the difference to a dog, a horse, a parent or a spouse.

To be touched is to be acknowledged. It tells us we are important and cherished. A professional massage can't hold a candle to a truly loving foot rub that was offered without prompting or in exchange for anything! Your dog feels that way, too. A touch on the head as you pass by... for a horse, just caring enough to rub an itchy head (or let her rub her head on your bottom - Susie loves that) or groom him - these things say "you are important"

Every living being just wants to be cherished.

 We wish you health & Happiness!
Katharine & everyone at Dharmahorse