Spirit Animal - Horse

"Curious Colt" 

picture by Barbara Hirst copyright July 2008.

 

When I was born, my Dad was still using horses to pull the hay rake, haul the rack of bales to the barn, and  to haul feed to the cattle, especially in the winter.  Horses - black, brown, and pinto have been part of my life from Day One.  I find that I go for long times, now, without seeing or riding or even speaking with horses.  Yet, when I need that extra strength, or when travel calls, Horse shows up. 

Many people have a passion for horses.  Psychologists and psychiatrists link it to the need for male sexuality or for male energy.  I think this is a 20th Century concept.  Horses have been around since the earliest dinosaurs, and the people had a passion for the Horse then - or they would not draw it on cave walls or create horse symbols to wear around their necks.

Horses are about freedom!  The earliest myths and legends talk about flying horses, Horses that spoke with and travelled with Gods.  Since Man is not able to do that, then possibly Horses were more spiritual than man. We worshiped them!  In Norse, Greek, Roman, Hindu, and North American Aboriginal stories, the Horse plays a key role.  When Horse befriended our ancestors, man was able to travel farther and faster.  The horsepower allowed man to do more work and encouraged settlement and stabilization of tribes.  

There are many legends about wild horses all over the world.  It is the spirit and zest for life that draws man to the horse.  And, it is that same spirit that fires man's more brutal nature to tame the horse and beat the spirit out of it.  Some men believe that the Horse should not be nobler than man. So those people who have Horse as a guide are very much like the horse - they are fiercely independent.  They are intolerant of restrictions on freedom.  They are hard on their partners in relationships because the person with Horse spirit needs to be free.  Horse appearing may be notice that you need to travel to new territory, either geographically or in spirit.  Horse does not stay where the pasture is depleted.

Horse has a strict sense of status, based on leadership abilities and survival skills.  There is always a dominant stallion and a dominant mare.  The Mares call the shots about grazing, water, and moving, and most often settle disputes.  The Stallion is the protector and the lookout.  He will often be on high ground where he may easily see what is coming up around the herd. 

All horses are protective of the young and the wounded or sick.  Many who are healers have Horse Medicine as horses are natural healers.  It is this healing ability that has led to the creation of so many healing - riding programs.  Horse is one that likes to touch.  The Healer may have the gift of healing in their touch.  Horse will also gather the herd together to circle the wounded one.  Horse probably taught our ancestors about "healing circles", a gathering which is quite common in spiritual communities today.

Horse communicates with the herd via a shared consciousness or the "herd mind".  If you have been experiencing difficulties in communication with your family and friends and in work relationships, Horse may be telling you to use your other senses to discern what is going on, and to "see" with a bigger picture in mind.  This will make your words more win-win oriented, and less inclined to sound selfish.

Enjoy your time with Horse as your guiding Spirit Animal, and may you travel to new places!

Judith