THE NOW OF HORSES ... AND HOW TO ACHIEVE IT

Equine-assisted therapy may be the ultimate mindfulness training course.

- BY ALLAN HAMILTON, M.D.

I owe my presence to a black stallion named Otto, a cavalry horse trained by my grandfather to perform magnificently at the worst of times: charging uphill into artillery fire and rearing at the right instant to absorb the blast.

My grandfather survived, and so I am here, and I have devoted much of my life to training horses. It's an instant break from my life as a brain surgeon and academic. My wife Jane is not keen on riding; however, she is a psychologist who uses horses in her therapy practice to heal people emotionally.

Over countless years, people have trained horses to perform in any number of circumstances—war, racing, transport, farming, entertainment, and therapy. Nowadays, I think the most beneficial way to approach a horse is not as a trainer, but as a student. You don't need to own a horse or go on a horse retreat to take this lesson. The many certified equine-assisted therapists around the country (see box) can ensure that when you're ready, your teacher will appear.

THE FIRST LESSON IS PRESENCE

Unlike human beings, who often drift into memories of the past or project into imagined futures, horses are completely grounded in the immediate moment. Why? Because as large and imposing as they are, horses are prey animals. They evolved to remain alert to every rustle in the grass, every leaf that flutters, and every shift in the wind. In the wild, the distracted horse that drifts away from now becomes lunch. The horse's neurologic wiring, which creates a constant focus and awareness of the here and the now, makes them natural teachers of being present.