Su Burnett

Intuition & Animal Communication

Equine Immune System Strengthening Acupoints

by

Today, the immune system is the topic of the day. Many of my horse friends are now finishing their competitive seasons. In this transition period of training into rest, they are requesting these acupressure points, to help boost their immune systems, to replenish and fortify their systems, which may have become depleted over the course of the summer due to frequent exposure to trailering, competitions and other horses who may have had contagious conditions. All of these acupressure points are beneficial in strengthening the immune system.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 3,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy (Qi or chi) to promote health and healing. Using the same points as Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupressure applies a comfortable range of pressure from gentle to firm. Acupressure is safe, non-toxic and definitely habit forming… and the horses love it!

To perform acupressure,  place the ball of your thumb or middle finger on the acupressure point. Gently apply direct pressure to the point while exhaling. Use prolonged pressure directly on the point; gradual, steady, penetrating pressure for approximately three minutes is ideal. Slowly release the point while inhaling and move on to the next point. Trust yourself, relax, breath deeply,  go with the flow of energy and enjoy!

Immune System Boosting Acupoints for Dogs

by

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 3,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy (Qi or chi) to promote health and healing. Using the same points as Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupressure applies a comfortable range of pressure from gentle to firm. Acupressure is safe, non-toxic and definitely habit forming… And dogs absolutely love it!

Be aware that there is no “right” location in acupressure. The exact location of equine, canine, feline and human acupressure points depend on the source. Acupressure drawings offer you a guide, not an exact map. Do your best and trust your intuition. To perform acupressure,  place the ball of your thumb or middle finger on the acupressure point. Gently apply direct pressure to the point while exhaling. Use prolonged pressure directly on the point; gradual, steady, penetrating pressure for approximately three minutes is ideal. Slowly release the point while inhaling.

GV 14- Big Vertebra Location: On the midline of the back, where the neck vertebra meets the vertebra of the back. Lifting the head up and down, find the hinged place just in front of the “big” vertebra. Place your finger into the big hole there. Benefits: Supports immune system.

B 23- Sea of Vitality Location: On the middle of your dog’s side, locate the last rib, then go straight up to the spine. find the point in the indentation beside 2nd lumbar vertebra. Benefits: Fortifies the immune system as well as relieves lower back ache and fatigue.

LI 4- Joining the Valley Location: Inside the first toe, in the web between the dewclaw or where the dewclaw would be. Benefits: Improves immune system, relieves pain in face, foreleg and toothaches.

P6-Inner Gate Location: Find the sole pad behind the wrist on the front leg. Move up the leg to the depression between two tendons that run up the back of the leg.  Benefits: Boosts immune system, relieves nausea, vomiting, balances internal organs and calms the spirit.

TW 5- Outer Gate Location: Run your hand down the outside of a front leg. The point is in the indention between the bones, about a sixth of the distance between the wrist and elbow. Benefits: Improves immune system, ear problems, nausea, vomiting, stiffness in head, shoulders and neck, regulates and relaxes entire body.

LI 11- Crooked Pond Location: Lift the foot, flex the elbow, and you’ll find a crease forms on the outside of the elbow. Feel for the depression at the end of the crease, just in front of the bony prominence. Benefits: Relieves immune system weaknesses, allergies, infections, constipation and fever.

CV 6- Sea of Energy Location: On the midline of the belly.  Benefits: Boosts immune system,  relieves lower back ache, fatigue, constipation, replenishes energy reservoirs.

Liv 3- Bigger Rushing Location: On the inside hind paw, above the innermost toe. Find a slight depression about a third of the way between the top inside toe and the bottom of the ankle joint. Use broad strokes on the side and front paw area. Benefits: Improves immune system, relieves headaches, eye and reproductive disorders, irritability and arthritis.

K 3- Bigger Stream Location: On the inside of the hind leg, just above the ankle in a large pocket. Benefits: Boosts immune system, relieves ear problems.

St 36- Three Mile Point Location: On the outside hind leg, just below the knee, in a clear depression in the middle of the muscle toward the front of the leg. Benefits: Boosts energy, strengthens the whole body, especially immune system, aids digestion and relieves fatigue.

Acupressure Points for Facebook Changes!

by

Ha Ha, am amused today by the horses blog subject request. Acupressure points for frustration, irritability  and dealing with Change for humans. The last few weeks, I have switched from using a PC to a Mac. It’s been like returning to kindergarden learning a whole new system. I had to use these points frequently to help me calm myself as I navigated my way through what was once easy, simple and done without thought, to being overwhelmed, frustrated, overloaded by information and ready to scream. They helped immensely. Now, just as my confidence was returning, not only has Facebook renovated, but so has this webpage setup! So the horses are laughingly recommending I post these points for all humans who are dealing with frustration and irritability as they adapt to change.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 3,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy (Qi or chi) to promote health and healing. Using the same points as Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupressure applies a comfortable range of pressure from gentle to firm. Acupressure is safe, non-toxic and definitely habit forming…

To perform acupressure,  place the ball of your thumb or middle finger on the acupressure point. Gently apply direct pressure to the point while exhaling. Use prolonged pressure directly on the point; gradual, steady, penetrating pressure for approximately three minutes is ideal. Slowly release the point while inhaling and move on to the next point. Trust yourself, relax, breath deeply,  go with the flow of energy and enjoy!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Acupressure Points for Trauma & PTSD

by

These points are super beneficial for horses, who have experienced accidents, abuse or any other traumatic incident.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 3,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy (Qi or chi) to promote health and healing. Using the same points as Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupressure applies a comfortable range of pressure from gentle to firm. Acupressure is safe, non-toxic and definitely habit forming… And the horses absolutely love it!

To perform acupressure,  place the ball of your thumb or middle finger on the acupressure point. Gently apply direct pressure (approximately 2-4 pounds of pressure) to the point while exhaling. Use prolonged pressure directly on the point; gradual, steady, penetrating pressure for approximately three minutes is ideal. Slowly release the point while inhaling and move on to the next point. Use and trust your intuition as the horse will often guide you and direct you on the length of time and amount of pressure they desire. As you are working with a horse who has experienced trauma, move slowly and be aware of breathing deeply and slowly. Your relaxed breathing will help  relax and calm the horse, making them more receptive to the benefits of acupressure. Even gently messaging in the areas where the points are located will help them release the memory of the incident, calm their spirit and relax stress and tension in their bodies.

image

Dog Acupressure Points for Hearing and For Airplanes

by

Today, the horses would like me to talk about flying and inner ear imbalances. A few days ago, I spoke to a dog, who was born in France and flew to Canada as a 6 month old. She was experiencing inner ear imbalance from the flight. The description she gave me was of when pressure builds in the ear canal while the plane is taking off, adjusting to alitude or landing and you yawn to clear it. She never cleared it. She was experiencing loss of hearing, clumsiness on stairs and jumping on and off the couch, it confused her and was causing some mental and emotional distress. So, these acupressure points are for all those lovely dogs, who have flown in airplanes. They are very beneficial to be aware of if you are intending to travel with your pet. Do them before the flight, during, if the pet is on the plane with you and a several times after landing and settling into the environment. These points are also beneficial if your dog is experiencing loss of hearing.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy (Qi or chi) to promote health and healing. Using the same points as Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupressure applies a comfortable range of pressure from gentle to firm. Acupressure is safe, non-toxic and definitely habit forming… And dogs absolutely love it!

Be aware that there is no “right” location in acupressure. The exact location of equine, canine, feline and human acupressure points depend on the source. Acupressure drawings offer you a guide, not an exact map. Do your best and trust your intuition. To perform acupressure,  place the ball of your thumb or middle finger on the acupressure point. Gently apply direct pressure to the point while exhaling. Use prolonged pressure directly on the point; gradual, steady, penetrating pressure for approximately three minutes is ideal. Slowly release the point while inhaling.

GV 20- Hundred Meetings Location: On top of the head, in a notch just forward of boney protuberance on the midline, between the ears. Use back and forth motion in the notch. Benefits: Clears the mind and calms the spirit.

TW 21-Ear Gate Location: In front of the ear above SI 19

SI 19- Listening Palace Location: In front of ear below TW 21

GB 2- Reunion of Hearing Location: In front of ear below SI 19 Benefits: All of these points relieves ear aches, hearing problems, pressure inside ear, also alleviates jaw tension, toothaches and headaches.

TW 17- Wind Screen Location: Just below the ear, in a well defined hollow Benefits: Deafness, all ear diseases, invigorates energy, clears the sensory openings and relaxes facial tension.

TW 5- Outer Gate Location: Run your hand down the outside of a front leg. The point is in the indention between the bones, about a sixth of the distance between the wrist and elbow. Benefits: Ear problems, nausea, vomiting, stiffness in head, shoulders and neck, regulates and relaxes entire body.

K 3- Bigger Stream Location: On the inside of the hind leg, just above the ankle in a large pocket. Benefits: Relieves ear problems.

H 7- Spirit Gate Location: On the outside back of the the lower front leg. Bend the wrist and feel for the large, natural depression formed slightly above and behind the wrist crease. Benefits: Relieves anxiety and fear, quiets mind, calming and strengthening the spirit.


Acupressure points for Irritability, Frustration and Dealing with Change

by

As the weather is shifting in coolness here in Canada, for many of my athletic horse friends, this means the competitive season is slowing down. They requested these acupressure points as they are experiencing frustration, irritability and are dealing with the change in their training routines. These are also super helpful for horses settling into a new environment, working with a new rider, dealing with grief or change of any kind. They are also beneficial for those horses that just have a personality that is Diva-ish! I am sure you’ll know if your horse is one of these types!

Acupressure is an ancient healing art developed in Asia over 3,000 years ago, using the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy (Qi or chi) to promote health and healing. Using the same points as Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Acupressure applies a comfortable range of pressure from gentle to firm. Acupressure is safe, non-toxic and definitely habit forming… And the horses absolutely love it!

To perform acupressure,  place the ball of your thumb or middle finger on the acupressure point. Gently apply direct pressure (approximately 2-4 pounds of pressure) to the point while exhaling. Use prolonged pressure directly on the point; gradual, steady, penetrating pressure for approximately three minutes is ideal. Slowly release the point while inhaling and move on to the next point. Use and trust your intuition as the horse will often guide you and direct you on the length of time and amount of pressure they desire.

Here are the acupressure points, their traditional names and benefits.

GV 24.5- Third Eye Point Benefits: Good for spiritual and emotional imbalance, use for calming your horse.

 GB 20-Wind Pond Benefits: Relieves irritability, injuries, trauma and shock. Alleviates head and neck tension and pain. Helps with eye problems. Use for arthritis.

GB 21-Shoulder Well Benefits: Relieves irritability, frustration, fatigue and nervousness. Alleviates shoulder pain and arthritis. Use for hock pain, softens tense muscles.

LU 1- Central Palace Benefits: Relieves breathing difficulties, chest tension and congestion, emotional tensions, coughing and skin disorders.

CV 17- Middle of Chest Benefits: Relieves nervousness, anxiety, frustration and irritability. Influential point for energy. Use to improve overall energy of your horse. Use for all lung conditions, especially chronic problems. Stimulation of this point will increase or disperse energy, depending on your horse’s needs.

CV 12- Center of Power Benefits: Harmonizes the stomach, relieves gastrointestinal problems and relieves emotional stress. Colic point.

GB 30-Jumping Circle Benefits: Relieves frustration, irritation, hip pain, sciatica, lower back pain and rheumatism. Relaxes the tendons and restores joint mobility.

Joy to the World

by

To continue with our immensely enjoyable theme of singing, today the dogs would like me to share an experience.  A few monthes ago, I had the good fortune to catch up with a female dog named Patches. She and her human share an extraordinary bond.  A year or so ago, her human had asked me if Patches could tell us about her history. Patches came to her human, when she adopted her from the SPCA. She had been found under a little used underpass on an old dirt road, in a condition that indicated that she had been in the wild for quite some time.

Patches had many quirks, her human felt knowing her history would help explain some of these and help her to better understand Patches. So she told us her story, it was quite inspiring and remarkable that she had survived with her spirit intact, still willing to trust us humans, open to love, with only a few odd reactions to her environment. When, I recently got to catch up with her, she was no longer in survival mode, she was much calmer, peaceful and relaxed.

Her human asked about when they traveled together in the car. “Patches makes a yelping sound…it starts low, then it gets louder, it gains intensity and she does it the WHOLE trip!”

“So it makes you uncomfortable?” I asked her.

“YES! I am worried that she’s uncomfortable herself, unhappy, or is in distress and is trying to tell me something… sometimes it drives me crazy…” She answered.

“So it distracts you then?” I asked.

“Yes, I’m afraid she doesn’t like the car. I get so worried that there’s something wrong and I can’t figure out what it is…She has to come in the car…but we don’t go very far anymore, in case there’s something wrong…” She replied.

To this, Patches had a delightful response…which still makes me smile. “Oh….I LOVE the car! Everything is okay…” She said.

“Then why do you yelp?” I asked.

“I’m not yelping...” She replied. “I’m singing!” Then with great gusto and glee, I heard her singing…”Joy to the world…We’re in the car… Joy to the people passing by…We’re in the car!”

As I sang this to her human, she burst out laughing. “Oh,” she chuckled, “that’s good! Maybe I’ll sing along with her!”

Valdi- Grief and That Wonderful Song

by

Singing is the topic of the week with the horses! They would like me to share some of my experiences of singing. They LOVE when we sing and rue the day that humans became so self conscious of making sounds vocally. To them any singing, whistling, clicking, etc are lovely and are merely us moving energy and air throughout our bodies using sound.  To the horses, these sounds have a calming influence, relax them and they always recommend singing while experiencing grief. They also want us to be aware that crying is merely our body releasing excess water and salt, it is only us humans who let our minds judge ourselves for this release.

So here is an experience that happened in Brentwood, Nova Scotia,  on Boxing day, December 26th, 2010.

Here we are, standing with our friends Sky and Clay. They are Clydesdales, tall, gorgeous and gentle. Sky has gorgeous blue eyes. Clay is rather funny, sometimes goofy, they are both very handsome and polite. They are incredibly sad today. Their fiend and teammate Valdi has died, he has been poorly for years, nature has taken it’s course and he is now buried behind the barn. They miss him very much. Especially, the sounds he made and his magnificent sense of humour. Valdi made them laugh and smile even when he was in pain. They are in a bit of shock and are physically missing their friend and teammate.

Clay is concerned about Sky. Clay understands that he is not clever enough to now be the leader of the heard. Sky seems confused and unable to take charge. “Could you sing that wonderful song please,” he asks. “Singing will cheer Sky up. ” He adds. ‘Mhmmmmm…what is that wonderful song?’I began to wonder to myself.

Years ago, in a workshop I learnt a song. It has been invaluable with animals since. I often sing it to animals who have experienced trauma, illness, injuries or shock. It calms their spirits, soothes them mentally and physically relaxes them. Singing comes naturally to me when I’m with certain animals…Perhaps that would be the wonderful song that Clay wants…

So…I start singing….Blessed are you. Freedom are you. You are the infinite within your soul. You have no beginning and you have no end. All this you are.

Blessed am I, freedom am I, I am the infinite within my soul, I have no beginning, I have no end, all this am I.

Blessed are we, freedom are we, we are the infinite within our souls, we have no beginning, we have no end, all this we are.

After warming up and singing a few rounds, I checked in with Clay… “Make eye contact, as much as possible, with Sky,” he says, “Add some rhythm too the song! Speed it up, move your body, sing louder and sing that wonderful song please!”

Okay, sing it again…feeling a bit self conscious, there are no humans around but am feeling as if the neighbours might possibly be peeking through their drapes, wondering to themselves what IS that women doing in that paddock? Shaking myself and doing my best to let go of self consciousness, I put some life into the song, grooving it up a bit and swaying my hips, singing louder and with some flair. As I sing, I make eye contact with Sky and Clay. They have gotten taller, their postures are finally relaxing, and they are holding eye contact for longer periods. Clay says ” wonderful, wonderful, a great song, would you sing that wonderful song though please! 

Mhmmmm…the current soundtrack in my head is all Christmas music..So….Laughing all the way….hahahahahahah ha ahahahahahahahha! … Over the fields we go….In a two horse open sleigh… Hey! I am pleased with this choice, amused by it actually, after all these two have been in competitions pulling sleighs, hitches, wagons and such. “Yes, Yes good one!” Clay agrees…”Please sing the wonderful song now!”

Mhmmmm…can vaguely hear some distant lyrics…Bluebird…Ahhhhhh…Gone away is the bluebird…here to stay is the new bird…de de de deeee….walking in a winter wonder land…. “Good, good.” Clay applauds us…”Now sing the wonderful song please!”

Gracious! All I can hear through the insistent, Christmas song soundtrack in my head, sounds vaguely like a Fat Boy Slim song…It’s a wonderful life…but no, even with my eyes scrunched up and humming uneven rhythms, I am unable to catch it…So. I sing a bit more, talk with my friends about their questions and concerns about Valdi’s bones and with their assurances of lifted spirits venture home.

Now, the thing is, that I witnessed the horses lightening up, I could see it in their eyes, hear it in their breathing, feel it as they relaxed and their postures straightened and lengthened…I did my best and could relax and get on with something else. But, throughout the next day, while clearing and organizing post Christmas disarray…My mind was still curious about the wonderful song…What WAS the wonderful song…If I could only hear it a bit clearer…

Two days later, I am visiting with Valdi’s human friend. The horses would like music in the barn, classical music, Valdi. They would like their human friend to release her grief, to dive deep into the pain of it, to cry, instead of swallowing it.  They remind her that tears are merely excess water and salt that the body wants to release. By being in the barn with them and the music, it would benefit them all to have a grieve together. I tell her about singing to them, and how it cheered them up. She mentions that she used to have a song for each horse in the barn, but hasn’t been that aware of music lately. She does play the radio for them though. The horses, point out that they enjoy when the radio plays music, but the in between bits, the advertisements,  are really loud and have a very staccato rythmn that can be quite jarring. They would like continuous music, like a CD, with no people talking in between.

After awhile, we walk out to give the horses some cranberries. Clay has requested that I bring some Vitamin D drops and cranberries and feed them to Sky to lift his depression. He loves the sun, it keeps his spirits buoyant. This is the 9th day without sun in a row. The Vitamin D will help him. As we are feeding Sky…once again, Clay says…”Sing please, sing that wonderful song…” So I sing…Blessed are you… for a few rounds….We notice how the sounds perk up the horses. Then, Clay, thanking me, asks for that Wonderful song please…OH MY….WHAT ARE THE LYRICS TO THE WONDERFUL SONG??????? HELP!!!!!!

I mention it to his human…does she know it….I think maybe Louis Armstrong or somebody sings it…It’s old…..She just shrugs…GOODNESS, I will be glad to find out what these lyrics are…..glad to actually hear the tune in my head…..

So upon arrival at home, I immediately look up Louis Armstrong and voila! Here is the Wonderful song!

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom, for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces, of people going by
I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do
They’re really saying, I love you.

I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more, than I’ll never know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Yes I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
Oh yeah…

Yeah! Upon finding them I emailed them to my friend. I printed off the lyrics for myself and tucked them into my glove compartment in my car.  It was indeed a wonderful song to lift the spirits on those darker, sometimes lengthy grey winter days.  And now when lovely Clay asks for the Wonderful song, I can sing it too him and Sky! After all, those horse’s do have a habit of calling me in without warning as I drive by!

“You are a Rockstar!”

by

Ha, HA! I LOVE it, the theme of the week, according to the horses, is singing. It’s a wonderful reminder for me personally of the power, enjoyment and fun of singing. It has also made me aware of the soundtrack that plays in my head. The Pink Floyd song Money…Money…it’s a crime….. and the lyrics in their song Time…. You run and you run to catch up with the sun…but it’s sinking…. shorter of breath and one day closer to death… Have been tinkling away in my head for weeks, they are being erased at this very moment. They could possibly explain the ebb in energy and funding in the last few days!

I can clearly remember with a smile and much amusement, the day I had to appear in court in Hong Kong. I was feeling unnerved and anxious about the possible outcome. My gorgeous friend Jill arrived to keep me company as I got ready. She noticed that I kept singing and humming…I fought the law… but the law won.….by the Clash. Bringing this to my attention, with a smile and a twinkle in her eye, she suggested the lyrics from the song, I’m free, by the Soupdragons, pointing out they may be much more suitable and helpful!

So, here is the experience the horses want me to share with you all today. It happened in…

New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada. December 18th, 2010.

 I am standing in a stall, in a very old barn. I am with a mother and her two daughters. There are two horses in the barn with us. Chief, is speaking to the mother. He really enjoys when she sings in the mornings, while she’s mucking them out. He’s a retired racehorse, in the barn where he lived for many years, they played the radio continuously. He misses the rock music it played. He would like everyone to sing all the time. Horse’s as a collective, rue the day when humans stopped singing. In my great Uncle’s day, humans sang while they worked, they hummed and whistled. Now, according to the horses we are rather mute. When we become self conscious they remind us that our voice is beautiful, even if we are out of key. That they enjoy when we sing immensely no matter how we sound to ourselves.

Chief has me tell this story, to the mother and has an interesting take on the subject of singing…”You know when you are driving your car, and a really great song you love comes on the radio…you know how you belt it out…the acoustics are great…you sound amazing to yourself, you sound so good to yourself that you could go on stage…in fact you know you sound so good, you could replace the singer of the band…you know this feeling? Well, that’s how you sound to us all the time. That great! You are a rockstar to us! So please, please…. Sing! Sing all the time! It’s fun and it lifts everyone’s spirits!”

 

“Sing Louder, PLEASE!”

by

Sing, v.i. Carol, chant, lilt, troll, yodel, warble ____, v.t. Carol, chant, intone, cantillate, warble, hum, hymn, celebrate in song. Troll, v.t. 1. Send about, circulate, pass round. 2. Sing loudly.3. Angle with a trolling line; allure, entice, lure, draw on.____, v.i. 1. Sing a catch or round.

In 2001, I sat a 14 day Meditation retreat in Nepal. It was a grounding practise necessary for me to clear my mind and focus my awareness on my breath and a peaceful clear mind, we sat meditating for 10 hours a day, and had to remain completely still for an hour, 3 times a day. While practising with my Meditation teacher a few weeks later, he pointed out that I was rather serious about meditating, instead of sitting for an hour, I was now to laugh for 30 minutes, smile for 10, dance and move  for 20 and sing throughout. These are all considered meditating, so these exercises in focusing my awareness have been my practise since. Today the horses would like me to share some of my experiences of singing. They LOVE when we sing and rue the day that humans became so self conscious of making sounds vocally. To them any singing, whistling, clicking, etc are lovely and are merely us moving energy and air throughout our bodies using sound. Self consciousness to them is just our mind riding us and it’s voice is severe, judgemental and critical. They would much prefer if we rode our minds, instead of it riding us. So as you  move through your day today, pay attention to sounds around you, let them focus your attention and awareness on relaxing, breathing and enjoying yourself and being present.Add some sounds of your own, some humming, singing or sounding. Sing to your dogs, they love it….you may feel silly, but according to the horses’ that’s the point!

So, here is an experience that happened in the summer of 2010 at Free Spirit Stables in Nova Scotia, Canada.

At the request of my friend Donna and her daughter Alicia, I am visiting a horse rescue center. I am in a rather dark barn, leaning on a stall wall, with mud up to my shins, whispering to a horse. She’s so sweet, she has been stuck in this dark stall for months, unable to make physical contact with her Mum and the other horses or go outside into the light. She has never had a halter on.

For the first two years of her life, she lived outside with her Mum. She had never, ever been inside a man made structure. Although neglected, she experienced freedom and as close to wild as a horse can get these days. Upon arriving at the rescue center, she broke through all the electric fences, not knowing what they were and experiencing fear and anxiety, she got quite spooked. Without any means to lead her, getting her safely back to the barn took considerable time, effort and energy for the humans. For this little horse in her perspective she ran as she naturally would do, then got shocked from some wire and then got chased for hours.

To keep her safe, a stall had been haphazardly built within the barn for her, there was a huge gap, between her and the other horses. Until she could get a halter on, she was stuck and experiencing loneliness. Donna and Shelby, the owner of the stables wanted me to ask the horses if they have any suggestions in getting the halter on this baby, so that she can go outside and enjoy the air and have physical contact with them again.

The horses ask me to sing to the horse, that by singing I will gain rapport with her and encourage her to develop trust in humans again. So I sing a song that comes naturally to me, to calm spirits and relax animals.

After singing this a few times, the horses ask for a song in particular. “Can you sing KUMBAYA please?”

KUMBAYA…mhmmmmm, oh dear….for some reason this song makes me gringe…it reminds me of being incredibly uncomfortable and self conscious as an adolescent at summer camp, when trying to be like everyone else was confusing, lonely and anxiety inducing. Mhmmm….but this little horse is so sweet and deserving of relaxing, getting the halter on and getting outside, so that she can  get some sun on her body…so I lean over the makeshift fence and haltingly, whisper the words to the song….

“Louder, please…” The horses request.

Mhmmm, I glance over my shoulder, there are lots of people in the barn now…strangers who have gathered, curious about me and what I do….I am experiencing extreme self consciousness now…sing louder in front of a crowd? AND sing a song that makes me gringe… Mhmmmm… Taking a deep breath and clearing my throat, I hesitantly raise the volume of my singing….

“Sing louder please…” The horses say.

Darn! Okay…deep breath…exhale…and away we go…round after round of Kumbaya, as loudly as we can. Then, it becomes clear to me that Donna is the human the horse trusts enough to get her halter trained. Now, according to Donna, she is NOT a horse person. She likes them and everything, but it is her daughter who is passionate about them and has horse in her blood. She knows nothing about the tack, training or handling of horses. She receives the information about being the halter trainer with some disbelief, trepidation and fear. She doesn’t even know what a halter is or how it even goes on the horse. There must be someone else she suggests. But according to the horses, Donna is the one, they suggest she goes in the makeshift stall, sings Kumbaya and eventually the horse will be calm enough for a human to place something over her head.

There are many more questions for other horses, so as a group we leave this little horse, and move off to the paddock. Soon, I am ready to leave, say my goodbyes and get in my car. Before I can leave, Donna knocks on the window and jumps into the passenger seat of the car. She thanks me profusely for coming out to visit, saying that I probably had no idea how helpful the information I got was for everyone involved at the center. Then, suddenly she switches gear and in the middle of “how wonderful it was, how great….” She spluttered out loudly “How BLEEPING weird it was! ” To her surprise and delight, she has fallen in love with this lovely little horse, coming out to visit her, even when her daughter isn’t around. She likes to touch her and brings her treats. There is definitely a special bond between them  it’s like she was friends with this horse before. She can’t explain it, she enjoys it, but is puzzled by the whole thing. Now, what she is finding super weird about what just happened is…. so weird in fact, that it is causing her to swear…is that as a child she used to sing to herself when she felt anxious, alone or afraid…the song she ALWAYS sang to herself was KUMBAYA! “How amazing and weird is that?!!!!!” She says with wonderment and bewilderment in her voice, still  a bit freaked out by it, she asks. “How did the horses know that?”

To be honest, I was amazed and a bit weirded out myself. How DID the horses know that?AND what if my self consciousness about singing loudly in front of strangers had got the better of me? What if my judgement of the ‘coolness’ of a song had prevented me from singing it? Donna would not have heard the song, which calmer her, eased her anxiety and brought her peace.