Talking with horses

16/12/2024

Written by Alice johansen
Authenticity in the Equestrian World: A Balance Between Self-Expression, Responsibility, and Projection
Authenticity is often highlighted as a positive trait, especially in environments like the equestrian world, where relationships and communication are key. Being authentic—staying true to one’s own feelings and values—is frequently praised as the foundation for trust and harmony between humans and horses. But what happens when authenticity becomes an excuse to project one’s own feelings, traumas, and misunderstandings onto the horse? What about those who see their horse as an extension of their emotional world, interpreting its behavior through their own lens? In such cases, authenticity can shift from being a strength to becoming a weakness—or even a form of self-deception.
Projection: When Personal Emotions Take Over the Horse’s Reality
It’s not uncommon to meet people in the equestrian community who, in their pursuit of authenticity and self-understanding, transfer their own traumas and emotions onto their horse. These individuals often see in their horse a reflection of themselves, interpreting the animal’s behavior as if it were tied to their own feelings and experiences. For example, a rider struggling with anxiety might perceive a horse’s restlessness or resistance as a mirror of their own fear, rather than recognizing it as an independent reaction to the environment or situation. This dynamic can lead to the horse being unfairly cast as a "carrier" of the human's emotional baggage, creating misunderstandings and missteps in handling the horse.
A common example is riders or owners who interpret a horse’s resistance as "trauma" or "emotions" resembling their own. While there’s some truth to the idea that horses are influenced by human energy and presence, it’s a slippery slope to assign human feelings to them without basis. Horses are complex animals with their own instincts, needs, and behavioral patterns. However, they live in the moment and do not dwell on the past or analyze the world as humans do. By projecting our own emotions onto horses, we risk not only misinterpreting the situation but also creating problems that didn’t exist in the first place.
Authenticity vs. Self-Awareness
One challenge in the equestrian world is that authenticity is often interpreted as expressing all thoughts and feelings without filter. For some, this becomes a way to legitimize personal imbalance or insecurity rather than working on themselves to become a better leader and partner for the horse. Being authentic isn’t about always showing what you feel, but rather about being conscious of how your emotions affect yourself and others—including your horse.
When interacting with a horse, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced presence where you can distinguish between your inner experiences and the horse’s actual behavior. While it’s natural to seek connections between a horse’s reactions and your own feelings, it’s essential to approach the horse with openness and a willingness to see the world through its perspective—not just your own. This requires a level of self-awareness that goes beyond traditional notions of authenticity.
Misunderstandings and Misinterpretations
We often encounter equestrians searching for their own emotions and connections in their horse—seeing what they recognize in themselves but often misinterpreting it. A horse pulling away might be seen as fearful or insecure when it may simply be disinterested or distracted. A horse kicking out might be interpreted as anger when it’s actually responding to discomfort or pain. Such misinterpretations occur because humans have a tendency to interpret animals through their own emotional framework instead of objectively reading the animal’s body language and signals.
This lack of objectivity can create a self-reinforcing cycle where the owner adapts to the horse’s supposed feelings—which are actually projections—thereby reinforcing behaviors rather than addressing the real issue. This is not authenticity; it is confusion between personal emotions and the horse’s reality.
Being Authentic in a Responsible Way
Authenticity should always be balanced with self-reflection and responsibility. In an equestrian context, this means being honest with yourself about your own weaknesses and strengths while prioritizing the horse’s needs and perspective. It’s not always easy to differentiate between what comes from within yourself and what is truly the horse’s reaction, but this is precisely why seeking knowledge and understanding of equine behavior is so important.
Being authentic in a responsible way means acknowledging your emotions but not allowing them to dominate your interactions with the horse. It requires setting boundaries not just for others but for yourself—for instance, pausing to ask, “Is this something the horse is actually feeling, or am I seeing my own fear, insecurity, or expectations in it?”
Conclusion: A New Definition of Authenticity
Authenticity in the equestrian world is not merely about being genuine or open. It’s also about being aware of how your feelings and experiences influence your interaction with the horse and taking responsibility for seeing the horse as an independent being. When we transfer our own traumas or emotions onto the horse, we do it a disservice. Authenticity, therefore, is not just about self-expression but about self-control and compassion. To create a harmonious and respectful relationship with the horse—and with the people around us—we must learn to be authentic in a way that serves both parties, not just ourselves.