Horses, Mindfulness and the Natural Environment

Abstract

As previously described, a major theme running throughout the research study, related to both the young people and the adults, was based around the words ‘calm’ and ‘relaxed’. For the young people this seemed most strongly linked to the horses; for the adults, references to being in nature also featured quite strongly. The themes of being in nature and relaxing with the horses has links to the nature therapy literature (Berger & McLeod, 2006; Coleman, 2006; Peacock, Hind & Petty, 2007), and this is addressed in more depth later in this chapter, together with other suggested benefits from being in the natural environment with horses, such as the learning and physical benefits. First this chapter looks at how both being with horses and being in nature can perhaps bring people closer to experiencing what is described as mindfulness, in the modern Western concept of the practice. This is illustrated through examples from the data which show how the young people were able to adapt their behaviour, which sometimes appeared risky, and demonstrated an unawareness of their actions, in order to have effective relationships and experiences with the horses. To do this, the young people needed to become more aware of their body language and how their emotions and feelings affected the horses, whilst at the same time being relaxed and focused — similar principles to those described in some of the mindfulness literature.