By Amanda Held
Have you ever wondered why some days with your horse feel magical, while others leave you frustrated and disconnected? The answer often lies not in your horse, but in yourself. Horses are remarkable mirrors of our internal state, reflecting back the energy we bring into their space. When we’re out of alignment with our unique "Human Blueprint," the effects ripple through our interactions, especially with our equine partners.
Living in or Out of Alignment
Your "Human Blueprint" encompasses everything that makes you unique—your values, traits, and purpose. When you’re aligned with your blueprint, you radiate energy into the world. This energy is magnetic, uplifting, and fosters trust and harmony in your environment. It’s the state where inspiration, clarity, and connection thrive.
But when you’re out of alignment—feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or trying to conform to something you’re not—you begin to pull energy from your surroundings. This energy imbalance doesn’t go unnoticed, especially by your horse. Studies, such as Karen McComb’s research on how animals communicate using emotional states, show that horses are incredibly sensitive to human emotions and intentions. They respond not only to our body language but also to the energy we project, which can either foster trust or create resistance.
Behavioral Problems: A Reflection of Your Energy
Have you ever had a day when your horse just wouldn’t cooperate? Perhaps they refused to load into a trailer, spooked during a ride, or seemed distant during groundwork. And then, someone else—like a trainer or a friend—steps in, and your horse suddenly complies without issue. It’s frustrating, right? But here’s the truth: the problem often isn’t with your horse—it’s with your energy.
Horses thrive on clarity and authenticity. When you approach them with unresolved internal tension, uncertainty, or frustration, they sense it immediately. This energy creates confusion and can even trigger defensive behaviors in your horse. However, when someone with aligned energy steps in, your horse feels safe and understood, allowing them to respond positively.
This isn’t about skill or technique—it’s about alignment. Andrea Kutsch, in her book The Gentle Touch, explains that horses communicate through behavior and reflect the energy of the humans around them. Behavioral issues often stem from human incongruence rather than any inherent problem with the horse itself. Recognizing this allows us to shift the focus inward and address the root cause.
Your Horse Has a Blueprint Too
Just as you have a unique blueprint that governs your values, traits, and purpose, so does your horse. While your horse’s blueprint isn’t as complex as yours, it is equally vital. Your horse’s blueprint revolves around their instincts, preferences, and natural rhythms. It governs how they respond to their environment and, most importantly, to you.
Horses are always reading the world around them—and that includes you. When you’re congruent with your blueprint, your horse will mirror that calm, balanced energy. But if you’re incongruent, your horse will reflect that dissonance. Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory provides insight into this, explaining how humans emit subtle physiological signals tied to emotional states. Horses detect these signals as part of their survival instincts, responding to them in ways that either build trust or create tension.
The Law of Energy Exchange
Living in alignment with your blueprint allows you to give energy to your environment. You emanate inspiration, clarity, and calmness. But living outside of your blueprint has the opposite effect: it pulls energy from your environment to compensate for the disconnection within you. This is why being around someone who is out of alignment can feel draining, and it’s why horses often react negatively when their human is misaligned.
Consider this: Have you ever left an interaction with someone feeling completely depleted? That person was likely out of alignment, drawing energy from the people around them. The same principle applies to your horse. When you’re disconnected from your blueprint, you may unknowingly draw energy from your horse, which can leave them feeling agitated, resistant, or even withdrawn.
Real-Life Feedback from Horses
Let’s explore how horses provide feedback when we’re misaligned:
Social Feedback: Horses will show us where we’re incongruent through their behavior. A horse refusing to approach, resisting cues, or seeming agitated may be reflecting an unresolved issue within us.
Physical Feedback: If social feedback is ignored, the disconnection can manifest physically—for example, as tension in the rider or even physical ailments in the horse. Horses often somatically absorb their human’s energy, which can result in physical issues.
If misalignment persists, the universe often delivers a significant "pattern disrupt." This could be an event so challenging that it forces us to reassess and realign. For example, horse behavior turning explosive and sometimes resulting in an injury to either the human or the horse.
Practical Tips for Realigning
Alignment doesn’t happen overnight, but consistent small actions can create a profound shift. Here are some actionable steps to help you realign and improve your relationship with your horse:
Ground Yourself First: Before stepping into the barn or pasture, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and connect to your body . Horses thrive on present, centered energy.
Practice Intentional Awareness: Pay attention to your body language, thoughts, and emotions. Notice how your energy changes as you approach your horse.
Learn to Observe: Your horse’s body language is a direct reflection of their emotional and energetic state. Ears pinned back, tail swishing, or a refusal to cooperate are not signs of defiance—they’re attempts at communication.
Set Small, Achievable Goals: Start with one simple task, like leading your horse around the arena or practicing groundwork. Focus on your alignment and their response.
Embrace Reflection: After every session, ask yourself: What went well? What could I have done differently? Journaling these reflections can reveal patterns over time.
How Alignment Transforms Your Horse’s Behavior
When you’re in alignment, you create a safe and clear space for your horse. Challenges transform into opportunities for growth. Behavioral issues diminish, and the relationship deepens. For example:
A horse that was once unresponsive to groundwork cues begins to engage with curiosity and trust.
Trailer loading becomes an easy process because your calm, aligned energy communicates safety and confidence.
Spooking decreases as your horse feels secure in your leadership.
These changes don’t come from "fixing" the horse—they come from aligning yourself.
Alignment as a Lifelong Practice
The journey toward alignment isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Horses remind us that authenticity is a practice—a continuous process of self-awareness and growth. Each day with your horse offers new opportunities to explore your own energy, adjust your alignment, and deepen your bond.
By recognizing the role your alignment plays in your horse’s behavior, you’ll uncover a deeper level of connection and understanding. Your horse is not resisting you—they’re trying to communicate with you. When you listen, adjust, and align, you’ll unlock the partnership you’ve always envisioned.
The journey toward alignment isn’t just about becoming a better horseperson; it’s about becoming the best version of yourself. Horses don’t just teach us about them—they teach us about us. Listen to their lessons, honor their feedback, and step into the beautiful dance of alignment and connection.
Join the Conversation
Thank you for taking the time to read this post! I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or experiences—feel free to share them in the comments below. If you found this blog helpful, please share it with fellow equestrians who might benefit from these insights. Together, we can build a more compassionate and connected equine community! 🐴✨
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References & Additional Information
Karen McComb et al., “Animals Communicate Using the Emotional States of Others,” Science Advances(2018).
This study demonstrates that horses can read human emotional expressions, showing their sensitivity to energy and intentions. This directly supports the idea that horses mirror human emotional states and respond differently based on human alignment.
Stephen W. Porges, The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation (2011).
Porges’ polyvagal theory explains how humans emit subtle physiological signals related to their emotional states, which horses detect and respond to. This supports your point about how alignment impacts interactions with horses.
Andrea Kutsch, The Gentle Touch: Horses and Humans: The Art of Communication (2010).
This book emphasizes how horses communicate through their behavior and reflect human energy, aligning with your assertion that behavioral problems often stem from human incongruence rather than the horse itself.
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