The Wisdom of Horses: Lessons in Being, Leading, and Living Fully

Growing up with horses has taught me truths my body knew before I had words for them.

27 years later, I’ve come to understand that horses were never just companions, they were mirrors, teachers, and guides into the deepest truths of presence, power, and authenticity.

Photo: Nina Feith

A Portal to Presence

Looking into the eye of a horse is like entering a portal to my soul, a gateway guiding me into unity with all that has and will ever exist.

I am.

As the horse’s soft, warm breath caresses my skin, I remember my ethereal body—my deep connection to Mother Earth, my ancient home.

I feel.

A moment of stillness in the rushed world.

A pause.

Catching my breath from life in a society where ‘knowledge’ is acquired behind walls, achievements are titles written on paper, and money is power.

‘In a time where ‘doing’ equals success, how do I return to the art of being?’ I have asked myself over and over again.

The horses gave voice to what my body had been whispering all along, “Come home, Helena.”

My horses have taught me what it was like to be connected to your body in every given moment, feeling, expressing, fully being in my body. They perfect the mastery of embodiment, and invited me to explore my own.

The Art of Embodiment

When I ride, I must be fully in my body—every muscle, every breath matters. Working with horses has taught me to quiet my mind and root into the present moment.

One second of disconnection around a horse can be dangerous—those 600 kilograms can easily run me over, kick, or push me against a fence. This behavior isn’t born from a desire to harm, but rather from a misalignment between my actions and the signals conveyed by my body, emotional state, and intentions, disembodied leadership is inherently unsafe. We quite naturally understand how this lack of connection can be frightening for a horse. If we allow ourselves to delve a little deeper, we realize that this disconnection is often what frightens us the most, too.

Driven by my mind, I am neither a reliable leader, nor wholly present. Yet it’s exactly this full ‘me’ that the horses need, acting out of touch with my truth and what’s alive inside of me has never gained me a horse’s trust.

You may fool the world, fool yourself, but you can’t fool a horse. Horses read us straight to the core. They feel us, from miles away.

Radical Authenticity

My horses have always been the gentle guides into the most authentic expression of myself, challenging me to demonstrate my truth in all of my actions.

No hiding, no pretenses, no facades, but vulnerable, raw, and honest.

Radical presence, radical authenticity.

Whether I am sad, joyful, anxious, angry, frustrated, or depressed—horses take me as I am, and show me exactly where I stand.

To me, becoming still and watching a horse is like looking at the reflections on the lake of my inner world. Horses have revealed aspects of myself that I didn’t even know were there, expressed the emotions that I didn’t allow myself to feel, and showed me my darkest shadows without judgment, because they know no ‘good’ or ‘bad’—it just is.

“Come as you are, with all that makes you, because that’s why we love you,” I can feel them saying.

Being myself, unapologetically—full spectrum-me. True to the core, and understanding that this is the beauty of being alive.

Following My Yes

Like any other relationship, partnering with a horse continually invites us to reassess and refine our communication skills. I’ve had moments where my horse didn’t respond the way I wanted. I’d get frustrated, wondering what I was doing wrong.

‘Why are you still not getting it? Are my signals unclear? Am I straying from our established code of communication?’ I can hear my horse’s silent response, “You’re just asking too many questions.” Time seems to stand still as I pause to take a deep breath, and realize—I was doing everything right, except trusting myself.

I was following someone else’s method, instead of my own intuitive knowledge. Until I moved from a full-body yes, my horse couldn’t understand me. Because I wasn’t leading from the truth. My horse couldn’t follow me, until I learnt to follow… the gentle whisper of my heart.

Photo: Nina Feith

Leading Life Like I Lead My Horse

I began to understand that the artistry of leading a horse goes far beyond the time spent with my equine partner—The way I lead my horse is the allegory of how I lead my life.

As the creator in my own spotlight, sharing my gifts, expressing my voice, and stepping boldly into the unknown without looking back. Certain in my intentions, clear in my directions, and consistent in my actions. Owning my emotions and transforming them into power, taking full responsibility for the ripple effect each of my thoughts creates. This isn’t just horsemanship, it’s a philosophy of being.

And sometimes, I wonder—what would the world look like if we all led our lives the way we’re called to lead with horses—honest, present and without masks?

The Gentle Wisdom of the Horse

All these years, I thought I was leading the horse.

Now I know, it has always been the horses leading me. Into the truth of my body, the depth of my heart, and the wisdom of my soul. And as long as I shall live—guided by the horses.

And if this resonates with something inside you, know this:
You haven’t forgotten.

You were born knowing.

When will you wake up to remember?

When will you come home to yourself?

Photo: Nina Feith