My Philosophy

As a child I spent countless hours outdoors, in the safety and community of nature.

My wise council and best of friends were the wind, the grass, the horses, and I had wonderful conversations and experiences when gusts made me and my seagull friends laugh, and wet tongues of crashing waves caressed my bare feet and comforted my heart. I felt seen, heard and understood. Some may call it vivid imagination, others the need for healthy attachment and survival. I call it Kinship. 

 

Only in my 30's did I learn about Animism and it felt wonderful to know that I am not alone in my way of perceiving the world around me. Animism encompasses beliefs that all material phenomena have agency, that there exists no categorical distinction between the spiritual and physical world, and that soul, spirit, or sentience exists not only in humans but also in other animals, plants, rocks, geographic features (such as mountains and rivers), and simply all entities of the environment.

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In short, my study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence  is founded in Animism and that informs my life, my actions and also my horsemanship. I strive for Kinship. 

 

Kinship with Horses is a felt sense not just from me and you to the horse but also from the horse to us. It is ours to jointly discover, create and enjoy. Kinship is the foundation of my approach to horsemanship. It includes a sense of nurturing and care. Kinship felt by both horse and human cannot exist in strictly dominance, behaviorist nor leadership based horsemanship styles. Kinship always comes first and Kinship is not to be sacrificed by training but Kinship and Kinship informed training can coexist.

 

If this speaks to you I would love to work with you!