One of our horse listeners, who is also a professional musician, composed and performed this magical piece of music for Cobra on her oboe. What happens when we play the music she sent?
This was such a beautiful and unexpected gift! I expected to just play it once or twice, but the horses remained engaged and gathered near the speaker, so we just kept playing it over and over again. We must have played it for a good half hour, until it felt like they were ‘done’ with it.
The most remarkable thing for me is what happened with Makah-Mahpee. As I stood in the field with the herd, watching Cobra, Makah came up behind me and said, “I’m going to touch your arm so don’t startle, or you’ll make me startle/jump!” So I prepared myself and he came alongside me and touched my arm with his nose, then pressed the top of his neck into my arm. He held it there and the sweetness of his ‘hug’ was so precious! As the music played, he slowly worked his way along his entire body, pressing each section into my arm/side and holding it there lovingly. It was one of the most deliciously precious experiences I’ve ever had – one of aching intimacy and great privilege.
Makah only allows me (and others) to touch him briefly on his nose in greeting. Otherwise he will allow me to stand within a hair’s width of his skin, because he trusts me 100% that I will honor his wishes and not try to touch him. I am continually amazed at how much this sweet horse wants to engage fully with me, yet not be touched. So of course, I am learning so much from him about what is possible when all is energy.
Even Kaliah has told me that although Makah trusts me with his life, he purposely does not allow me to touch him, so that he can teach me. So imagine how mind-blowing this was, after 2 years together, for Makah to ask to touch and feel my body. He didn’t break his rule – as I did not touch him. But he wanted to feel what I felt like, along every part of his body, from his neck to his rump. Truly, one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received and one I will treasure always.
Jini Patel Thompson is a natural health writer and Lazer Tapping instructor. She began riding at age 2 in Kenya, and got her first horse at age 8 in Alberta, and so continues a life-long journey and love affair with these amazing creatures.
Hi jini – such a lovely video showing horses engaging with music! All the frequencies seem to really intrigue them and i personally believe they get as much from music as us humans do. My horses love the song ββamazing graceβ which i hum to them as a βchill out tuneβ when im detangling their mane etc…..they end up dropping their necks low and snoozing – they love it!
Im going to try as you have, and playing other music through small speakers to see which they prefer. I wonder if classical music will engage them most , just as studies show plants, when played classical music grow towards the speakers and try to envelop the speakers.
Thanks for sharing such precious moments with your vibrant herd!
Love from Ireland π
Bee
Hi Bee! I guess you’re getting the winter rainy grey days now too – good days to play music in the barn! And I agree, Amazing Grace is a great song to sing and loved by all for sure. I saw an experiment they did with horses and music and the horses preferred Classical and Country music over all other genres. Zorra’s fave piece is Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Then one time I felt led to play it for Kaliah and she too stood there riveted for half an hour. I didn’t know about the plant studies though – so cool!!
Thats so lovely! I wonder what classical pieces will become my horses favourite? – i cant wait to experiment.
In the plants study, heavy rock and metal caused the plants to grow away from the speakers.
Its from βThe Secret Life of Plantsβ by Peter Tompkins 1973 – a wonderful exploration into plant sentience.
Animal sentience is more easily discerned than plants, yet still requires us humans to have the stillness and openess to be able to βhearβ them fully. Your blog/channel is thoroughly enjoyable in exploring that aspect in horses. Thanks so much in sharing your journey!
I find trees super communicative. And the plants would probably communicate more if I took the time! Right now, we have a deal – they need to tell me when they need water, since it’s too much work for me to keep track of who needs water when (some like more, some like less). That works really well. Thank you for the book reference, I’m reading a book right now that references Tompkins work, but I will get his original book for sure! xo
Awe, thats so amazing! How cool is he! After the horror we put them thru, he still has a trusting heart. What an amazing soul, not only with forgiving but to have the wisdom to teach about it!!! Blows my mind… but then i can never stay fully present for long periods, which i believe all other beings on our planet do… except humans. (Most arent even humane… let alone aware.) All the best to you and all of yours…π Namaste Jini
Have you tried any of the meditations with the herd, Deb? These will help you sink in…
https://listentoyourhorse.com/meditation-journey-with-the-herd-for-anxiety-loneliness-or-fear/
and
https://listentoyourhorse.com/guided-healing-meditation-in-the-big-barn/
are great places to start. xox
I think the relationship between horses and music is an area that warrants some exploration.
My old pony used to love “Blue Bayou” (Roy Orbison). It became our “chilling out” song.
Great choice and total chill tune π
Complete loveliness! So many gifts in this offering! The music the interaction with Makah Maphee! Just true connection! The music composed for Cobra obviously meant a lot to him! The device it was being transferred with was maybe not his favorite part but once you showed him that you could touch it and allow him a way to explore it then he seemed at peace! I love how the herd supports him and especially Xadaa stepping right up to show him that there was no danger just peace! Watching horses support each other with there strengths and weaknesses has been very interesting for me to watch and observe! They truly give beautiful examples of how supportive relationships are so beneficial and so important to help others through life!
Again & Again & Again …they demonstrate how
they are the Best teachers on the planet π!
βπΌππ΄
Yes you caught that eh? Xadaa bouldering in front of him, “Here Uncle Cobra, it’s fine!” My two dogs do that too and Kumba won’t try a new food until he sees whether Tiah will eat it, or not. The music felt like a final/closing piece for him. π