Virtual Visits

Some people are Dog People and some are Cat People. Some are both or neither. Sometimes horses are People Horses. These are the ones that come running (or walking) to you when you approach their pasture, even if it’s not feeding time. Other horses may run away because they don't want to be made to work. And some are just plain indifferent.

My guy Sammy comes right away when he sees me. If I don’t go directly to him, he generally begins running back and forth, and when I finally do join him I get chastised with a sharp whinny. “Where were you? You kept me waiting!” My previous mare, Libby, was polite and had a good work ethic, but I never got the sense that it mattered much to her whether or not I came to see her.

The People Horses take their relationships seriously, and notice when their people don’t show up as usual. Anyone who has gotten the cold shoulder from their horse after a long absence can testify to that. Remember Covid Shut Down? It took weeks for me to repair my relationship with Sammy after almost two months away. I’m sure I wasn’t alone in that regard.

What if you just can’t be there with your horse to the extent you are both accustomed to? Life gets in the way. Work gets in the way. People or family members become sick or just needy. Covid happens. We can’t always be there for the horses.

But actually we really can. If you can’t be with your horse physically, you can in spirit. And get this: it matters to them.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve checked in with an animal, to bring healing or to mentally “be” with them, and have been told that it effected a change in their entire attitude.  

One very special friend of mine, the French stallion featured on my site, is one who really enjoys his visits. Here is what his owner says. This was translated from French but I didn’t want to alter any of her words:

“I wanted to write to you about how your intervention to help Kitoko and me had—to say nothing of the physical aspect—brought a real charm, in the magical sense of the word, into our life together. There was more confidence, more cheerfulness, more lightness in our relationship. But I was a little late and, little by little, it seemed to me that this magic was fading away. I could feel Kitoko becoming like extinct, half absent, weary perhaps, or resigned. The shared joy was no longer there. And all of a sudden Kitoko was really tired, really sad, and he showed signs of colic. When I told you all this, your response came in the moment, indeed you had been less present to him because you had had several other animals to take care of, but you immediately visited him in thought and energy and... threat of colic disappeared, profusion of dung, cheerfulness and good humor returned. Super Stallion was back, is back. Thank you for your real “charm” Andrea. I can’t put into words how much I trust you and how grateful I am to you.”

If you can’t physically “be” with your pet, do it virtually, feeling the connection you usually experience. Picture approaching him in his usual place. Run your hands slowly and gently over his entire body. Share his breath. Share his space. If it is night time, look out into the darkness together and experience the crisp air, the stars and the moon. If daytime, feel the sunshine or smell the rain. Just experience and enjoy their essence. 

Let me know if you see it making a difference. I would love to hear from you.