Reins & Reflections
“Reins & Reflections: Understanding My Inner Dialogue (With a Little Help From Horses)”
We all have it a always talking little voice. There’s something about horses—the way they respond to energy, not words—that reminds me how much we communicate below the surface. Like horses, our bodies and minds are always speaking. The trick is learning how to listen.
This week, I took a moment to explore the dance between thoughts and feelings through a gentle reflective worksheet, inspired by mindful horsemanship and emotional awareness. Here’s where that journey took me:
- What thoughts have been on your mind lately? Lately, I’ve noticed a recurring thought whispering, “I’m falling behind.” It tends to sneak in when I scroll through social media or glance at my never-ending to-do list. It’s the mind’s attempt to organise and evaluate, but left unchecked, it stirs up a sense of urgency that tightens my chest. Recognising it as a thought, not a truth, has helped me give it a name without giving it control.
- What feelings have been showing up in your body? More than anything—restlessness. Like a horse pawing at the ground, I’ve felt jittery in my shoulders, and there’s this low hum of pressure behind my ribs. At the same time, there have been pockets of peace, usually when I step outside or find a quiet rhythm in the day. That tells me my body is aching for more presence and less pressure.
- Can you identify a moment when a thought triggered a feeling? Yes—earlier this week, I thought, “I need to get this perfect,” while preparing for a presentation. Almost immediately, my stomach knotted, my breath shortened, and I felt overwhelmed. That one thought sent my nervous system galloping. But when I shifted the thought to, “It’s okay to do my best and not be perfect,” I felt an exhale open up in my chest. That’s the power of reframing.
- How did your body react to that feeling? Tension! My shoulders crept up like I was bracing for something, and my jaw clenched tight. But once I noticed, I got up, did a few stretches, and imagined brushing a horse’s back—slow, grounding, rhythmic movements. That helped release some of that built-up energy.
- What helps bring balance between your thoughts and feelings? Mindfulness, journaling, and time with animals (especially horses). Horses don’t judge— they feel. When I’m around them, I drop out of my head and into my breath. Journaling also helps me name the thoughts and feelings that otherwise stay tangled. And sometimes, just asking myself: “Is this thought helping or hurting?” opens the space to choose a gentler perspective.
Final Reflection: The more I practice this, the more I realise that thoughts and feelings aren’t enemies—they’re messengers. Like a trusted trail horse, they can guide me through rocky terrain if I learn to listen with curiosity, not criticism.
If this reflection resonates with you, I invite you to grab a notebook, find a quiet moment (maybe near a paddock or a favourite tree), and answer these questions yourself. You might be surprised at what your inner dialogue reveals—beneath the thoughts, beneath the feelings—is the steady rhythm of your truest self, ready to lead.
