Thrivival

A major component of the GRE program is that the horse is #1 in the priority list. We are aware that many programs will say, and some seem to believe, that the needs of the horse come first.

But this does not come easily. As Homo sapiens, as mammals in fact, we are hardwired to put ourselves---our c

onvenience, our wants---first. It's a survival instinct. Unfortunately, only a select few in any species ever understand that by mindfully enriching and enhancing the lives of others by understanding their needs (nb: NEEDS, not wants) we are actually increasing not only our own capacity for survival but for thriving (thrivival?). Which is so much better.

The primary underlying principle in the GRE program has always been to understand 'how it feels to the horse'. To learn first what the horse really needs, which to oversimply, is to feel safe. Then, to learn exactly HOW to be sure we are allowing the horse to feel safe and secure, even content and possibly happy. To learn how to allow the horse to crave our companionship above all else.

While learning this skill, it's equally important that we learn how to speak horse, so we can choose and control our own bodies and emotions, as well as accurately read and understand the messages the horses so willingly transmit to us.

These are skills that need to be nurtured, practiced, and grown.

Here is a related podcast that doesn't mention horses once. It's about empathetic joy, or as we say at GRE: 'Your horse is releasing dopamine, please share it with him!'

[Editors tips: I didn't find the first seven minutes too useful so you might want to skip over that. A few minutes later it was especially significant when the host mentions how developing the skill of empathetic joy will lead to better emotional regulation, planning, and decision making. It's also noteworthy around 41 minutes when one of the expert guests talks about the practice needed to truly make prioritizing the needs of others a habit.]