Animal Communicators

How often do we say, or hear others say, that we wish our horses could speak to us and vice versa? To tell us where they hurt, explain why they act a certain way, or for us to explain to them why they should not fear a certain object – the benefits could be endless. I hadn't had much experience with animal communicators until recently. I had always known they were out there, and from the results they were getting and things I was hearing I certainly believed that they could communicate with animals to some extent. But I think there is always a certain amount of skepticism in you until you have it done personally, and that experience either validates your opinion or causes you to discard it.

Out of curiosity I organized a barn “animal communication” party with a large group of horses and their owners at the farm with a well known animal communicator from the area. If nothing else it was going to be a fun day, listening to what each horse had to say. Some of the horses did not have much to say, and quite honestly they said some things that anyone could have just guessed. However there were certainly other points that were quite specific for each horse. And then there were a few horses that were just astounding to listen to as the information was so specific and correct.

At a later date I met up with the same animal communicator at a large equine tradeshow event. She asked to use one of my client's horses for a demonstration she was doing on communication, and I of course said yes. She pinpointed the mare's health issues, behaviour/training concerns and personality quirks with accuracy – and boy did that mare enjoy having someone's full attention!

Most recently I had a second communicator speak with a horse that I was passing on to a new owner. I wanted to ensure that the horse understood what was happening and that the horse would be happy. Said horse then went on to relay to me through the communicator why he and I didn't always see eye to eye, why he was happy with the new owner and the things the new owner could do to help him out a little more under saddle. This time every piece of information given was spot on, correct and specific – there was no question in my mind that this was my horse speaking. The only thing that made me feel a bit odd was the fact that this was all done through a phone conversation rather than the communicator physically being with my horse. However the information and results afterwards spoke for themselves. I went out the next morning to visit my horse .. as I stood with him and thanked him for his honesty he began to lick and chew and then sigh and yawn - a big thing for a horse that isn't usually terribly expressive. He was grateful to get some things off his chest and I was relieved to know how happy he was.

So, to sum up – everyone has their own opinion on this subject. I certainly believe that it is possible to communicate with animals, and I also believe that some are better at it than others. It can seem a bit expensive, but if you are wanting to look deeper into that behavioural or physical issue then some of the information given can be priceless. And if you are looking to have it done just for fun then it certainly is that, for both horse and owner. Some of the horses obviously enjoyed having someone that would listen, which is something I think many owners forget to do. As a trainer I try extremely hard to listen when a horse is trying to tell me something, but I certainly don't claim to be able to hold lengthy conversations with them (though it certainly would come in handy at times). I will speak more at length about how imagery can help you communicate what you want to your horse next month.

If you are interested in using a communicator, do your research on the one you choose and do not be afraid to ask for references. I found the two that I used by word of mouth and each had many positive reviews on their websites and in independent equine forums.