EXPLORING CHANGE IN HUMANS & HORSES
One of the many interesting facts about horses is that some of them, over the course of several years, develop a different coat color from that which they were born.
At around the age of one, young horses shed their baby coat, followed by the manifestation of their “adult” coat color. In dominant black horses, the color becomes stable in approximately two to three years.
Besides age and genetics, there are other factors that affect a horse’s color. During winter, equine hair can become longer, rougher, thicker and appear dull, making the coat lighter or darker depending on the animal. At Equinimity, we’ve seen this happen to Blue. During fall and winter, his coat appears black and during spring and summer, it looks to be silvery-blue (his official color is roan blue).
Nutrition also plays a significant role in the appearance of the horse’s coat color. Food rich in protein stimulates pigment formation. Linseed oil, alfalfa, clover, and legume hay make hair darker. Maternal milk also makes hair darker for young chestnut foals after they shed their baby coats.
Working closely with horses and humans, it’s interesting to observe the parallels between the two. Like horses, there are some people whose hair color changes after birth or becomes lighter or darker depending on the season.
Beyond hair color, we also experience different physical changes as a result of age, health, and environmental factors. Some may get a tan during the summer, gain muscle from consistent exercise, develop wrinkles as the years pass, or develop more tolerance to heat after living in a desert environment for a while.
Moreover, life experiences also result in physical changes in humans. For example, joyful or exciting moments can increase the blood flow to the skin, creating a healthy, glowing look. On the other hand, stressful situations can induce physical effects such as headaches, exhaustion, or trouble sleeping to name a few. This is why it’s possible sometimes to recognize when a person looks happy or stressed.
Even deeper, there are certain experiences that create profound changes in our viewpoints and the way we approach, react and feel about ourselves and the world around us. The phrase, “I just don’t feel like myself today,” may come to mind.
In our Tools for Trauma class, we come together as a community to explore how we process distressing experiences and the changes we observe within ourselves - paying close attention to what our bodies tell us. We learn about the science behind trauma and the tools that can help us be with ourselves and cultivate our inner resources for accessing our well-being and self-regulation.
It’s been said that the only thing constant in life is change. This is evident in animals, humans, and nature.
In thinking about how horses shed their coat over time and in response to changes in their environment, we humans can take inspiration and “shed” what no longer works for us too.
We can develop a new “coat” to envelope ourselves with as we grow in our awareness of ourselves - one that helps us manage our responses in times of ease and distress. By doing so, we may just find that we are able to return to our true selves and once again experience a sense of balance and peace.
Would you like to join us in our Tools for Trauma class? Click here for more information and to register.
At around the age of one, young horses shed their baby coat, followed by the manifestation of their “adult” coat color. In dominant black horses, the color becomes stable in approximately two to three years.
Besides age and genetics, there are other factors that affect a horse’s color. During winter, equine hair can become longer, rougher, thicker and appear dull, making the coat lighter or darker depending on the animal. At Equinimity, we’ve seen this happen to Blue. During fall and winter, his coat appears black and during spring and summer, it looks to be silvery-blue (his official color is roan blue).
Nutrition also plays a significant role in the appearance of the horse’s coat color. Food rich in protein stimulates pigment formation. Linseed oil, alfalfa, clover, and legume hay make hair darker. Maternal milk also makes hair darker for young chestnut foals after they shed their baby coats.
Working closely with horses and humans, it’s interesting to observe the parallels between the two. Like horses, there are some people whose hair color changes after birth or becomes lighter or darker depending on the season.
Beyond hair color, we also experience different physical changes as a result of age, health, and environmental factors. Some may get a tan during the summer, gain muscle from consistent exercise, develop wrinkles as the years pass, or develop more tolerance to heat after living in a desert environment for a while.
Moreover, life experiences also result in physical changes in humans. For example, joyful or exciting moments can increase the blood flow to the skin, creating a healthy, glowing look. On the other hand, stressful situations can induce physical effects such as headaches, exhaustion, or trouble sleeping to name a few. This is why it’s possible sometimes to recognize when a person looks happy or stressed.
Even deeper, there are certain experiences that create profound changes in our viewpoints and the way we approach, react and feel about ourselves and the world around us. The phrase, “I just don’t feel like myself today,” may come to mind.
In our Tools for Trauma class, we come together as a community to explore how we process distressing experiences and the changes we observe within ourselves - paying close attention to what our bodies tell us. We learn about the science behind trauma and the tools that can help us be with ourselves and cultivate our inner resources for accessing our well-being and self-regulation.
It’s been said that the only thing constant in life is change. This is evident in animals, humans, and nature.
In thinking about how horses shed their coat over time and in response to changes in their environment, we humans can take inspiration and “shed” what no longer works for us too.
We can develop a new “coat” to envelope ourselves with as we grow in our awareness of ourselves - one that helps us manage our responses in times of ease and distress. By doing so, we may just find that we are able to return to our true selves and once again experience a sense of balance and peace.
Would you like to join us in our Tools for Trauma class? Click here for more information and to register.
