SHARING THE PRESENT

A self-help book that focuses on mindful awareness involving horses and humans.

Geriatric psychiatrist Shreyasi Brodhecker and her husband, Frank Brodhecker, a social worker, combine their love of horses with their commitment to mindfulness practice in this elegant, informative new work. Drawing on the therapeutic practices of their Mindful Mare Wellness program, based in Alberta, Canada, they outline a comprehensive approach for readers to “discover alternative ways of being with their horses and to complement their current understanding of horses.” But although it’s geared primarily toward equestrians, they say, “you don’t have to ride horses to benefit from and carry out most of the exercises in this book.” Its first section, “Laying the Groundwork,” begins with an accessible description of “what it means to be mindful” and how it relates to what they call the “unique consciousness and emotional awareness” of horses. The authors cite several experts in each field—such as renowned mindfulness practitioner Thich Nhat Hanh and equine behaviorist Karen Scholl—and include a variety of resources for further reading. The second sectiondetails 12 mindfulness exercises that one can do while spending time with one’s horse, such as “Watching—Truly seeing your horse” (“When you practise noticing them without letting expectations influence what you see, you notice things more accurately in the present moment”) and “Grooming your horse mindfully.” Each exercise includes an introductory section along with potential modifications. Overall, the authors write with graceful accessibility as they describe ways to thoughtfully engage with horses: “Calm your horse by talking in a calm, soft voice, blinking slowly and using soft eyes, relaxing your body purposefully, yawning and stroking the withers, and/or getting the horse moving.” The book also includes gorgeous photography and original artwork by various artistsdepicting the authors, their animals, and their staff at Mindful Mare, all of which complements the approachable prose.

A thoughtful, well-researched guide that may appeal to equestrians and nonequestrians alike.