People often ask us if we “train” the Tula Vida horses to work with people the way they do. The answer is no. Horses are hard-wired over millions of years with extraordinary sensing capacities, herd instincts and emotional intelligence that makes them natural teachers. As long as a horse feels safe around humans (which is a journey for some of our rescue horses), they want positive connection. Just as we humans do too.
The language of presence
One of the most striking aspects of human-horse connections is the way these relationships transcend words. Horses are remarkably skilled at reading subtle cues—posture, breathing, even a person’s focus.
During guided interactions, facilitators often observe how individuals and horses communicate through body language and intention rather than speech. Nervous system to nervous system. This unique form of dialogue fosters a deep sense of presence. The quiet attentiveness required by the horse encourages participants to become more mindful, leading to a calm and centered state of being.
The power of emotional reflection
Guided horse experiences are powerful because horses naturally sense the emotional states of the people around them. If a participant feels uneasy or distracted, the horse may respond by hesitating or stepping back, looking to increase the sense of safety for everyone involved. On the other hand when a person feels safe and calm, the horse tends to relax as well.
These honest feedback loops help individuals recognize and regulate their own emotions in the moment. Such real-time reflection empowers participants to develop greater self-awareness and emotional control, often carrying these insights beyond the arena.
In reality we are broadcasting our internal state non-verbally to each other whether we know it or not (how often do you have a feeling that something is ‘off’ with someone?). We are just not used to acknowledging it, and don’t know how to change it, so we rely heavily on words and thoughts instead.
At Tula Vida you get to practice refining your own presence and learning to read the state of others, with non-judgemental and immediate, real-time feedback from horses. Now where else can you do that? Book your exploration call to find out more.
Authenticity and trust building
Horses respond best to authenticity. In guided sessions, horses quickly sense inconsistency or hidden emotions and respond in a way that lets us see it too – prompting us to notice when we are pretending to be something that we are not (I don’t know about you, but it’s amazing how often I try and be who I think I “should” be in that situation – and I don’t even realise I am doing it).
Building trust with a horse requires patience, consistency, true listening, presence and clear intention. And building trust with ourselves requires the same things. Through these nonverbal exchanges, participants experience how it feels when they are truly themselves (inside matching the outside) – and what connection can be like when both beings fully accept and trust each other just as they are.
This process can strengthen personal confidence and reshape the way people relate to others, as the qualities that earn a horse’s trust—authenticity, patience, empathy and sensitivity—are essential in all meaningful relationships.
A pathway to connection and growth
Guided activities with horses create a safe space for learning, reflection, and transformation. Participants often discover new ways to cope with stress, communicate openly, and form connections. As horses respond without judgment, humans are free to explore personal growth at their own pace. Over time, these shared experiences with such sensitive creatures can lead to profound changes—an increased sense of belonging, emotional resilience, and a more authentic way of engaging with the world.
At Tula Vida we believe that you have everything you need to find the answers within yourself. You are not broken, you don’t need fixing, you just need the space, support and opportunity to truly tune in and listen. And that’s where we come in.
To see if this feels like a good fit for you, book an exploration call and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram.