Yin/Yang Theory and Horsemanship Part 3: Infinite Divisibility

In which I explore the way in which each Yin/Yang aspect is made up of an infinite number of further Yin/Yang divisions.

Note: this is part three of the Yin/Yang Theory and Horsemanship Series. Click here for part 1: complimentary opposites and here for part 2: all things yin and yang.

The second principle of Yin/Yang theory is that any Yin or Yang aspect and be further divided into Yin and Yang.

A hill can be divided into sunny side (Yang) and shady side (Yin). The shady side can be divided into that which is more Yin - the shadiest part, furthest from the sun - and that which is more Yang - the less shady parts, closer to the sun. We could divide this way infinitely.

Not only can we divide along the same line, we classify along tangential pathways as well. For example, we could say that the base of the shady side is more Yin than the summit of the shady side. Or perhaps one section of the sunny side is very rocky (Yang) while the rest is grassy (Yin).

Division Without Separation

It's important to note here that even though we talk about Yin/Yang divisions, we are not creating any separations between the Yin aspect and the Yang aspect. In fact, the opposite is true. By seeing that each aspect contains both Yin and Yang, which each further contain Yin and Yang, we see that nothing can really be fundamentally separated. It can only be understood in relationship.

A Yin/Yang Day In the Life of Les and Koa

One of the places this aspect of Yin/Yang theory becomes very powerful is in the search for balance in our horsemanship practice. By understanding how each part of our horseplay is Yin or Yang in relation to other parts, we can make balanced choices about what activities we choose.

Yesterday, Koa spent the morning and early afternoon in the pasture with her herd(Yin). Part of that time she was eating (Yang) and part she was sunbathing (Yin). Sometimes she was moving (Yin) and sometimes she was still (Yang).

At any rate, in the afternoon I arrive, greeted her in the pasture, and took her to the outdoor arena (Yang). Halfway there, I stopped to chat with a friend (Yin). Finally, we continued on our way. Once to the arena, I decided to do some groundwork (Yin) before riding (Yang) to get us in synch.

I considered playing online (Yin) but instead decided on liberty(Yang) because it might be more interesting to Koa. Some of our play was on flat ground (Yin), while some was jumping (Yang). During this session I used both positive reinforcement (Yin) and pressure/release (Yang), depending on Koa's expression and the activity we were engaged in. Once I felt like we'd gotten past our disharmony (Yang) to a more synchronized place (Yin), I asked Koa to let me on her back. She kindly agreed and we began riding (Yang). I choose to start at the walk (Yin) because I wanted to give us both time to become relaxed and centered before trotting some jumping patterns (Yang).

As we walked, I alternated between steering with the reins (Yang) and letting the reins hand on Koa's neck while I suggested things with my body and focus (Yin). Sometimes, as a trade for Koa responding very smoothly to a suggestion, I stopped steering altogether and let her choose where to go (I changed from Yang to Yin, she from Yin to Yang). As our time was coming to an end, dismounted, rubbed Koa's itchy spots (Yang) and then we stood together for a while at liberty (Yin) before I returned her to her paddock (Yang) where she would spend the rest of the evening without demands put on her (Yin).

Finding Harmony

As you can see, the more layers of Yin and Yang discernment we peel open, the more layers are revealed. That means we have the power to choose at what level to use this type of thinking for it to be most useful.

It also means that we always have a guide for finding center. If our horse is seeming to become unresponsive and lazy (an excess of Yin), we understand that we need to add more Yang to move towards balance. However, as many of you know, asking a lazy horse to move a lot (Yang) usually just makes them more and more Yin. Why is that?

Because that's trying to jump all the way from the Yin aspect to the opposing Yang aspect and the leap is just to big. Instead, we can find the Yang aspect within that Yin aspect of laziness. Instead of asking for big movement like trotting on a circle (Yang), we can ask for small, precise movements like taking a single step with a particular foot (Yin compared to the circle, but Yang compared to standing still). In this way, we work from where the horse is to where we would like him to be through the aspect he is presenting. This is where true harmony develops.

Till Next Time

Oops. I'm getting ahead of myself In the next post we'll explore how Yin and Yang create each other and how we can use our understanding of Yin/Yang to create changes in our relationships with our horses. In the mean time, practice seeing Yin/Yang relationships during your time with your horse and share some of them with us in the comments.

blog comments powered by Disqus