Stillness Scores -- The Equus Projects

October 20, 2007

Stillness Scores

In our work with rider-less horses we practice "Stillness Scores." They are performed most successfully when the horses are grazing in a large, open field.

The "Stillness Score" is a quiet mirroring exercise in which we spatially align our spines - head and tail - with our equine partner. We mirror the smallest shift of weight or change of focus. We try to find a common breath.

Stillness Score - The Equus Projects - Dancing with Horses

Our stillness is what catches their eye.

Before long the horse's ear is on us.

Once this has been accomplished release the intensity of time and space.

Walk away. Move out of stillness. Open the space between...

Second rule of engagement. Release.

Repeat this process many times: Approach. Retreat. Shrink the space.

This becomes a dance that is all about shaping the space between myself and the horse.

Patience.

If I practice this score long enough, if my movement is fluid enough, if my stillness is patient enough, I might become the leader.

Posted by JoAnna Mendl Shaw on October 20, 2007 8:53 AM

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3Comments

JoAnna Mendl Shaw said:

Dear Jenny
So great to hear from you! I love the fact that mirroring is building partnership. It is not just the what you want to mirror but the texture, dynamics of her weight shifts. She will appreciate your attention to detail!!

All the best,
jms

Phil,
Thanks for your on-going interest in our work. We feel that we are opening some exciting new doors for human expression, equine-human communication and dance-making. We hope that our works has multiple effects: bringing more people to dance; encouraging a passion for the arts; offering tools for kinder, more communicative relationships between humans and their equines.

Best,
jms

Added: November 1, 2007 7:46 PM | Permalink

Jenny-Marie Heide said:

I love this concept. We recently bought a new horse in Italy, from people who treated her very badly in spite of her talent and grace (her name of course is Grace) and have started to work with her using the principles of natural horsemanship and skills learned from the Equus Project to rebuild her trust and engage her mind. Finding connection through stillness and mirroring is how we encourage her to catch us before we ride, and it works spectacularly- after a week, just a few moments of mirroring as we enter her domain reminds her that we are not the humans she has so often known and she comes up to us. We do the same when on her back, before asking to take the lead from the saddle and it's amazing. When we give her the lead the ride is equally intense. If only we could bring these principles to the main stream in Italy, but curiousity is growing...

Added: November 1, 2007 9:26 AM | Permalink

Phil Waigand said:

I truly feel that "Dancing with Horses" is about opening a new door of creativity
and empowerment! My perspective is with "THE BEAT"(Heart Hoof Drum) which is about how MUSIC connects "People & Horses" through basic life rhythmic movements
and what better example than "Dancing with Horses". Also, I found that "THE BEAT"
is an incredible empowerment tool with people with disABILITIES where horse and
music therapies can overlap to a degree. Lastly, I want to "THANK" JoAnna Mendl Shaw
for her support of "THE BEAT" and that she is truly opening a new door of creativity
and empowerment.

Phil Waigand "THE BEAT" Arlington, TX waigandlegacy@flash.net

Added: October 29, 2007 11:14 AM | Permalink

The Equus Projects

October 20, 2007