Ever wonder what your horse is thinking? The Art of Dressage explores the field of animal communication.

 You are frustrated and your horse is totally not cooperating.  You’re having one of those take one step forward and two steps back days.  We all have them.  Maybe you are having one of those days with a new horse or maybe an old friend you have had for 15 years.  When we have those days or our horses pick up an odd, new, behavior…we step back, look into those big, deep, brown eyes and think to ourselves, “If only I could tell what you are thinking…”  There are some in the world that believe they have the gift or have built the skills to tell what our equine partners are thinking.  When I began this blog, I made a list.  It has about 100 topics on it that I was interested in writing about.  In the top 5 topics, was animal communication.  I find the field interesting, unique, and a bit of a step into the unknown.    

Our horses try to tell us things every day, but do we take the time to listen?

 I like to step outside of my box (Ha, I think that is why I started this blog!)  I feel it keeps life interesting and makes us stretch and think about things beyond ourselves.  In order to get the real scoop on Animal Communication, I went right to the source and interviewed an Animal Communicator.  Cindy Smith is an Animal Communicator located in Asheville, NC.  Cindy took the time out of her very busy schedule to answer a  “few”, (OK, there were a lot) of my questions!  We conducted the interview over email because I didn’t want any of my interpretation to change Cindy’s answers.   Listed below are my questions and Cindy’s very insightful answers. Read on and I hope you find dipping into this unique profession as interesting as I did.   

(The Art of Dressage) : When did you first begin your communication with animals?   

(Cindy Smith): “I remember having very clear communication with my horse when I was in my teens. He was an incredible horse and I was often amazed at how well he understood what I asked him to do. We could be running full speed across a field and I would get something in my contact and tell him to stop. He would stop, stand perfectly still while I took my contact out and removed the irritant, put it back in my eye, and then he would take off again full speed. As with many young riders, our connection was very deep and I was often amazed at his perceptiveness. I think we all have the ability to communicate with our animal friends when we are children. We just get talked out of believing what we are hearing by adults. I’ve been working as an animal communicator professionally for 9 years.”   

 (The Art of Dressage):  Can you explain what animal communication is like? When you receive communication from an animal how does it come to you, as words, pictures, feelings, etc.?  

(Cindy Smith): “After 35+ years of meditation, I feel like the communication is just another form of connecting through the heart and listening deeply. I feel like intention is a big part of gathering information from an animal. Some animals use more images and fewer words. Dogs and cats who live in a home with their people often have a big verbal vocabulary because they listen to their people all the time. These animals use words as well as images and feelings to get their messages across. When I talk to wild animals, they use more images and feelings.  I have quite a few South Korean clients and I’ve decided that what the animals are speaking is a Universal language. That language gets translated going both ways because I don’t speak Korean or Spanish, but my clients report major behavioral changes or vet back up on what their animals tell me.”   

 (The Art of Dressage): Have you ever had an animal refuse to communicate with you?   

 (Cindy Smith): “It’s rare to have an animal refuse because usually they are very excited to have a voice in a conversation with their person. Sometimes in an initial conversation a horse will refuse to talk if their person isn’t present. When that happens we just reschedule at a time when their person can be at the barn.”   

  (The Art of Dressage): What are some common things animals like to tell you?   

Cindy Smith has worked as a professional animal communicator for the past 9 years. Check out Cindy's website at www.animalsmith.com.

(Cindy Smith): “That they love their person! Kitties often want to go outside more. Dogs often want more walks. Horses often have riding tips for their rider. Most of my conversations are problem solving or negotiating with the animals in the family and they are full of creative solutions in most situations. The biggest fears for many horses are that they will be sold to a new person. Dogs and cats rarely have that fear unless they have been in multiple homes and are now happy in their new home.”   

 (The Art of Dressage): I think many of us think in the language we speak, English for instance. How do you know how to speak to an animal and have him or her understand what you are saying?    

(Cindy Smith): “Animal communication is a subtle skill. I base my results on verifiable proof that the conversation happened. The animals change their behavior or give information that only they and their person would know, or a vet will verify the symptoms or injury that the animal describes to me. I’m fascinated by my recent discovery of the Universal Language idea that I’ve seen at work with my conversations with animals that speak another language. I teach classes in how to communicate with animals and my students find they also get verifiable information.”   

( The Art of Dressage): Are certain species of animals more willing to talk to you than others?    

(Cindy Smith):   ”I don’t notice a difference in species willingness to talk. I feel like it is more about the individual personality of the animal. I do find if the person isn’t open to the conversation, the animals are less forth coming in their input.”   

(The Art of Dressage): Can you communicate telepathically with humans as well as animals?  

(Cindy Smith): “Yes, I took training in 1972 where I learned that skill and practiced it. I don’t do that formally now, but we all communicate telepathically with each other.”   

(The Art of Dressage): What do most owners want to know about their pets?    

(Cindy Smith): “Horse people want to know about pain in their horses’ bodies, what they most enjoy doing, how they like their saddle, trainer, barn, etc. Horses often give training or riding tips to their person. Dog people may be checking on health, asking about activities/competition, dealing with aggression issues, or  asking if they would like another animal friend. Cat people are often negotiating another cat in the family or dealing with litter box issues. Many conversations with all species may be about end of life decisions when the people want their animals to have a say about their preferences.”   

(The Art of Dressage): What do you tell those that are skeptical about your work?    

(Cindy Smith): “I suggest they try to be open-minded and watch for the results. The proof is in the changes they see or in the palpable deepening connection they have with their animal. The majority of my clients come from referrals so I don’t have to deal with a lot of skepticism.”   

(The Art of Dressage): Do you have any examples of an experience where animal communication made difference in an animals and/or owners life you would be willing to share?                              

(Cindy Smith): “Everyday I’m amazed at  how responsive and willing animals are to cooperate with our requests. If we are clear in what we want they will do their best to help us.  I would hope that every conversation I have improves the lives of the animals and their people. Recently, one of my clients said, “ Thanks for the family therapy session!” I feel like my job is to give voice to the animals and work with everyone to find a good resolution of issues for everyone involved. I’d rather let the voices on the “client comments page” give the stories rather than me talking about myself in specific situations.

Cindy Smith has a wonderful website www.animalsmith.com.  Please make sure to check it out!  She has more information about her services and some great client stories to read about!  

So you may be thinking to yourself, OK Elizabeth… you did some research on this topic and interviewed this person…what do YOU think about animal communication?  Is communication really possible or just a current trend or fad?  Here is my honest opinion… I think anything is possible.  I think there are many things to our lives and this world that we do not and will not ever totally understand.  Can a sensitive person tune into an animal’s energy and emotions and help translate that into thoughts?  I think yes, it is possible.  I know I can walk into a room and if someone is there that doesn’t like me or is angry with me, I can feel it without even looking at the person.  Many of you I’m sure have felt the same.   How can we feel a person’s emotions without talking to the person or even looking at them?  We just can…  Would I use an animal communicator?  Sure, why not. 

Alright everyone out there, this is the article I would really like to hear from you about!   Have you used an animal communicator before?  Did you see results?  What is your opinion on animal communication?  What has made you form that opinion?  Has anyone ever taken courses in animal communication before?  If so, I would love to hear about your experience.    

A big Thank You to Cindy Smith for her assistance on this article!