Horsemanship and Medicine: The Art of Connection with Nugget.
The first time I worked with Nugget—my horse and my teacher—I realized once again what medicine has taught me repeatedly: true mastery comes from connection, not control. Both horsemanship and medicine demand the same qualities—patience, intuition, and the ability to listen beyond words. This is something that “Paul Henning MD Horsemanship” emphasizes greatly in his teachings.
A horse like Nugget won’t give you his trust simply because you demand it. You earn it through quiet consistency and understanding his subtle cues. For example, a flick of the ear, a shift of weight, or a moment of hesitation. In the emergency room, the same principles apply. Patients arrive in a state of uncertainty, often guarded, sometimes afraid. Like a good horseman, a good physician knows that healing begins with trust. I am convinced that trust is built through presence, skill, and respect. (from “Paul Henning MD Horsemanship”).
This series will explore the unexpected parallels between horsemanship and medicine. It will show how working with horses refines the same instincts we use in patient care. Moreover, it will demonstrate how the lessons learned in the saddle translate to the bedside. Whether it’s diagnosing an illness or reading a horse’s body language, both fields demand a steady hand, a quiet mind, and an unwavering commitment to those who depend on us. The principles of Paul Henning Horsemanship can greatly aid in building these skills. Contact us if you would like to know how to build trust with your horse.
>Paul Henning Horsemanship practices emphasize achieving harmony with the horse.
Paul Henning, MD
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