“What are you?” Peter Lake asked quietly. The horse then turned to look at him, and, he saw, with a chill, that the eyes were infinitely deep, opening like a tunnel to another universe. The horse’s silence suggested that the beauty of his gentle black eyes had something of all that ever was or would ever be. And like every horse, he was incorruptibly innocent. (Winter’s Tale, Mark Helprin)
Here in Skagit County, where Skagit Animals in Need (SAIN) offers new beginnings for rescue horses, Kaya Mead stands as a beacon of hope and expertise. As a trainer for SAIN, she brings expertise, empathy, and a deep-seated passion for horsemanship to our little corner of equine rescue. In a recent interview, Kaya shared insights into her journey, philosophy, and the transformative power of understanding horses.
Roots in Riding
Kaya's equestrian journey began in her childhood in Michigan, where she showed Arabians in local competitions. "I've been very fortunate to have been given horses to ride my whole life," she reflects. "I've never owned my own, but I've been really lucky to meet the right people who want to help me and facilitate my learning." After a hiatus during college, Kaya rekindled her passion when she moved to Washington state. Kaya started volunteering for Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE – a large equine rescue in Redmond that SAIN collaborates with), where she was inspired to become a trainer.
The Horsemanship Epiphany
When asked about the most unexpected thing she's learned from a horse, Kaya's eyes light up. "What hooked me on horsemanship is basically how much they can feel of you and how present they are," she explains. She recounts a pivotal moment in a round pen when she was riding and merely thought about trotting. To her surprise, the horse started to trot. "Since then, I've learned so much more about how sensitive and how soft and how present they can be. That's my favorite thing about them."
Kaya's approach is rooted in the Dorrance school of natural horsemanship, a philosophy that emphasizes gentle, intuitive communication with horses. Tom & Bill Dorrance revolutionized horse training by focusing on the horse's perspective and natural instincts. This method, carried forward by disciples like Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman, aims to create a harmonious partnership between horse and human.
One such disciple who has had a significant influence on Kaya is Joel Conner. "Joel Connor is who I've learned from," Kaya mentions. Conner, known for his dedication to the Dorrance-Hunt-Brannaman lineage of horsemanship, has been instrumental in spreading these gentle, effective training methods, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
Breaking Misconceptions
Kaya is passionate about dispelling common misconceptions about horses. "A big one is that people think they misbehave," she states firmly. "Horses don't have that piece, that kind of emotion to misbehave. Anytime you see something as misbehavior in a horse, it's they either don't understand, they feel stuck, they feel trapped, or they don't know how to be comfortable in that situation."
She emphasizes that horses fundamentally seek peace above all else. "They want to get along with you," Kaya explains. "Only humans misbehave."
The Changing Role of Horses
Reflecting on the evolving role of horses in human society, Kaya expresses both concern and hope. "There's not that many working horses anymore, and we have a lot of horses," she observes. "There's just way more horses than we have real use for, honestly." Like so many other animals, it’s in their make up to do something.
Kaya stresses the importance of good horsemanship in teaching horses how to safely exist in our human world. "If you don't teach your horse how to safely exist in our human world that we've created, you are doing a huge disservice to that animal," she asserts.
Challenges and Growth
We asked Kaya about whether what she’s learned as a horse trainer has taught her anything that carries over into her interactions with humans. Kaya's journey hasn't been without its hurdles. She candidly shares about a riding accident that left her with PTSD. "Working through that lack of confidence has really benefited me in a lot of areas," she reflects. This experience has not only made her a better trainer but has also enhanced her empathy for both horses and riders facing challenges.
Looking Forward
In Kaya's world, every interaction with a horse is an opportunity for mutual understanding and growth. Her approach to training rescue horses is not just about preparing them for adoption; it's about honoring their nature, addressing their needs, and helping them find peace in the human world they now inhabit.
As our interview concludes, it's clear that for Kaya, horsemanship is more than a skill – it's a way of life, a philosophy that extends far beyond the round pen, touching every aspect of her interactions with both horses and humans alike.
