www.intimatefutures.com
GROUP PROJECT
In a society where horse and man live in an intimate setting creates more time for activities that don’t just satisfy our physical needs but also emotional. Living this close to someone creates stronger bond and changes our behaviour. Even between humans. If man opens up to more intimacy with a horse, isn’t it logical that he becomes more open to intimacy with other people.
What can we do for each other, the horse and the man? We have a tendency to only see what others can do for us and what we can do for ourselves. The horse has many roles in our lives. It is a mean of transport. A therapist. A companion. But what can we do to give back to the horse? Are we perhaps incapable of giving without receiving something in return?
Horsemanship is first and foremost a way to gain fulfilment in life. The horse isn’t of any less importance today than before, though the reasons have changed. Horses are giving companions, they contribute to the well- being of those that care for them and there
is nowhere better to enjoy nature than from a horseback. By taking care of horses our heartbeat changes, feel-good hormones are released and we learn empathy. To be close to a horse is formative and nourishing for both mind and body. Through the caretaking of this animal you forget the stress of daily life.
When horses want to have an intimate encounter they put their heads together to scratch and massage each other on the head, neck and shoulders. The massage cap is an experiment to step into this ritual and to approach the horse from its perspective, needs and wishes. With the massage cap, man and horse can interact with movement that the horse recognizes and the man can enjoy giving something back to the animal.
It is necessary to comb the horse thoroughly using a good brush. Combing removes loose hairs that the horse itches from and the skin gets a right amount of stimulation which increases blood ow. The comb is a tool that the man uses to connect with and gain trust of the horse. In the same way the brush is a useful tool between humans to have a powerful relationship of trust. The skin has many sensors which respond to a variety of stimulations. By speaking gently to one another, stroke
away dead skin cells and stimulate these sensors, there is an intimate connection which can be created between people who give without expecting to receive anything in return.