In the morning, often before the sunrise, Maria teaches the animals to touch. The pony and the donkeys have learned this communicative lesson, some might call it one of those stupid animal tricks that are being banned from the lives of people. But it is  more than that, of course, it connects the animals to us, builds trust and communication, and once it becomes regular, allows for the exchange of feelings and emotions.

The equines read our moods instantly, and react accordingly. They smell us, listen to us.  Maria’s emotions are on the surface, available to them, mine are sometimes buried deeper. Through them, we are learning to share feelings, they help us to heal and center, they ground us to mother earth, and to our own lives. At first, they did it for good. Now, they do it for love. They need connection as much or more than we do. We are always learning more about talking with them. Listening to them