Marwari
of USA: Jewels of Antiquity
Dr. Maria
Katsamanis, Horse Trainer & Clinical Psychologist
By Gina
McKnight
1st Publication Going Gaited 2012
The New
Jersey arena is filled with emotions, heartbeats and reflections this
morning. In training is Alohaj, a noble
Arabian stallion owned by Hemlock Crest Arabians. The mirrors along the arena wall reflect a
perfect image of trainer and equine. The
morning sun through the arena window imports stellar rays of warmth and
sundust. Alohaj has come to Dr. Maria Katsamanis,
Horse Trainer & Clinical Psychologist, for a course in ambitious groundwork
that will re-establish his connectivity to maintaining emotional balance as
well as physical comfort.
Dr. Katsamanis
maintains an academic appointment as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Robert Wood
Johnson Medical School, New Jersey USA, as well as Horse Trainer and Riding Coach. Her training emphasizes maximizing a positive
self-carriage for both the horse and rider.
Her philosophy for optimum equestrian pleasure focuses on equine and human
physiology. Horses and riders attending
Dr. Katsamanis’ clinics receive tailored treatment depending upon their
physical profile, personality and overall disposition.
Dr. Katsamanis
embraces all horse breeds into her training and visits stables around the
world. Hailing from Greece, she has been schooled in the classical, natural art
of horse training; the idea that respect is created and maintained between
horse and rider through clarity of intent, awareness of self-carriage and
mutual respect, creating a deep bond and love between horse and human.
Xenophon,
the Greek horseman of antiquities, wrote on the importance of your horse as a
partner, not a slave. “You must ask
yourself, what can I do to be my horse’s best partner? Why would he want to
dance with me? How can I grow in this relationship? What are the learnings that
this relationship is bringing to me?
This relationship being no different than all those one creates with
others, spouses, parents and colleagues.”
Recently,
Dr. Katsamanis visited the stables of Ms. Francesca Kelly, Martha’s Vineyard
USA, owner of Marwari horses. Marwari
are an indigenous breed to India and their exportation is currently limited due
to low census. The opportunity to work with Marwari has been a long desire of
Dr. Katsamanis.
“My time
with Francesca was incredible,” says Dr. Katsamanis. “When I was invited to Francescas, I felt
compelled to go. I went as a horse
trainer because I wanted to learn and experience the horses up close. I had never worked with them before. Ms. Kelly, the patroness of the breed,
extended the invitation to what was an elegant and unforgettable journey. As a
horsewoman she has allowed her horses to be horses. I rode her horses bareback
with rope halters over sand mounds and into the sea; it was amazing…very phenomenal!
Their reliability, tractability, high intelligence and kind nature left me
wanting more. I found myself missing
them long after I left Martha’s Vineyard.
I had bonded. I am Greek, so I
was impressed with the simplicity and elegance.”
Marwari
are known for their beautiful confirmation, angelic grace and strong
confidence. Dr. Katsamanis describes
Marwari as the ‘jewels of antiquity’, confirming their royal heritage as one of
India’s most beautiful resources. The
Marwari are part of the old world of horse mythology and folklore. One of the oldest breeds in existence,
Marwari bring a legacy of unforgettable appeal and tradition to horsemanship. Dr.
Katsamanis welcomes the opportunity to work with Marwari, identifying their
unique place in the world of horses.
Marwari,
like all equines, are spiritual by nature.
Dr. Katsamanis explains, “If you are having a bad day and you go into a
stall with a horse, the horse creates a ‘torus’, a circle of energy that
embraces us. Horses have a heart five
times larger than ours, emitting electro-magnetic signals. This is what creates the ‘torus’. This
electro-magnetic field has a wingspan five times greater than our own. It is in this space that their heart pattern,
being an electrical wave, can affect our own heart rhythms. Perhaps it is through this, our heart
connection that we bond and communicate. There is a lot of healing through
horses – from the horse to man. Horses
have healing power; the healing comes from the connection we have with
animals. When we are connected with the
horse, the creation of a magical electrical circuit is likely to arise. Horses
have a slower heart rate than we do. Their on/off alarm button has been refined
because of their prey status, so that they are great role models for us to
learn how to manage our own levels of stress and alertness. That is one way that they help us heal. On another level, physically being in their
space promotes emotional and physical healing via the electro-magnetic force
created by their heart resonance.” Science proves that this unseen connection
between horses and humans creates a catalyst for motivation, confidence,
increased self-esteem and overall well-being.
This phenomenon has been documented and tested through years of
research. Horses have healing power.
“We need
to go back to nature, back to basics in life and in our training of
horses. Simplicity is key. You see more and more that people are drawn
to activities that connect them to the earth.
Being around horses is grounding.
There is a meditative component to the seemingly mundane rituals of
things as simple as grooming. The mental
health community even endorsed Equine Assisted Psychotherapy as a viable
psychological approach to emotional and mental distress*. In that spirit, I do a lot of groundwork to
establish communication on the groundwork and then taking it to the saddle. We
waste a lot of chatter on what we want the horse to do instead of letting the
horse show us what it is capable of. It
is about allowing them to show us who they are, how they wish to be ridden, and
what they have to teach us. Honoring
that means being prepared to see changes in other areas of your life.” says Dr.
Katsamanis. Being conscious of our body
language and breathing behavior creates a blueprint in establishing the
horse-human relationship.
Mr. Gajjar, Freelance Equestrian Trainer and Riding Instructor from India, is an acquaintance of Dr. Katsamanis. Mr. Gajjar states, “I have particularly admired Maria’s training methods as she is very patient with her horses. Lots of groundwork does give you a wonderful horse and that is exactly what Maria emphasizes on. I am happy to hear that a Marwari will soon be making their way to her stables and it will be a new experience for her as a trainer. Maria plans to conduct equine training workshops in India soon, which I will help her organize and I am sure many horse owners here will be happy to learn about her ways of training and the importance given to groundwork."
Helene Hylander
shares her joy of being one of Dr. Katsamanis’ students. Helene writes, “I am a breast and colon
cancer survivor with many disabilities. Wear back and knee braces so
I can ride. Maria is giving our 19 yr old quarter horse paint mare Cassie
and me a canter/stop lesson here preparing us for our trail ride for
the cure October 16, 2011. I am Cassie's 4th owner and 3rd breast cancer
survivor. My husband David and I adopted her two years ago from a field. Maria
has been working with us from the beginning. Using Maria's body awareness, groundwork
and in-hand training methods have helped both of us come to this point in
time. No braces!!!! And a balanced horse!!!”
Marwari, the ‘jewels of antiquity’, have arrived at Dr. Katsamanis New Jersey arena. They are experiencing her talent as a trainer, her wisdom as a clinical psychologist, and her undivided love for life. Her Greek ancestors would be honored by her commitment and compassion to classical horsemanship and healing. The Marwari, as well as other horses in Dr. Katsamanis’ arena, will receive affirmation of the importance of trust, the key components of balance and the commitment of comfort for both horse and rider. With a smile and confidence in her abilities to proclaim the joys of horsemanship, Dr. Katsamanis states, “A commitment to kindness and deep connection – a classical formula for your dream ride, your dream life.”
Follow Dr. Katsamanis
At the time of publication, Dr.
Katsamanis was a freelance equine trainer, providing services on location at Pennfields
Farm Arena & Equine Facility, Pamela Rosenborg/PnR Training LLC, Owner. Many
thanks to Ms. Rosenborg.
*See the American Psychological Association, Division 17 Animal Assisted Psychotherapies: or EAGALA (www.eagala.org).
1st Publication Going Gaited 2012. All Rights Reserved.
Gina McKnight, Freelance Writer, USA
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1 comment:
This is cool!
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