What Your Horse Wants You to Know

Interview with Maryann Evans, Animal Communicator

Whether or not we admit it aloud, most of us are fascinated with the idea of animal communication. For some of us, the idea is threatening—some sort of black magic must be involved. For others, it’s beyond belief—a bunch of crap. But many of us have a hopeful place in our hearts that wants to believe there are special people who truly can communicate with animals.

Maryann Evans doesn’t call herself a special person. In fact, she’s quick to point out that all of us have some ability to communicate with animals. Children, in particular, can be especially good at it; for the rest of us, it’s a skill we’re not prepared for or are perhaps afraid to develop.

“It’s a matter of paying attention,” Maryann says, “Listen. Work on it. If you dream about your animal, pay attention to that. Your horse may be trying to tell you something.”

Maryann’s specialty is finding pain in animals. She will feel a pain within her own body that will relate to what’s going on with the animal. And, she’s surprisingly accurate.

How so? Animal acupuncturist Aimee Witherspoon met Maryann while working on horses in Portland-area barns. Aimee is anything but a mystic—she has a degree in veterinary medicine and is a certified animal acupuncturist, well-grounded in science and an analytical by nature. Not only did Maryann accurately report pain in several clients’ horses, she identified pain in Aimee’s own horse—who was back home in his own barn. To Aimee’s surprise, Maryann accurately identified pain in her horse’s poll and face.

After Aimee told me her story, curiosity led me to pick up the phone and give Maryann a call. She agreed to discuss my own animals with me and her skills in general. Not for the purpose of self-promotion, but in the interest of helping animals in need. I found myself liking this woman, without having met her.

To get started, I gave Maryann the names of my horses (Nick and Napoleon) and dogs (Skittles and Popcorn). Maryann asked where we lived and that was all. In most cases, Maryann prefers not to meet the animals, face to face. “It can bias me,” she said.

Several weeks later, Maryann and I met in person—although she does most of her consults over the phone. I asked Maryann to describe the process. “I think about the area where the animal lives and search for an animal of that species by that name. Animals know their names.” Sometimes she’ll need more information from an owner, but typically not. In some cases, the animal won’t want to talk to her directly, so she’ll talk to a stablemate.

Are some animals more talkative than others? Absolutely. “Just like with people, there’s a continuum of intelligence and interest. You have to allow for who they are,” Maryann says. “Some won’t stop talking. With others, you’ll have to try again later, to see if they’re more in the mood.”

As for my animals, Maryann’s description of their temperaments was right on. She described Napoleon, my Lipizzan-cross gelding as “Happy with himself. He knows he’s pretty. He like dressage and has one rider he prefers to others. He likes a longer leg.”

Napoleon showed Maryann that his stall is on the right in the barn. “He likes the smell of fresh bedding,” she said. “He prefers soft hay and thinks his grain is gritty.” (Supplements?)

Maryann suggested I check Napoleon’s saddle in the shoulders. “It pinches when he moves, hurting back behind the shoulder, especially to the left.”

Maryann also felt a tingling in Poly’s foot, at the top of the coronet band. Indeed, Poly had an abscess in his left hind, which we were waiting to resolve. Maryann described a sensation of pain in her own foot, which she attributed to Napoleon.

Nick was accurately described as “A horse with a big, kind heart. He likes to please.” More specifically “He seems happy but sometimes has to stop and think.” An apt description of Nick, who sometimes lacks confidence.

“Beginning riders are hard for him,” Maryann said. “He feels responsible, like he has to baby sit.” Indeed, I sometimes put beginners on Nick. He seems to enjoy relaxed riders, like kids, but definitely looks concerned when I put an anxious adult on him.

“He likes when people laugh,” Maryann said. “It reduces his anxiety.” This was music to my ears. I use laughter to lighten the mood when we’re struggling with something, partly to diffuse frustration/partly to reassure my horse that he’s not in trouble. I enjoyed hearing Maryann confirm what I knew about my own horse.

For an anxious horse, Maryann suggests, “Tell him what you’re going to do today. The lesson plan, if you will. It’s o.k. to acknowledge that he doesn’t like some of the work but ask him to do it anyway.”

Maryann uses this technique all of the time: before she puts her horse in the trailer or when she asks her horse to do something out of the ordinary. “Like attend a Roy Rogers party,” she laughs. Maryann pictured her mare attending a party, having her photo taken, and behaving like a solid citizen in a crowded room. The end result? One well-behaved six year-old mare. “Let them know what you need from them,” Maryann says. “They’ll pick up on your thoughts.”

Other things about Nick? “He likes his shoes,” Maryann said. (That’s good, they’re expensive.) “It feels good to stretch, like when you pull his legs forward.” (A new skill, I had just started working on.) “He likes to smell the shoer.” (That’s true, Phil uses peppermint shampoo.)

Nick also suggested I clean his sheath (not my favorite thing) and wanted me to know that his black pad is more comfy than his other pads. That’s good, it’s my favorite, as well.

Maryann was just as insightful in her assessment of my dogs. Skittles is my happy-go-lucky standard poodle. She has an easy-going big-dog temperament and is confident about her place in the world.

Popcorn, on the other hand, surprised Maryann with an extreme case of hypochondria. Maryann described a list of complaints Popcorn expressed, nothing of which had anything to do with actual, physical pain. Although he’s only three years old, Popcorn has the disgruntled outlook of a grumpy old man.

Those who know this little dog agree whole-heartedly with Maryann’s assessment. “You can try to think positive thoughts about him and believe in him,” Maryann said, “But you can’t really change him. That’s just who he is.”

Not everything Maryann said made sense to me. “When you’re seeing things through the animal’s eyes, it may not be clear to you,” she advised. For example, Maryann described what sounded like a double bridle for Napoleon. I’ve never used one with him, so I’m not certain what that was about. She described Napoleon’s mouth as soft and sensitive, which may be how he feels about himself, but certainly is not the impression he gives his rider.

That being said, I came away believing that Maryann had somehow conversed with my animals. Sceptics may come up with their own theories, but Maryann knew my animals, without having met them face to face.

In addition to working with animals that are in pain, Maryann consults with owners about animals they’re considering purchasing, retiring, and, when requested, animals that are beyond medical help.

Maryann cautions, “If you call me about a sick animal, please be prepared to believe me and follow through.” If an animal is ready to go, Maryann feels it’s important to listen. “We have to give them that gift,” she says. “They try to tell you when it’s time.”

While letting animals go can be painful, Maryann advises thinking of it as a gift, to be with your animal as you give it a pain-free ending to a life well lived. With small animals, Maryann likes to bring its animal companions along in the car, on the trip to the vet. “Tell them what’s going to happen,” she says. “When it’s time to go, animals are at peace.”

Another gift we can give our animals is being honest with ourselves. “Be realistic about yourself and your horse,” Maryann suggests. “Many people overestimate their own abilities, buying more horse than they’re capable of riding. Be realistic about yourself and your horse.”

Maryann has evaluated horses whose owners are considering selling or retiring them. “Any horse should be able to do a little bit of everything, but if he hates the discipline you’ve chosen, neither one of you is going to be happy.”

“If your horse is having problems with his work, visualize negotiation,” Maryann suggests. “We’re like dance partners. We can work through it.”

Maryann began working with animals nearly 20 years ago, after meeting renowned animal communicator Beatrice Leidecker. “After Beatrice worked on my own animals, we became friends.” Beatrice became her teacher, mentor, and inspiration. Since then, Maryann has helped countless numbers of animals: primarily dogs and horses. For her, it’s all about the animal.

“We can all do this,” Maryann says. “You just need to be open to it. Picture your own animal and mentally call his name. He just may answer.” Listen.

Click here for more about Maryann Evans.