Shiloh, can you give our readers some pointers on talking with animals?Shiloh Says: “Yes, I can. Well, the first thing people need to remember is that our time is not your time. You have asked me to talk at a time when I am outside and the weather is cold and I am cold. It is hard to think when you are as cold as I am, but I have chosen to talk because this is a good teaching point. People put their schedules first, mostly out of habit, but sometimes out of thoughtlessness to what the animals are doing. Just like talking person to person, you will learn more from your animal friend and the talk will be more ‘productive’ – to use a human term – when it’s a good time for both parties. People can also start thinking of talking with animals as something that they want to do, something that is enjoyable and a way to build their companionship. You humans need to get away from that word ‘productive’ – we’ll talk about that at another time when I’m more comfortable.”Do animals look at animal communication as a ‘big deal’?“No, why should we? Talking is talking is talking – communication is a very natural thing to do. We horses don’t ‘talk’ to each other the way we talk to you humans, because we don’t need to. We talk to you humans so that you can best understand us. When I communicate with you, I project words because that’s how I can best grab your attention. When I talk with some of the other people at the barn I might use pictures. With some people I use my body language, because that may be the only way they will understand me. It doesn’t matter how we communicate, as long as we communicate.”Thanks for sharing your wisdom, Buddy. See you later today.
