Slowing down and sensing from the inside of us, opens us to the conversation our animals want to be having with us.
When we have a horse in our lives for a while, we get an inkling of how much of themselves they share with us. This fulla wasn't sharing much after nearly 3 years together and his vet surgeon guardian really wanted to explore all paths to connection - physical, emotional & relational - what a lucky horse to have a partner who is curious and committed.
He flagged up some physical challenges, but they weren't the main reason he withdrew into himself. As I held a space of unconditional love, he shared scenes of quick, uncoordinated movement, pressure and feeling flustered from his early years. He is a very sensitive boy and his survival strategy was to shut down.
When I asked how he saw his guardian he showed the grey 'shadow' image on the right of the picture below - this wasn't just how he saw his special person, this was how he saw people generally. The image was also way out of proportion - the humans were huge and threateningly looming.
When asked what would need to happen for this to change, he showed an image where the colour, texture and scale returned, as shown in the image on the left, when he was allowed to explore his person at his own pace free from any expectations or pressure. People became 'real' with consensual connection.
I then witnessed healing energy around him and this private, gentle soul showed who he could be when he felt safe. Glorious wings appeared and he lifted-off, his presence grew and he claimed the personal space around him with grace, dignity and vibrancy. Benevolent magnificence. Animal communication is often like charades, using metaphors to invite emotional responses. I think you get the picture here...
He then showed that he preferred body work modalities that maintained an air gap that focused on slowly feeling his energy body rather than his more energetically dense physical body. I often see this with very sensitive horses - physical touch can be very intense and an air gap leaves more space for subtle conversation. 
The background image is not of the horse that gave the insight as their person wished to remain anonymous. This image below made me smile deep inside - a magic moment for both of them. Mutually being seen, being heard, feeling felt and getting gotten aka attunement is scrumptious and a tonic for the soul.