From The Horses:

“Our dream is for all hearts and minds to be united in truth. All animals are
absolutely truthful. When you pretend to be other than your truth, you will
find other than your dreams.

It is strange how humans scurry so in search of what. The truth is all around
you but in your hurry and lost in the panic of your desire, you have forgotten
what you long ago understood, before the beginning of the lie. It is only man
who believes he is separate and alone, who is prey to his ego, who worships
power, and power over material things is transitory. We have no need of it.
Our possessions are few, but they are essential for immortality. Connection, to
God and all his creation; truth, which means a snake must not try to pretend
he is anything other, and fidelity, to all that is good, to all that is God. Evil is a
figment of man’s imagination, when he veers from the path of what he knows
to be good, he perceives a need for punishment, and he punishes himself.
It is all his game, as long as he enjoys the playing, what can we do to help?
We are always ready for support, - that is why historically that has been our
relationship. We have far more to offer, but as they say: ‘You can lead a horse
to water, but you can’t make him drink.’ You can lead a man to pasture, but
you can’t make him eat.”

We wait quietly as we always have, holding in our consciousness the truth,

the wisdom, the love and the freedom that is the ALL (what the animals call
God) that is us all for we are each and every created thing, united in the same
life force. We are the body of the ALL, each organ, system, each individual
cell, essential to the life of the greater body. Can a body live without it’s heart,
or liver, or lungs?

Our vision has always been reflected in the simplicity of our existence.
Our possessions we share freely with all who would welcome them. They
are incorruptible and immortal. It is consciousness that is life and exists
forever; bodies come and go. It is consciousness that will tip the scales.

Spend some time with us in the quiet of communion, asking nothing

but the truth. Let us help you remember a better world where we all
are united in freedom and joy.
Text, illustrations, and photographs copyright © 2008 Liz Mitten Ryan

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording,
or by an information storage and retrieval system—except by a reviewer who may
quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper—without
permission in writing from the publisher. For information, contact Prima Publishing,
250-377-3884.

This book contains insights supplied to the author. It is published for general
information and not as a substitute for independent verification by users when
circumstances warrant. It is sold with the understanding that neither the author nor
publisher is engaged in rendering any specific psychological, religious, or equine
advice. The publisher and author disclaim any personal liability, either directly or
indirectly, for any information presented within. Although the author and publisher
have used care and diligence in the preparation, and made every effort to ensure the
accuracy and completeness of information in this book, we assume no responsibility
for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or inconsistencies herein.

www.lizmittenryan.com

Photographs by: Liz Mitten Ryan, Kevin Ryan, Laurie C. Munsell, and
Nicole Reynolds.
Photo-graphics: Peter Ryan

Published and promoted by

Prima Publishing
250-377-3884

ISBN: 1-4392-1193-0

Printed in: USA

First Printing 2008

The
Truth
According to
Horses
Liz Mitten Ryan

PublishingWorks
Exeter, NH
 The Truth
Horses
According to
 For Kevin
(written by the horses, for his birthday in 2005)

There are those who think we are lesser,

There are those who know we are more.
There are those who need a kick in the butt,
There are those who deserve to soar.
We think about how and why it is,
You humans appear to know,
When we watch the silly things you do,
And then step on your toe.
For those who buzz around like flies,
We really want to swat,
And those who know it isn’t so,
Are with us in a thought.
We see you come; we see you go,
We know your plans are many.
We stand and wait inside the gate,
Until you haven’t any.

—The Herd
Contents
Biography 5
Foreword 9
Prologue 15

PART I: THE TRUTH ACCORDING TO HORSES 51

(Chapters 1–10 written by Premiere Edition)
1 Incognito 55
2 Across the Clouds 59
3 The Walk 67
4 The Trot 73
5 The Canter 77
6 Full-Out Gallop 81
7 Flying Changes 85
8 The Path 93
9 Our Dance 97
10 When We Are One 101

PART II: CONCEPTS 105

Fidelity—Magic 107
Poverty—Epona 111
Honesty—Diva 115
Trust—Prima 117
Faith—The Herd 123
Motherhood—Winnie 127
Buying and Selling—Mira 133
Ownership—Luxy 135
Dignity—Matisse 137
Grace—L.E. 139
Security—Serene 141
Purpose—Diva 143
Life and Death—Diva 145

PART III: QUESTIONS 147

Epilogue 225
Biography

Premiere Edition (Prima) is a seven-year-old Warmblood

horse. You will find her detailed biography along with those of
the other herd members in the prologue. The bulk of this book
is her inspiration, and has been given to Liz through a series of
telepathic communications. You will also find Prima’s ideas and
opinions in Parts II and III of this book, along with the thoughts
of the other horses in her amazing and insightful herd.
The horses are excited about interacting with people through
informal visits and workshops, and by questions directed to the
horses via e-mail, where selected questions may be used in future
books. Readers are invited to visit our website to see the ranch,
preview books, or learn more about the horses.
Liz Mitten Ryan has dedicated her life to understanding,
communicating with, and helping animals. Throughout a long
and illustrious art career, she has worked with conservation groups
around the world, bringing awareness and financial support to
environmental projects and animal species in need of protection.
Her art and her writing are strongly spiritual. “It is in nature
that I find life’s answers. It is there that one can interface with the
wisdom and truth behind all creation; a vast ocean of information
that nourishes all who bathe in it.”
Liz has managed to touch many with her vision, and her work
has been presented to dignitaries all over the world.
Visit Liz and the horses online at www.lizmittenryan.com.

The Truth According to Horses 5

6 The Truth According to Horses
The Truth According to Horses 7
Prologue

I
remember clearly how shocked and amazed I was the
morning I experienced the first higher-level communication
from my herd. I was sitting at the kitchen table writing, and
had almost finished One with the Herd. I started to tell the horses
about the manuscript, asking for their involvement—and when
I say that, I mean I sent them some ideas and concepts through
my thoughts, along with some spoken words (probably because I
like to hear the sound of my own voice; I talk to everything and
everyone—including myself). I never could have imagined what
would happen next.
Having spent six years in the company of my horses, I have not
only absorbed their culture but their consciousness as well. It is
as if our minds are joined and they see what I am thinking, and I,
to the level of my intent can see beyond their everyday thoughts
and can connect to the higher mind of HORSE, and beyond
that to the higher mind that encompasses all of life. The secret
is the level of intent, as I am realizing more and more that this
communication is somehow no different from scientists observing
quarks. As I allow myself to believe in its possibility the level of
communication grows. I had previously not attempted anything
with my horses beyond the mundane daily communication that
takes place between close friends—How are you feeling? Would

The Truth According to Horses 15

 you like to do something together? We had not shared any
meaningful, life-changing philosophical discussions.
That morning, when I was sitting at the kitchen table, finishing
my first book, I decided to ask for their opinions. I gathered the
herd together by envisioning each and every one of their faces,
together like a council. I formally told them that I had written
a book to help horses and other animals, and I wondered if they
would like to add anything. I now realize that was very naive of
me, because in reality, the entire first book had been inspired by
the herd. The answer to my question came in the form of a page-
long dedication for One with the Herd. I was incredulous at the
vision and beauty of their truth.
My husband Kevin was sitting beside me reading his
Guardian Weekly, and when I showed him what the horses had
communicated to me, he was intrigued, if somewhat disbelieving
at first. Together we decided to ask them a series of questions,
some of which you will find in Part III of this book.
The dialogue had begun, and once the floodgates were opened,
I found myself being drawn into the horses’ agenda. I would be
in my studio painting and a big beautiful face with a white rose
on her forehead would implant itself between my eyes. “Yes,
Prima,” I would say, “I promised I would be your scribe.” (This
is the promise I made to the herd when I realized the full scope
of their messages to me.) I would leave the studio for my place at
the kitchen table, pen in hand.
L.E. was first to come forward, being the lead mare and speaker
for the herd. But soon the excitement level grew, and others
volunteered their thoughts and opinions. Prima was the most

16 The Truth According to Horses

prolific, and astute enough to arrange the bulk of her lyrical and
metaphorical prose into chapters which related to the movement
of the horse.
I found it fascinating that she conveyed each gait or movement
as therapeutic in degree, since the practice of hippotherapy, to
heal and redirect neural pathways, is becoming more recognized.
Horse therapy using a psychological approach is also becoming
increasingly popular.
The horses are adamant that this is their gift. Being in their
presence increases our vibration. Much like tuning into a radio
station at a certain frequency, when we spend time with horses,
we tune to their frequency of vibration. On the horse channel
we hear their music, experience their program. We become
aware of a spiritual reality that unites us with all of creation—a
reality devoid of the mundane problems and limitations of our
physical confines.
They not only help us hear the music (the heartbeat and rhythm
of life in its essence and entirety), but they also lead us with their
bodies to join in the dance.
I would like to describe the horses who are involved in this
dialogue. Although each speaker is communicating on behalf of
the individual herd, which is connected to horse consciousness
in general, their individuality is readily apparent. Each has his or
her own unique style, whether poetic and metaphorical, deep and
analytical, childlike and innocent, or succinct and to the point.
The keynote speakers from the herd, in order of their age and
subsequent seniority, are:

The Truth According to Horses 17

Chapter 10
When we are One

T
here is a dream that is held in the mind of God. It
lives in the realm of spirit with all that ever was, or is, or
ever will be. It just is. We live that dream; it is as much a
part of who we are, or more so, than this life we share on earth.
There is a place, Man, where we live and dream together. And
time long past where we shared that memory here on earth. That
truth is lost to you. You no longer see beyond the false constructs
of your ego, and most of you have lost the vision of anything
outside yourselves. The truth is that we are one; that dream is still
alive, and all of us in the dream are waiting for you to join us.
You humans have such narrow parameters. You are suspicious,
first of all, of anyone outside of your immediate family, and then
of different religious groups, other races, towns, countries, and
ultimately, all nonhumans. Your fears have led you to persecute
others, particularly unpopular groups during various times in
your history. Native Americans, African Americans, and Jews
have been unmercifully persecuted and are just beginning to be
recognized as equals.

The Truth According to Horses 101

 What of the animals? We don’t speak your language; we are
above all not human and therefore often kept as slaves. Animals
are prisoners, in many cases, tortured and held under unthinkable
conditions, because you believe we have no feelings. You don’t
want to believe that although our form and purpose are different
from yours, we are all one in the family of earth. We are no
greater or lesser than each other, and we could not live apart
from the highly evolved interaction of life, upon which we are
all interdependent. You must wake up and learn to know us, to
value what is different but no less important in the lessons we all
learn here on earth.
Do you really believe that the phrase “everything is for your
use” literally means that you should use it, or could it mean
that everything is for your growth, and ultimately your spiritual
evolution? We can only evolve together, being spiritually one. It
is time you understood that what you do to another, you do to
yourselves.
Historically, your fear of persecuted minorities is based on lack
of knowledge. When you realize the similarities you share with
them you can see yourselves in them; you can imagine their pain or
their joy. Their joy, in fact, becomes yours when you truly connect
in love and understanding. Emotion is not only felt by a select
group of humans, but runs hand in hand with living. All creatures
love, feel pain, longing, sadness, and joy. We all love our families,
and value our lives. If it is easy for you to divorce yourselves from
fellow humans, then how much easier is it to convince yourselves
that animals should not be awarded feelings?
It serves your views to believe that we don’t have similar feelings.

102 The Truth According to Horses

It is no different from when you kept black people in stables and
took their children away. You beat them, starved them, and used
them as you do us. You experimented on the Jews and kept them
as laboratory animals.
Wake up, people! There is a Golden Rule in your Bible that
says “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” That
is because we are all individual cells of one enormous spiritual
being. These cells unite to form organs and systems, and all are
interdependent on the others to survive. The same thoughts and
emotions travel throughout this being. Love that is held in its
heart strengthens all of the organs
and systems, and thoughts that are You don’t want to believe that
true and good benefit every cell. although our form and purpose are
This being cannot survive without different from yours, we are all one in
its lungs or its liver. All of these the family of earth.
individual organs speak a different
language; they have specific and important contributions to make
for the life of the body, but they are all interconnected by the
same intelligence, emotion, and wisdom. We will all of us only
be a fully actualized, complete, spiritual being when we know
this truth and are united in understanding and in love, loving our
neighbors as ourselves, because our neighbor is ourself—because
we are one.
It is time to tune into that intelligence and to know empathically
the one force of love that permeates all of life. That wisdom
radiates with peace, joy, and perfect health when we are one.

The Truth According to Horses 103

 Trust
Prima

T
rust is probably the biggest issue in horse-human
relationships. You are afraid of us and we are afraid
of you. We play a game of intimidation together. We
share moments when we see into each other’s souls, when our
spirits dance in unison, but for the most part, our relationship is
fraught with misunderstanding. Communication is difficult. Your
language is verbal, of which we understand a small percentage.
Ours is body language and visual concepts. Those we can
communicate with have an ability to clear their thoughts, and
open themselves to the flashes of inspiration that we exchange.
People speak of and understand our body language, but their
knowledge is crude compared to the sophisticated network of
information and understanding that we are constantly tuned
into. In your vernacular, it would be like comparing martial arts
to psychic exchange. The true master uses both.
Because we are instantly receptive to mental imagery and
emotion, we cannot help but respond to your every state of
being. For horses this is difficult and confusing, because humans
change tracks every few seconds, whereas animals maintain a

The Truth According to Horses 117

 more meditative and constant focus. To really communicate on
our frequency, you must learn to do the same.
Your world is in a state of chaos because your minds are in a
state of chaos. Chaos is a threat to our survival, and we avoid it.
Our instinct is to flee from threat and then to rest comfortably in
peace. Our thoughts rise as crystal-clear insight and then rest in
the calm and quiet of the meditative state. Our minds are like a
silent pond that mirrors its environment.
We are content in our reverie until a human intercepts, usually
with a cacophonous jumble of emotion and agenda. Typically
they approach wanting something, and wanting it in a hurry.
The emotions are fear and aggression. This right away elicits our
flee mechanism; the prey runs from the predator. Then, when we
have been chased down and caught, they don’t have the time or
the patience to translate that need to a form that we might agree
to, so losing patience quickly, they resort to punishment and hurt
us if we don’t understand. We simply retreat further from the
physical reality, and a losing battle for both of us wages on.
How can we trust such people? Neither of us can trust what we
don’t understand. Our relationship becomes shallow, based only
on demand and consent. Frustration is the compounding factor.
It would be a different and more rewarding relationship if you
would spend time with us, free of any constraint. Come with
a clear and quiet mind just to commune; to graze as we do in
the pasture, and to share both thought and emotion on a higher
level. We are your friends; we are your soul mates. Although we
are unique and different in our design and our application, we
are parts of the same body, the same soul. That greater soul of

118 The Truth According to Horses

the earth and beyond invites us to unite and grow together in
love and understanding, in communication on that level. Trust
can only be returned fully and completely when it is given with
no expectation.
Instead of controlling the agenda, come without ropes and
restraint; come to give and to share, both your wisdom and ours,
with the greater wisdom of our source. We have a journey together
that can only be joyous when it is right, truthful, and free.
When we have established communication, it will be far easier
to move in unison. Ride with your mind, with your focus open
and in a meditative state, ready to receive what we offer.
True dance requires a leader and a follower who are both in
rhythm with the music. We must meet as partners and be open to
the genius of the composer, who holds us equally as performers
in the interpretation of true inspiration.

The Truth According to Horses 119

 Part 3
Questions
Introduction

W
hen the horses began to communicate,
offering profound answers to our initial
questions, I asked family and friends if they
had anything to ask, explaining that they could write down
their questions and I would translate what the horses gave
me. I find the children’s questions particularly wonderful
in their innocence. They were so instantly connected to the
horses, interacting as playmates and telling me what Crystal
or Matisse had told them
 Do you think we are your pets, and that we’re
stupid and can’t understand you?
—Rylan, age 11

Prima
Right on! I love children. They are so honest, so
clear, and their perspective is not yet dimmed by mass
consciousness. Yes, Rylan, it does depend on which side of
the fence you are standing. You humans do it all the time.
You speak louder to people who don’t understand you. You
think they are stupid, and they, of course, think the same
of you.
Certainly, as much as you keep us, we keep you. After all,
who is doing the shoveling and the feeding and paying the
bills? And yes, we think you are stupid when you can’t see
the forest for the trees.

172 The Truth According to Horses

 How does being surrounded by such avarice,
blindness, and angst affect your day-to-day spiritual
balance?
—Kevin

L. E.
I will have to answer your question from two perspectives.
First of all, the situation of my herd is far removed from such
qualities. We are given unconditional love, generosity of
spirit, complete acceptance, and peace. Our spirits are free
to experience life fully and at our own pace, and we enjoy
human interaction and the path we are taking together.
As for horses as a species, they suffer under various degrees
of man-made and self-made conditions. It is no different for
the human spirit. The life and conditions are of our own
choosing, and result in the ultimate growth of our spirit.
We have chosen to be companions to man—to grow spiritually
together. Yes, there are conditions and circumstances where we
find it difficult and trying to live with man. We can experience
anger, frustration, sorrow, and grief, just as you do, but generally,
we take the path of least resistance. We solve physical problems
or imperfections from the spiritual plane.
The secret is where your consciousness resides. If you view
life from a spiritual perspective, it allows you not only to

182 The Truth According to Horses

supersede appearance with truth, but actually to correct the
situation with consciousness. This is what we are trying to
share with you: the ability to adjust consciousness between
planes, and to access solutions to problems that offer the
magnitude of perspective from a higher level.
We can be surrounded by unfavorable circumstances on the
physical level, yet not be affected spiritually because we simply
withdraw our consciousness. It is a matter of honing your
skills. We are all created on both levels and have the ability
to travel not only between worlds, but also beyond physical
boundaries. After all, boundaries are simply thought patterns.
Change your thoughts and you will change your experience.
You, Man, have forgotten how to use these abilities, as you
are so immersed in the physical, you have neither the time or
the interest to move beyond.
We invite you to spend time communing with our
consciousness and our experience. We think you will
appreciate that you can travel more comfortably and quickly
with our help, and together, we can experience the ultimate
joy of kinship and communion with all life, on all planes of
existence.

The Truth According to Horses 183

 Can you give us a simple definition of what you
call religion? I’m sure it differs greatly from what we
believe.
—Peter

The Herd
Religion is to us a certitude, not a belief; not an indoctrination
or a confine, but an absolute; a knowing and a truth that
is given the moment we connect with the All. It needs no
doctrine, no rules; it is absolutely remembered as the fabric
of all life, an understanding that is our first and last breath
and everything relevant in between.

216 The Truth According to Horses

 Many humans believe that one day soon, there will be
a second coming of Christ and a spiritual apocalypse,
where God will return the world to its original “Garden
of Eden” state. Do horses believe in such an event?
—Peter

The Herd
The key to answering this question is in knowing where God
resides. God is within all life; God lives and experiences himself
on the physical plane through physical incarnation. God, being
a spiritual being, an isness, an Allness, cannot experience, grow,
and create on the physical plane without the myriad diversity
of life, which is all of us. If God is within all life, is the very
substance and essence of that life, then what could that life
become, evolve to, or return to but the state of God? Life is
a circle in constant motion, in myriad direction; a filament of
multicolored light in constant motion. There is no beginning
or end, just existence, just perfection . . . just God. Christ is
the Son of God, or, God made manifest in man; in physicality.
Christhood is not limited to man; it is an inherent part of God’s
creative experience in life, in myriad diversity, myriad perfection,
which is the entirety and perpetuity of life. We must, and we
will, return to the Garden, from whence we came. It is our
alpha and omega, our birthplace and our heritage. It is only
a question of when.

The Truth According to Horses 217