The Icelandic horse Månestjerne (Moon Star) became the cure of my riding anxiety when I started my first riding lessons 2,5 years ago. After half a year, I rode other horses, and time passed. Just a little more than a month ago, I spent time with her again. I went out to fetch her (the herd lives outside all year round), and met this quiet, large being in a shed.
I felt her spirit strongly. I noticed how wise and calm she was, and that she seemed to accept me. Accepted to spend time with me. We had four great riding lessons together this spring, and I told my teacher that I had decided to write a little tribute to her in this newsletter. A tribute to her feminine leadership.
But when I came the following week, hoping to ride Månestjerne, she had died the same morning. Unexpectedly. She was old, 24 years, and was found early that morning. Her final day, the day before, had been summer solstice and she had galloped with her best friend. Månestjerne may have died in her sleep – or maybe she had just felt a gentle breeze in her mane, had fallen quietly to the ground, smelling the soil as her final act. Heard the birds singing in the early hours of the day, knowing that her herd was around. It couldn’t be better. This is the perfect death. I want to go like that.
Månestjerne was the lead mare. For now, no one has stepped up and the herd is a bit unruly. I am writing this on a riding camp (!) and I can sense the loss of her. I am intrigued by her leadership.
Lead horses get appointed by the herd. They have an authentic leadership. Like other lead mares, Månestjerne was extremely grounded. Never in panic, never stressed, never visibly worried. She was caring and showed other horses how to behave if they had trouble with the herd. You would never guess that she was in charge. She only had to send a glance, move an ear, or give other quiet signals to establish order.
Not only did she care for her herd of 14 Icelandic horses and 7 Shetland ponies, but she also dealt with a varied herd of human beings. Children, young people, and adults, some with eating disorders, stress, anxiety, depression, autism, or other diagnoses trusted Månestjerne because of her grounded presence. She calmed nervous systems. She healed so many.
My teacher Maja tells me that leadership courses with horses have traditionally focused on the stallion’s traits. On masculine energies and values of leadership of a more dominant, aggressive character. Basically, that you learned how to boss the horse around. The lead mares had no value in this leadership / horsemanship paradigm.
Månestjerne never bossed her herd around. She didn’t have to. She only had to do very little – to gain great impact. Barely noticeable for humans. The lead mare is simply present, attentive, caring, always just, and secure of herself. A peacemaker.
I long for more feminine leadership (unrelated to gender, as we all carry masculine and feminine traits and energies). A leader like her, is someone that I would follow in an instant.
Thank you, Månestjerne.
