At Equine Connection The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning ,we know that humour is not just something nice to have in life, it is essential. Humour helps us survive the hard times, enjoy the good times, and stay grounded through all of it. It makes us more resilient, more connected, and more human. And just like horses, who naturally play, run, and kick up their heels, we too need to remember how to laugh.
Why Humour Matters in Life and Business
Life is not easy. Bodies break down. Relationships sometimes fall apart. We lose people we love. We face chronic pain, fear, and setbacks that feel impossible to get through. In those moments, it is easy to lose sight of joy. But humour brings us back.
At Equine Connection, we believe that laughter and growth go hand in hand. When we laugh, we heal. When we laugh, we connect. And when we laugh, we create the space to keep going, even when life feels overwhelming. Horses show us this every day. In every herd, foals learn through play. They nip, kick, and run as part of growing strong. Humour and fun are not extra; they are essential for survival.
The New Hampshire Bladder Story
Now, let us take you on one of our favourite stories that proves just how important humour is.
We were in New Hampshire for one of our training trips, a place we absolutely adore. If you have ever been there, you know how beautiful and clean it is, filled with pride of ownership and yes, wild turkeys everywhere. After a wonderful day, we found ourselves at a cozy old tavern inn. The kind of place that feels like home, where you eat, laugh, and share a few drinks.
And that night, I discovered the dirty martini. My mom had always told me to try one and I resisted. But sitting there with friends, I gave it a shot and fell in love. Maybe a little too much. Because shortly after, I felt that dreaded feeling every woman of a certain age knowsÃÂ the bladder warning.
Now, I had three babies, and while my bladder is still pretty solid for my age, trampolines and long waits are no longer my best friends. It hit me zero to sixty. I needed a bathroom and I needed it fast. Crossing my legs, hopping, squeezing Carolyn's hand for support, I tried desperately not to laugh because laughter would have been a disaster.
Carolyn carried my purse, opened doors, and quite literally guided me across that inn. I am not exaggerating when I say it took 15 minutes to make it to the bathroom. Any wrong move, any burst of laughter, and it would have been game over. To this day, I do not know how we made it. But what I do know is this: once we did, we laughed until our sides hurt.
Humour Brings Us Back to Life
Why share this story? Because it is real. Because it reminds us that sometimes the funniest, most human moments are the ones that connect us the most. Humour gives us permission to laugh at ourselves, to stop taking life so seriously, and to remember that joy exists even in awkward, messy moments.
And the same is true in business. Running a business is not easy. It takes hard work, long hours, and constant dedication. Things will go wrong. Plans will fall apart. But when you can laugh through it, you keep going. Humour keeps you light enough to push through the heavy parts.
Humour, Horses, and Healing
Horses are incredible teachers of this. They do not judge us. They do not care if our bodies are creaky, if our business plan fell apart, or if we are carrying the weight of a tough week. They live in the moment, they find joy in simple things, and they remind us to be present.
In our certification programs at Equine Connection, we always emphasize that the horse is never a tool. The horse is a teacher. And part of what they teach us is how to reconnect to our authentic selves. Sometimes that means shedding tears. Sometimes that means finding courage. And sometimes that means remembering how to laugh again.
Our community of facilitators often shares that one of the most surprising and healing parts of their certification experience is the joy and laughter that comes with it. Yes, the training is serious. Yes, the science is profound. But laughter is woven through every step of the journey. Because healing and humour are not opposites. They are partners.
Finding Humour in the Hard Times
We have shared our stories over the years of falling off fences, sliding down snowy hills in ridiculous Christmas costumes, and even being humbled by honest grandmas pointing out spider veins. These stories remind us that life is not about perfection. It is about connection. And connection often comes through laughter.
Even in the darkest times, humour can be a lifeline. Chronic pain, grief, and loss can weigh us down, but humour gives us a moment of relief, a chance to breathe again. It is not about dismissing the pain, it is about surviving it.
A Herd That Laughs Together
One of the most powerful parts of joining the Equine Connection family is discovering a herd that understands this balance. Our global community of facilitators works hard, takes the horse-human connection seriously, and is deeply committed to helping people heal. But we also laugh. A lot.
Because laughter creates safety. Laughter creates trust. And laughter makes the journey more enjoyable.
When you join Equine Connection, you join more than a certification program. You join a herd that believes in honesty, growth, purpose, and yes, humour. Because life is too short not to laugh.
Final Thought
So here is your challenge. Find humour in your day. Laugh at yourself. Laugh with your friends. Laugh with your horses. Humour is healing. Humour is human. And humour is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.
At Equine Connection, we live it every day, and we invite you to join us.
Because humour in life is not optional. It is necessary.