The Sandalwood Horses Of Sumba Island

Hi,

Thanks for joining me,

Clara,

On this guided visualization for sleep.

In this episode,

We'll embark on a guided meditation for sleep to Samba Island,

Where you'll discover the wild sandalwood horses who live there.

First,

Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale,

Then let yourself sink into the softness of your bed and allow your body to relax.

Relax all the muscles in your face,

Focus on your forehead and release all the tension.

Allow the tightness to melt away from your eyes.

Drop your shoulders as low as possible to ease any stress from your neck.

Relax your upper and lower arms,

Then move down to your fingers.

Relax your chest and fill your lungs with air.

Release,

Then move down to your hips and knees,

Then finish at your ankles and feet.

Samba Island is located in Indonesia,

A country in Southeast Asia.

It's part of the Lesser Sunda Islands,

A chain of islands that run parallel to the north coast of Australia,

Specifically Samba Island is located in the eastern part of Indonesia,

In the province of East Nusa Tenggara.

It lies south of Flores Island and east of Sambawa Island.

The island spans an area of approximately 11,

000 square kilometers and is home to roughly 750,

000 people.

Its topography includes rugged mountains,

Dense forests and deep river valleys.

The island also has picturesque beaches,

Pristine waters and vibrant coral reefs.

The wild horses of Samba Island,

Also known as sandalwood horses,

Are a unique and fascinating breed.

They've lived on the island for centuries,

Adapting to the rugged terrain,

Harsh climate and isolation.

The origins of the horses on Samba Island are not entirely clear,

But it's believed that traders or settlers from other parts of Asia brought them to the island,

Perhaps as early as the 4th century BC.

Over time,

The horses adapted to the conditions on the island,

Developing unique traits and characteristics that set them apart from other breeds.

Sandalwood horses are small,

Standing only around 12 to 13 hands high.

They have a stocky build with strong legs and muscular bodies.

Despite being small,

They're known for their strength and endurance,

Making them ideal for work and transportation.

These horses come in various colors,

Including brown,

Black,

Grey and white.

They have long,

Flowing manes and tails that give them a regal and majestic appearance.

Sandalwood horses are also known for their gentle and friendly nature,

Making them easy to approach and handle.

Sadly,

Sandalwood horses are considered rare and endangered,

With only about 2,

000 to 3,

000 remaining on the island.

However,

Conservation efforts are being made to protect and preserve this unique breed because they're essential to the island's cultural heritage and natural ecosystem.

Imagine yourself on a beautiful tropical island,

Surrounded by lush,

Green forests and the distant sound of waves gently crashing on the shore.

You're standing on a hilltop,

Overlooking a vast valley stretching before you.

The valley below has tall trees,

Bushes and wildflowers.

A winding river meanders through it,

Glimmering in the sunlight as the water flows over rocks and boulders.

The steep cliffs on either side of the valley provide a dramatic backdrop,

Casting deep shadows over the landscape.

Far away,

Mountains rise up,

With peaks shrouded in mist.

In the distance,

You see a herd of wild horses grazing peacefully in the grass.

They're the famous sandalwood horses of Samba Island.

These horses have lived on this island for centuries and have roamed free and wild for generations.

Their coats are a mixture of colors ranging from chestnut brown to pure white.

Their long manes and tails sway gently in the breeze.

They move gracefully and effortlessly as they graze and play in the sun-drenched valley.

As you watch the horses,

You start feeling a sense of peace and calm,

The pure natural beauty of the island.

And the gentle presence of the horses have a way of soothing your mind and body.

You start to make your way down the hill towards the valley,

Feeling the soft grass under your feet and the sun's warmth on your skin.

You approach the horses,

Slowly and respectfully,

Not wanting to disturb their peaceful existence.

As you get closer,

You notice a few horses are watching you curiously while others continue to graze or rest.

A couple of horses approach you as you stand there.

First,

You offer your hand for them to sniff,

Which helps to establish trust and respect between you.

Then,

As you stroke their manes and speak to them in a soothing voice,

You can feel the velvety softness of the fur beneath your fingertips.

After a while,

The horses nozzle you affectionately,

Affirming a connection and mutual understanding.

The horses go back to grazing.

You spend some time with them as they go about their day.

You watch them as they run and play,

Nozzle each other and simply enjoy the freedom of the open valley.

As you continue to observe the herd of horses,

You notice a sense of unity among them.

They seem to move in perfect synchronization as they graze on the lush vegetation around them.

The rustling of leaves and occasional neighs create a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.

Then the horses begin to move away,

And you follow them,

The sound of trickling water draws your attention,

And you cross a small stream,

The cool water gently washing over your feet.

Sunlight filters through the trees,

Casting a warm glow over the scenery around you.

You follow the herd of horses through the thick vegetation,

Feeling at one with nature,

The scenery around you is breathtaking.

You marvel at the beauty of the natural world,

And the simple joy of being alive.

As you keep trailing the horses,

The sound of the waves intensifies,

You're getting closer to the beach.

With a growing sense of excitement,

You pick up the pace,

Eager to find out what awaits you.

When you emerge from the foliage,

You're greeted by a breathtaking sight,

A pristine beach.

Crystal clear water sparkles in the sunlight,

With small waves breaking against the shore.

The horses are already in the sea,

Playing and splashing around.

You take a few steps towards the water,

Feeling the cool sand between your toes,

Watching the horses frolic in the waves,

Kicking up water and spraying it everywhere.

Soon,

Braver horses venture out further into the water,

Swimming with ease.

As they dive in and out of the waves,

You can see their strong,

Muscular bodies effortlessly paddling through the sea as they enjoy their playful swim.

The horses seem to be having the time of their lives,

And you can't help but smile at their carefree and joyous spirits.

You sit down on the sand and watch them for a while,

Feeling grateful for this incredible experience of witnessing these magnificent creatures in their natural element.

As the sun gets lower in the sky,

The horses disappear into the dense curtain of foliage that lines the beach.

Soon,

The sky transforms into a sunset canvas of deep oranges,

Pinks and purples.

Stretching as far as the eye can see,

The sun's warm glow illuminates the distant mountains,

The tall palm trees and the lush green foliage,

Creating a magical and ethereal atmosphere.

The light is soft and gentle,

Bathing everything in a warm and comforting glow.

As the sun goes down,

You feel grateful for this experience and the simple joy of being alive.

You reflect on the sense of peace and calm that the natural beauty of the island and the gentle presence of the horses brought to you,

Reminding you of the beauty and wonder of the natural world.