Horses - Our Teachers and Role Models

I have been a life long observer of horses, big and small, young and old.  I have such a passion for them because they are so uniquely themselves.  As our crazy world spins ever more out of control, their peace and tranquility as a herd gives me confidence that we too can live in harmony and take better care of each other.

This year has been a true journey for me as a horsewoman. I have had to unlearn lots of my lessons from the show ring, hunt field, carriage driving, training and teaching. This retooling of my horse knowledge has come about because I have gotten deeply involved in equine facilitated mental health and all things transformative about being in the presence of a horse. To my surprise and delight, this healing happens even more intensely when I am working on the ground with them instead of riding or driving them.

We no longer teach riding. Instead, we teach how to live, trust, connect and show up in life.

Horses - Our Teachers and Role Models

My involvement with the healing magic of unmounted teamwork with horses came about slowly over the last three years.  Starting with Equine Experiential Education (E3A) certification, followed by more certification with Equine Assisted Growth & Learning (EAGALA), and then still more certification with Athena in England, my understanding of the true healing power of the horse has evolved. Wisdom Horse, our teambuilding, therapeutic and wellness horse business began in earnest and with quantifiable results.

This was exciting.  The true breakthrough, however, was last May when we hosted the Horses & Healing Symposium.  Jennifer Geach and Graeme Green of Athena came from England as key note speakers. They spoke of horse wellbeing, agency and consent.  They were joined by Tim and Tanner Job of Natural Horsemanship in Texas.  Watching videos of their large herd of therapy horses all living peacefully with robust coats, perfect body conditions and thoroughly at peace together, truly inspired me.

With their advice and experience, these four incredible people walked our land with me.  We discussed how to do rotational grazing and restorative farming while providing our herd of 8 horses with a chance to truly live in community with each other.

Horses - are in deed our teachers and role models! We have now made the changes. We have given them individual feeding time in their stalls.  We have carefully watched their weight and health.  We have given them the space they need to form a settled herd.  Mostly, we have let them live as horses once lived...together.

The transformation is remarkable.  No anxiety.  No ears back.  No fussing over the fence.  No kicks or injuries.

We are watching peace, contentment and herd safety.