I have had horses in my life since the age of seven years old. Always
feeling more at home, on the ground, working on the relationship with the
horse, rather than riding and dominating the horse, Equine Therapy matches my personality. Each of my team of
equines has come with their own stories, trauma, trust issues. This work enables the horses not only to help
heal humans, but for the humans to help heal the horse. Tedx Talk.
Let me introduce you to my little herd, who are my team members and I could not do this work without.
Henry, my nearly seven year old, he is one of the most playful horses I have ever known. His most favourite thing to do is to play with his ball. You can find him in his pasture, pushing his ball around and then jumping on top of it. His little nose is always on the go, exploring his surroundings and his people. Henry has proven to be a great horse in sessions, he is sensitive and intuitive to the clients. Henry is on his own timeline when it comes to his training. He went away for training in 2021, but he just was not ready. He is going to be an amazing horse once he is backed, but he is not ready, maybe our year is 2024. He will get there and I won't rush him. Everyone learns at a different rate, this is true for horses as well as humans. He is also an Appaloosa, they are a little spotty on the inside as well as the out!
Cassie is a 19 year old Thoroughbred x Odenberg. I have had Cassie since March 2021. She is one of the most sensitive horses I have ever had. She feels everything, and strongly. I have written blog posts about Cassie's healing journey. She is now stepping into sessions and turning up when she is needed. There is just something about this girl. She has taught me so much. Patience, not to give up and to just hold space for magic to happen. I ask her permission for everything. Everything is a discussion. If she gives me a no and she knows how to let me know she is not comfortable or doesn't want to do something, I back off and wait until she is ready. She has learned how to regulate herself, something she was incapable of doing when I first had her. I can see her processing the situation and looking to me for reassurance and then trusting that and working through it with big releases. She has the most gentle soul and I just love her to bits. She is due to have a baby Cass in April 2024! The sire is Chicago, Tracey Epp's stallion. This is going to be a very special baby! Not just because of her parentage, but also because of the journey Cass has had to get here and have a baby on her terms. I can't wait to see her in her element which is being a mama.
Clyde and Lightening are very bonded mini's. Lightening is a palamino (golden), 20 year old gelding and Clyde is a grey, 30 year old gelding (this year). These guys are not short on personality. I call Clyde my little racoon, because he is always into something, generally somewhere he shouldn't be. He wants to be close, but hates cuddles and kisses. He has very clear boundaries and I think at 30 he has earned that for sure!! Lightening is quiet and sensitive, he wants his little herd around him and is happiest when he is in the middle of everything. These guys are amazing at working in my kids programs and a total asset to me.
Ben, so, I swapped my little black beast, Bella for this guy. His owner was looking for a semi retired place for Ben to settle, I was looking for a place where Bella could be the only (ish) horse on the property and be brought on riding wise and have some fun. Bella now lives in Nova Scotia in her forever home and I couldn't be happier! Ben is a 15.3hh Thoroughbred, apparently the slowest race horse ever. He is a sweetheart. The energy of the herd has changed so much since he has joined us. Henry and Ben play together. He has already stepped up for therapy sessions and supports the horses by laying down and snoozing! He is such a sweet guy to handle but is fully retired, as he has kissing spine and we are working on him being comfortable and trying to open up the spine, so he is in not so much pain. He is a total cookie monster and is very clear when it is bedtime! Bit like me actually! He is a welcome addition to the herd and I am excited to see what he offers to our sessions.
I am so lucky to have these five horses in my life and to have them as part of my team. I could not do the work without them and love spending as much time with them as I possibly can. They all teach me on a daily basis and make me want to learn and improve and do my best by them. I am on my own journey with them guiding me.
Our Location
In May 2022, we bought our property on the Sunshine Coast, in Roberts Creek. We are now all living on site together!! I am beyond excited! Having lived her for little over six months now, I can't believe how lucky we are. The property is full of mature trees,
boasting a Sequoia, Maples, Cedars, Douglas Firs and Alders. The property has
numerous gardens and is quintessentially English throughout. We have secret
pockets of land with ponds, flower and herb gardens and veggie patches all
offering little nooks of tranquility. An
orchard with apple, cherry and plum trees offer shade to the herd in the
summer. With the amazing natural
environment of the property comes with resident animals (apart from the
horses), we have bears pass through, ravens and bald headed eagles roosting in
the trees. A resident turtle and terrapin
in the ponds and families of ducks pass through. Chipmunks keep the minis on their toes
tormenting them from high up in the trees.
In the evening, we are serenaded by owls, frogs and bats. Our cottage which is our meeting place /
classroom and will be our retreat centre is tucked away and private to the main
house. Bringing my love of
nature, gardening, crafts, I hope our space is inviting to clients and guests. If clients do not want
to work with the horses, there is always a different option of things to do,
having a classroom set up for crafting, or being able to have quiet reflection
around the pond areas or in sitting in nature allows the clients to choose what
they need at that time.