Healing in the Presence of Horses
Truth in Horses programs are collaborative efforts that involve participants in experiential sessions with skilled facilitators, caring counselors, experts trained in horsemanship, a 1000+ pound equine partner, and a food program designed to renew optimal health. Through guided activities and interactions, participants have the opportunity to experience self-awareness, personal and spiritual growth, and healing.

Horses as Pathfinders
Horses live in the present moment. Their awareness is keenly connected to what is happening right now in their environment-there is no concern with the past or future in their world. And while horses don't criticize, they do possess an innate ability to sense if an individual is standing in truth or masking true feelings. In fact, horses use their highly developed senses in all interactions, so they sometimes understand our emotions even better than we do. Put a human and a horse together, and the horse serves as a mirror to help the human explore feelings or concerns held inside that might not match what he or she is expressing outside. By mirroring those inside feelings, the horse becomes a pathfinder to truth-your truth.

The human body is "wired" to heal naturally. However, when you don't recognize your truth, as happens every time you ignore or bury an emotion to avoid pain, it sends a message to the cells that has a profound affect on the body's ability to heal. When revealed, your truth allows you to identify negative emotions and connect to what is causing your pain-this creates healing at a cellular level. And as a result, this healing can transform your life in positive, life-affirming, and very dramatic ways. The new truth that is discovered then becomes an ever-flowing catalyst for profound healing in all areas of your life; including relationships, work, and your emotional and physical health.

Dr. Candace Pert has proven scientifically that emotions directly affect the way our bodies function through the release or repression of peptides. In her book, Molecules of Emotion, she explains, "When our emotions are expressed-which is to say that the biochemicals that are the substrate of emotion are flowing freely-all systems are united and made whole." Her message is clear: heal the mind-and you'll heal the body. This, too, is the message in Truth in Horses - the answers truly are within you…and we invite you to stand in the presence of horses to reveal your answers.

 

Cameo: a Testimony of Truth

"Tears rolled, uninvited, down my cheeks as I stood in her immense presence. My face wet, my heart aching to find a way to reach her. As I brushed Cameo, my thoughts raced, "I can pour all my love, honor, and respect into this horse, and she still might not take care of me-just because I love her, it doesn't mean that she'll protect me-that she won't hurt me." What a helpless feeling. And as I held the lead rope, I was certain she knew all my insecurities and would surely run me over-but she didn't. Instead, she came to me-placing a soft nose on my chest as if to say, "I hear you."

This interaction brought to mind my familiar, yet destructive relationship patterns-being with wise and powerful people whom I loved. Yet my love, respect, and honor for them didn't guarantee that they would love me back, or that they wouldn't hurt me. I could still get hurt-I did still get hurt. Did I believe my safety depended on someone or something loving me?

"Doesn't that wild, wonderful, wise woman in me count?" I wondered where I stood in relationship with that part of myself? I laughed through the streaming tears. In Cameo's presence, I realized that I don't have to only let that part of me show up when I felt safe. That part of me was present right now! As I cautiously swung my leg over the saddle, I immediately felt the pounding of her heart between my legs. I felt a twinge of disbelief-I knew nothing about horses or riding, yet the connection between this horse and me was real. Our hearts reached for each other, and my heart pounded in response to hers.

In that instant it became clear that my love for this animal wasn't what was going to make me feel safe-she had all the power, after all. I had to trust myself. And as my trust built, Cameo began to respond to me and I realized-she was teaching me that the world is responsive to me. I count-all I have to do is show up and be myself, and that's enough.