EQUINE LEADERSHIP

EQUI NELEADERS HI P amo d e l o f p e a c e f u l a n dp o s i t i v e l e a d e r s h i pf o rAL L

Pr e mi e rI s s u e Fe b r u a r y2 0 1 6

Steve Joseph Equine Photography

Front page: HorseTouch Equine Photos / Location:HorseSpiritConnections

Equine Leadership Welcome to the premier issue of Equine Leadership. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lynda Watson. I am the founder and editor of the Ezine you are presently reading. This publication came into being from the collaborative relationship I have with horses. I have spent a good part of my life with horses in their environment. I learned about the world they live in, their community model so to speak. They share leadership, they work in partnership; they are emotionally resilient and live in a non-judgemental, truly caring environment. They have to for their safety as prey animals. From this model we can learn so very much.

Horses are mirrors that reflect what is going on inside of us. With that reflection we can learn about ourselves and how we relate to others. To learn about ‘why horses’ and the details of how it all works check out; The Science Behind it All. Self Leadership is key to personal growth and horses are masters at offering us wisdom and guidance in that realm and the miracle of it all is that they can do it just by being themselves. Yet horses touch another part of us; our essence, our soul.

Check out: Embracing the Spirit of the Horse to connect with a deeper bond we can all have when we spend time in reflection with a horse. You Walk With Me shares the wisdom of how native teachings co create with horses to assist us on our journey HOME. Equine Leadership is about a ‘soft’ kind of leadership that has implications for every aspect of leadership. For corporate leaders and teams, Bringing horses into the Boardroom, we can learn to lead from the heart in a manner that considers all team members. One can only lead a horse if one is coming from a place of authenticity and true empathy. Horses can lead us through trauma, Horses Healing Trauma, and show us a place of safety and peacefulness. They can also assist health practitioners become better communicators with their clients, Returning the Favour, by reflecting areas of growth needed for the practitioner to improve their personal and relational skills. Another demographic where horses make quite a difference is youth. They provide a non-judgemental, caring and honest environment for them to explore their beliefs, their actions and most importantly themselves. Jessie’s Story: A Youth Perspective delves into the field of EFL and youth. What would a magazine about a particular model of leadership be without words from those that have experienced it? You will find testimonials and quotes throughout and one very special story from a woman that graciously has shared her story in, The Gift of Reflection. A truly special account of a truly special connection. Of course horses love the camera. Many a photo has been captured of very profound moments between horse and human. In, Iceland is an Equine Photographer’s Dream, our resident equine photographer recounts his travels to Iceland to photograph the Icelandic horse and suggests the necessities for an equine photographer’s kit for the island of the north. It is our joy to bring this model of leadership to you and now that we have perhaps sparked your interest one last article on choosing a facilitator for Equine Facilitated Learning: Experiencing the Magic of the Horses for Yourself.

I would like to take this time to thank all of the contributors and those that have assisted in making this publication possible. Your knowledge, creativity and time are greatly appreciated. And Thank YOU, for taking the time to hear the call of the horse. For your curiosity of Equine Leadership and for opening your heart to the possibilities of a ‘soft’ way to lead that offers positive and peaceful leadership for ALL. Most of all, thank you to the horses that have inspired this work, guided my life and shaped my existence. It is my hope that this is the first of many issues that delve into the many facets of leadership that horses can model to help us create change. We have included a survey link at the end of the publication for you to go to and add your thoughts as well as ideas for future issues. What would you like to learn about in regards to equine leadership? In the meantime, enjoy Equine Leadership, don’t hesitate to connect with one of the contributors (all of their contact info is in their bio) and perhaps you hear the call of the horses. Don’t hesitate to answer that call, you will be forever changed!!!

Lynda Watson

February 2016

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Equine Leadership Table of Contents The Science of it All Wendy Golding

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Embracing the Spirit of the Horse Jackie Ladouceur

Bringing Horses into the Boardroom Andre Leclipteux

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You Walk Along with Me Adele Passmore

Contributor Bios

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Horses Healing Trauma Jody Raven

23 "This is a day I will remember with such love and joy. I cried and laughed, overcome by the tenderness of the horses and the humans. What a joyous, cherished and life-enhancing experience for me."

Isabella, Workshop Participant

Equine Leadership Table of Contents Returning the Favour Victoria Sambleson

25 Jessie’s Story: A Youth Perspective Lynda Watson

The Gift of Reflection Teresa McDonald-Thuro

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Iceland is an Equine Photographer’s Dream Steve Joseph Experiencing the Magic of the Horses for Yourself Janis Mirynech

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33 Glossary of Terms EFL – Equine Facilitated Learning FEEL – Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning ® EFP – Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Round Pen – a safe container/enclosure often used for experiential equine activities.

Equine Leadership The Science of It All

By Wendy Golding FEEL (Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning)ÂŽ is a leading-edge modality for developing human potential where the horse is honored as our partner and teacher. In safe and gentle interactions with horses, people gain self-knowledge and acquire skills leading to positive life changes. It has been said that horse-assisted learning can effect change more rapidly.

One of the reasons is that instead of actively seeking to intellectually resolve past issues, new patterns of thoughts, feelings, and somatic experiences are being created and strengthened. Let’s explore how horses can empower people to create powerful, transformative changes in their lives.

What is it about the horse?

Horses are prey animals and this affects how they are built, how they learn, how they respond to their environment, how they protect and defend themselves, and how they socialize. What does it mean to be a prey animal? Prey means they are hunted by predators. Horses have ensured their species survival through highly sensitive observational skills and intuitive responses to their environment. Unlike humans who rely mainly on intellect, horses access the wisdom of their entire bodies, allowing them to read and respond to all the energies around them.

The horses are experts in communication allowing people to learn how to communicate effectively with others within safe boundaries. Psychologists have determined that less than 10 percent of our communication is verbal. (1) As such, horses help people understand their nonverbal cues, unconscious behaviour patterns, and the emotional import and intent of their words and actions.

We are always communicating. Everything we think, feel, do and say sends out a message.

Horses help us become aware of how we communicate on every level – verbally, mentally, physically and emotionally. They attune to the person and pay attention to their emotional state and body language. Horses actually listen to us at a much different and profound level. This resonance is a palpable sense of connection.

Emotions as a Language Emotions are a vital connecting link between our body, mind, and spirit. They are fluid and carry large amounts of energy functioning as a tangible energetic force like a sound or smell that travels through the air. Our emotions are invisible, powerful, and full of information.

You can walk into a room and feel a palpable sense of anger without anyone saying a word.

Our culture has often denied or minimized the importance of emotions as a sense, and in fact has encouraged the suppression of so-called negative emotions. By reclaiming our emotions, we learn that emotions are neither positive nor negative, and that all emotions are equal in their ability to give us information about where we are in our lives, and what things need to be changed in order to bring us back into balance.

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To the horses, emotion is simply information, emotions are not good or bad. They feel an emotion, it moves through them, and then they “go back to grazing�. There is not a lot of emotional residue, as unlike humans, who tend to go into emotionality, horses do not repress emotions, or behave differently then how they feel.

Many of us are taught to fear our feelings however this only blocks our self-knowledge and truth. Our fears will recede if we allow our emotions to protect and inform us at a conscious level. FEEL Practitioners work with a tool called the Emotional Message Chart created by Linda Kohanov based on the work of Karla McLaren. It teaches the language of emotions: the ability to use emotion as information, get the message behind the emotion, adjust behaviour, relationship or environment, let the emotion go and return to balance.

Becoming more emotionally intelligent and agile, we become more like horses, able to read emotions as information and respond accordingly, not at the effect of our emotions and going into emotionality.

Harmonizing Our Three Brains The neuro-scientists have finally done it! They have demonstrated that we have in fact three brains: the brain in our head, the brain in our heart, and the brain in our gut.

When you stand beside a horse, look into his eye, connect with your heart, and stroke their velvety muzzle, your heart opens, a feeling of pure love pools in your chest, and the tactile sense from your fingers allows you to feel sensations of softness. From here the feelings and sensations travel to your mind. In your mind the experience gets changed into words and then you can think about it in words. The mind only recycles the energy that comes from the feelings and sensations you experienced. The mind thinks, it does not know. You can only know through feeling or doing, not from thinking.

According to Gabriella Kortsch an extensive number of neurons in the heart and gut behave in a fashion similar to the neurons contained in the brain, and appeared to function at mega speeds, often much greater than those of our cerebral neurons. And it’s also proven that the brains in our heart and gut are far more powerful than the one in our head.

Research shows that the gut brain has learning and decision-making abilities, and can function independently from the head brain - the gut is much more than just a digestive system. Have you ever had that feeling in your gut that something is just not right? This is the place of your intuition and a focal point for courage and bravery.

Dr. Andrew Armour first introduced the concept of a functional heart brain in the 1990s.

Studies also show that the heart can act independently of the brain and that the rhythm found in the heart brain is capable of changing how effectively the thinking brain functions.

The Heart Math Solution, co-authored by Doc Childre and H. Martin, contributes to the newly emerging view of the heart as a complex, self-organized system that maintains a continuous two-way dialogue between the brain and the rest of the body.

Horses have much larger sensitive guts and expanded heart fields, thus having much larger surface areas for receiving and responding to information. Their neo-cortex, the part of the brain responsible for learning and higher thought, is not as developed. Thus, horses are more likely to emphasize emotion over reason. Instead of accessing logic from their mind brain, they embody mindfulness and empathy.

Mindfulness is the practice of self-observation without judgment while paying attention in the present moment. Horses invite humans to step into this state of mindfulness– one of deeper awareness, enhanced perspectives and richer creativity.

More than anything else, the horses teach us to be in the moment and learn to access our heart and gut brains.

When you have a direct experience it does not go directly to the brain in your head. The first place it goes is to the neurological network of the intestinal track and the heart.

Having “felt” experiences allow you to start trusting your heart and instincts.

According to Kathleen Barry Ingram (2), the work with the horses allows a client to thrive instead of just surviving. While the neocortical brain can rapidly process information, without the whole body, the brain in the heart and the gut; only the minds’ thoughts and information change. The horses help you fully engage with the whole of who you are and create lasting results creating new neural pathways.

The horses create the space and experience for us as humans to increase our consciousness by harmonizing our three brains so they work together as a team leading to a harmonious and balanced life.

Deep Heart Connections Horses teach us to ‘listen’ from our heart where we hear and resonate with the truth of something. Just being in the presence of a horse creates magic; people have expressed so many different emotions-some they have never spoken to another living soul; healing tears start to flow down the cheeks not only of women but men; people get in touch with their dreams again; they feel a bond with this incredible creature that has no description.

On more practical terms the heart is much more than a muscular pump, it is a highly evolved organ of perception and communication. Heart neurons are directly connected to the brain producing a direct exchange of information. The heart also has its own memory which affects our consciousness and behavior, how we perceive the world.

The Heart Math Institute (3) has conducted ongoing research into the energy emanating and being received by the human heart which affects our moods, attitudes and feelingswhether we are conscious of it or not. The heart is the most powerful generator of electromagnetic energy in the human body. This constantly changing energy is flowing from our bodies and being received by those around us (both humans and animals). The rhythmic beating patterns of the heart change significantly as we experience different emotions. Uncomfortable emotions are associated with erratic incoherent patterns. In contrast positive emotions are associated with the smooth coherent pattern which then creates corresponding changes in the structure of the electromagnetic field radiated by the heart. During a period of sustained positive emotions, a state of coherence reduces our internal mental dialogue, reduces stress and increases our emotional balance and intuition.

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The hearts’ electromagnetic field becomes more coherent as consciousness shifts from the brain to the heart. This coherence significantly contributes to the informational exchange that occurs during contact between different fields. The more coherent the field, the more potent the informational exchange. A coherent heart affects the brain wave pattern not only of the person achieving coherence, but also of any person with whom it comes into contact.

The two fields begin to entrain or resonate with each other opening a gateway of healing and empathy.

The Heart’s Electromagnetic Field

The Heart Math Institute has also performed research with humans and horses. They found that the electromagnetic field of the horse is five times stronger than that of a human’s and the heart rate of a horse is three times slower. The horse naturally lives in a state of heart coherence and just being near a horse we, as humans, can resonate with this deep energy.

If we attain that place of heart resonance with a horse our bodies go into an alpha state similar to meditation.

In FEEL activities, people are encouraged to experience this incredible heart connection between a horse and themselves. By some, it is experienced as ‘feeling felt’, pure love, compassion, peace, connection to something more, the mystery of life, or a sharing of soul essence.

Touch your inner self, your soul, through the Wisdom of the Horse.

Footnotes 1. Psychologist Albert Mehrabian, Institute of Judicial Studies Handout 1, Albert Mehrabian 2. Kathleen Barry Ingram, the work with the horses…, Article Implicit Knowing versus Explicit Knowledge And Equine Facilitated Learning, 5.

3. The Heart Math Institute, www.heartmath.org This article is an excerpt from the chapter ‘Where the Magic Begins’ by Wendy Golding published in ‘Healing with Horses’.

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Equine Leadership Embracing the Spirit of the Horse

By Jackie Ladouceur “There is a perception of ourselves that we offer for others and beneath this lies the truth and the essence of who we are and what we are most willing to allow others to see.

If we can seek to reveal what truly lies within our hearts, we will easily offer the purest and rawest nature of who we are and where we are meant to be.”

Jackie Ladouceur

We move through life being shaped by our experiences and we are taught to believe certain things about ourselves in relationship to how we show up in the world and through this process we are often at risk of losing the connection to the core essence of who we are…to the nature of our Spirit. As we move into adulthood our lives begin to change, sometimes in unforeseeable ways, and we carry larger responsibilities and pressures that prevent us from recognizing the barriers we create for ourselves in seeing a clearer and more authentic path forward.

I believe that as children we were clearer than ever about who we were and we were so attuned to the nature of our core essence that we knew how to innately live from a heart centered and intuitive way of being. Our curiosity and wonder floated freely through our imaginations and we were so engaged in the magic and mysteries of life that we knew how to dream and could foresee the path towards fulfilling those dreams.

As a young girl being raised in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Montana, home to wild horses of the west, I was blessed with the opportunity to truly embrace the wild and majestic Spirit of the horse. There was just something uncanny about the Spirit of the horse that resembled my deepest desires to seek and attune to the freedom, beauty and authentic essence of my own Human Spirit.

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There is something very profound and magical about the Spirit of the horse that calls us back towards the authentic path of the heart. The sheer power of their bodies, the magnificence of their beauty, the freedom and gracefulness in their movement and strength in their presence reflects for us what we so innately desire to seek within ourselves. There is a deep sense of freedom and personal power in understanding ourselves to the level that horses can take us to. Their wisdom and teachings truly carry us back on a journey to the resilience and brilliance of the human heart, the place that I believe holds the true nature and essence of who we are.

How we carry ourselves, how we walk our path and the way in which we physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually show up in the world, is reflected through how we show up in relationship to the horse. Their ability to attune to us at this level is a gift that allows us to shine light on the darker areas of our awareness so that we can bring life to that which we most need to learn or heal. When we learn to embody the Spirit of the horse, we learn to trust that what our hearts most want and need us to know is our authentic truth. This is the truth that guides up back to the core essence of who we are and towards the path of living life with greater purpose, passion and joy. “Somewhere beneath our older and wiser self, awaits the opportunity to once again meet the innocence and purity of our dreamer and child-like self.�

When we are in the presence of a horse we naturally attune to the stillness and presence that lies within us. This place of inner peace and calm is what allows us to access the core of who we are, our inner being, and the place that offers us the beauty, power and magic of our own existence. It is the place where we acknowledge our pain, heal our wounds and release the weight of the emotional burdens we carry so that we can fully open our hearts to that which we most desire to receive. Acknowledging what wants to be revealed from a place of self-love and compassion is the first step on the journey home to the heart.

Staying connected to this place of higher knowing, your essential self, through the Spirit of the horse is the path that can lead you there.

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Equine Leadership

Bringing Horses into the Boardroom

By Andre Leclipteux, Director, Horse Spirit Connections Horses have been successfully living in herds for longer than man has been on the planet!

In a herd, each horse has a role to play and each is respected for what they bring to the whole, and so it should be in corporations regardless of size, diversity or multiple locations.

Throughout history the horse has stood by and supported humans in a variety of ways, and now they act as teachers to show us better ways to be authentic with ourselves and others.

Think of the manager that dictates marching orders to staff, expecting everyone to fall into place and proceed to a finish line regardless of individual needs or desires. This would be much like a person on the back of a horse dictating and demanding what the horse should do, where to go, and even what to think. This can also be the manager that walks into a 9 o’clock meeting, late, not present, with a misplaced agenda and barking orders demanding actions from tired and fearful staff. If he/she was to walk into a herd of horses they would scatter, responding to his/her energy as being threatening, self serving, and non congruent.

The horses are always looking for a leader to support and keep them safe. Managers, who are working with horses on the ground, can see how the horses respond when they are in different frames of mind and operating from an open or closed heart. As they change their behaviour, their frame of mind, and personal stance, the horses respond immediately acting as a living biofeedback mechanism. The difference with working with the horses is its non judgmental, trusting, and no invested interest in providing the feedback. There is no “let’s analyze and review this later” as everything happens in the moment and it’s all experiential, meaning it’s up to the individual to see it with their own eyes and feel it in their body. After all, it is their experience and it is about them!

Different horses require different leadership style and good leaders can vary their style of leadership depending on the people or situation that they are facing in the moment.

Managers working with the horses doing simple leading exercises on lead and off lead, or at liberty, can hone their skills as a leader by varying their intent, body posture and approach.

In the most simplistic of views, a group is a number of individuals all working, behaving and acting together towards one goal - meeting quota, producing a widget, finding an answer or the cure - as one body and hopefully one mind and one heart. And there lies the dichotomy and the challenge of every CEO, President, Director, and owner “How do I get all these individuals to be and act as one singular unit, a unified group?” The horses can help.

Teams working with the horses have found ways to support and respect each other while doing simple horse and herd exercises. Imagine an individual taking a horse on a lead rope and walking it from point A to point B. Simple. But if the person is not congruent, or is operating strictly from a mind set, or perhaps is so worried about what others will think and what’s on the agenda tomorrow, then the horse may decide “This isn’t the leader for me, and I ain’t going!” Now imagine a group, maybe your number 1 team, walking up to a horse, no halter, no lead, fully at liberty, and walking it from point A to point B (of their choosing) without talking, touching and certainly no acts of intimidation or bribery. How do you successfully move a 1000 lb animal? The horse in this scenario can represent a coworker, a friend or foe, a competitor or maybe your next new major client. The horse wants to be in a safe herd and is willing to follow if everyone’s on the same page, same frequency and being congruent! The horses can quickly show the team’s strengths and weaknesses.

More importantly they’ll respond to any changes the team makes on the fly until success is reached.

Every team should have a visionary, a leader, a driver and support – sounds like the beginning of a herd! In specially designed team exercises with the horses, individuals can experience the various roles to find their naturalness, their inner strength, and have it witnessed by the team. When we honour each other for what we bring to the team and the project, we open the door to work cohesively, collectively and in unison towards a goal.

Goal setting and/or adherence is another team function where the horses can assist. Too often when teams gather to goal set, it becomes a mental exercise of rationales, projections, objections, and mostly expectations. We humans have become masters at mind justification either for or against anything we can focus our minds upon. Horses don’t really care for that as they live in the moment, from a physical, emotional, and soul space.

The cross over occurs when the team symbolizes their goal and challenges by placing objects as material expressions of the goal and challenges, strategically in the arena, creating an obstacle course. In the same fashion that the team would “walk” an executive through their plan, the team is invited to lead a horse, at liberty, through the obstacle course, their plan, to their goal.

The horses are master readers of energies. I’m convinced they smell doubt, hesitation, and inconsistency. They feel fear, aggression, and manipulation.

They repulse or walk away from false beliefs, too much mental chatter and lies. But they welcome, support, and follow authenticity, honesty, heart felt connection, and consensual leadership. In other words, if the team’s heart and soul is reflected in their actions, the horse will follow with ease, and provide valuable insights to attain the team’s goal. Or the team may struggle persuading and leading the horse through the maze and the horse, true to his/her nature, will still provide valuable insights and reflections to help the team strengthen itself and its actions. Either way, it’s a win for the team - an affirmation that they’ve got it right or a helping hand to make it better.

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I’ve been fortunate to facilitate and participate with corporate clients whether individuals, teams or groups that came to Horse Spirit Connections to work with our horses. They typically arrive with an air of curiosity and depart with a renewed sense of who they are (individualy and/or as a team) and a glitter in their eye that lets us know that the horses have done their magic. All the work is done on the ground and supports self-discovery through experiential learning. The horses impact individual body knowing, so at the end of the day that individual walks away with a deep felt feeling of what is possible and how to fully engage with self and others, including how best to participate, support and strengthen his/her herd.

”Being a leader doesn’t only mean what you do but how you do it. Different people should be approached different ways when leading them. Confidence is key when being a leader. If you don’t’ believe you can do it, no one else will either!”

L.G., BMO

“This workshop has helped me step into myself. The guidance and wisdom of the horses directs you to the truth. When the truth is faced, you can see more clearly. Learning directly from the horses is a lesson that lasts.”

S M, Self-employed

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Equine Leadership You Walk Along With Me

By Adele Racine Passmore – Heart Medicine Woman “It is virtually impossible to understand horses from a Native American perspective without first understanding how Natives view their relationship to all animals and all of creation.” Gawani Pony Boy

A belief that we are “all related”, “all connected” and that life is a “Sacred Circle” are viewpoints from which I’ve come once again to walk in this world. My journey to remembering who I am today has been a long walk with many steps.

Some, on the softest grass imaginable and some in wet and sticky muck, the kind that pull off your boots leaving you trying to stay balanced. It is with sincere intent that I work with the teachings from nature, humans and horses alike and embody this with heart and compassion when supporting my fellow humans and working with EFL (Equine Facilitated Learning).

For me healing means looking at my life experiences with compassionate lenses that honored and embraced my life and the lives of my Metis ancestors. With reflection, acceptance, forgiveness of the good, the bad and the ugly. The responsibility I play in cocreating my life. This process was solidified in ways I never imagined when I made my drum in 2002. My drum led me back to remembering the healing I received as a child and young adult when in the presence of horses. Once again they have guided me home to the love that lives in my heart. My Spirit is alive as I share my personal medicine, that of the drum and the horses.

In that time, I have come to know where I come from physically and as a Spirit, through the wisdom of the horses, drums and nature. Hearing stories of the ways in which the First People of Turtle Island interacted from a place of heart with this “big-dog” spoke directly to what I had experienced in their presence.

By respecting the wisdom of all of Creation, the Earth Mother, Sun, Moon, Sky, the clouds, plants & animal families, seasons and cycles we can receive guidance that prompts insightfulness and remembering of the wisdom we carry. One of the most important symbols is the circle and it is represented throughout Creation as most things in nature try to resemble a circle. A beautiful shape that is unending with no beginning and only one center that we are all part of.

As beings of the Earth we can once again tune into Great Mystery’s subtle energies by becoming more aware of our surroundings and mindful of the flow of our thoughts and emotions. Connecting deeply with nature there is opportunity to review what insight is being offered in unique ways from a world unseen by most, mysterious for many and the memory alive within each of us.

Horses changed life for the First People by offering the gift of time for exploring Great Mystery, through their spirituality, creativity through art, drumming, ceremony and song. They were seen to represent power, travel and freedom. Journeys took less time and were made easier by these striking majestic beings.

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Warriors developed the most incredible relationship with their horses, one not based on words but on leadership, intention and desire. Both the trust in Nature and that of humankind were needed to be present from moment to moment in times of attack or that of hunting but was not the same thing. I have learned that words such as trust, faith, belief, integrity and promise were not part of language for it just was part of the way. The horse and rider were one with each other and all of creation.

In Nature horses live in herds and work together for survival as prey animals. When you are provided with the opportunity, take the time to observe their interactions and nonverbal communication. Witness them going with the flow, so to speak, when it comes to experiencing emotion as individuals and as a herd. Allowing feelings of joy, fear, grief, anger, exhilaration, to name a few, to be experienced simply as information, without judging the feeling as good or bad, just information about their momentary situation. Their focus not on what one of a herd member did yesterday nor on what one of them might do tomorrow. Moment to moment, breath to breath they live in the now and can teach us to do the same.

Being in Circle with the horse as teacher, as in the round pen, is to be in connection with a fellow inhabitant of the Earth. They are a powerful animal and can be intimidating just as some of life’s challenges can be. When mutual respect of boundaries is achieved and you become authentically present you will be carried to a place your heart recognizes and longs to know, home.

For me, where a horse stands in the round pen, how it and the client move as individuals and partners, what is said and not said has relevance and can stimulate further discoveries and experienced learning. This information can encourage clients to become open to trusting the wisdom of their heart space and the guidance being offered by the horse and their surroundings. Connecting and opening all the senses to the energies being presented when with the horse in that instance is essential. Respecting with reverence, acknowledging through gratitude that we do not walk alone and that there are inherent dependencies when sharing life on the back of our Great Mother.

Most Native American legends and stories place importance on what all things can teach us, animals and horses in particular, can communicate and teach us. They are teachers of what has been known and practiced by the Shaman and Medicine people for thousands of years. Those things that are felt by the heart without touching the air as words. The feeling on the skin of goosebumps, a tingling scalp or tugging at your core. I have seen those who viewed animal-human communication as impossible and nonsensical, experience a moment of deep and profound interspecies connection.

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If we envision ourselves as a circle divided into four with each quarter representing a space for our mind, body, spirit and heart to reside then when in balance we roll along smoothly.

One area in neglect results in a bumpier ride. When in circle with horse we can gain clarity into what is needed to recover this balance and become clearer on what is needed for our own personal circle in connection to the bigger circle of life.

Horses teach us to be in and learn from our heart space, the place of authenticity. Learning to hear the whispers of our own soul, that of the horses and that of your Creator. Knowing we do not walk alone and that we are part of the sacred circle is key. Knowing that there are countless helpers surrounding us at all time is soul satisfying and enables us to develop insights and relationship with our surroundings and self. Whether Native American, shamanic, or other traditional teachings the horses guide us to a remembering and knowing deep inside of us.

The wisdom of our journey HOME to our hearts as we walk in circle with life.

“Great Mystery before me your beauty for all to see. I am walking with a knowing I walk for thee. Joyfully spreading your medicine with everyone I see. I’m walking with a knowing you walk along with me.”

Adele, Heart Medicine Woman

“The Native vision, the gift of seeing truly, with wonder and delight into the natural world, is informed by a certain attitude of reverence and respect. It is a matter of extrasensory as well as sensory perception. In addition to the eye, it involves the intelligence, the instinct, and the imagination. It is the perception not only of objects and forms but also of essences and ideals.”

N.Scott Momaday, Native American author of Kiowa descent

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Equine Leadership

Contributor Bios Wendy Golding

Wendy Golding is a respected leader in the field of Equine Facilitated Learning, a speaker, author, and President of Horse Spirit Connections Inc., a not for profit corporation dedicated to promoting transformation and personal growth through the wisdom of the horse.

Being passionate about horses all her life, Wendy took up riding again in her thirties and joined the Governor General’s Horse Guards in Toronto, where she participated in the precision riding of military parades. Wendy went on to play the noble sport of polo, experiencing that incredible trust that exists between horse and rider. After a bad fall and serious injury to her neck, Wendy looked for other ways to live her passion. She became a Shamanic Coach and combined this healing modality with the incredible wisdom of horses.

Wendy and her partner Andre started Horse Spirit Connections in 2006 and created FEEL (Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning)® services and programs for people of all ages. They deliver a six month intense FEEL Facilitator Certification training program for practical training and experience in developing FEEL programs where the horse is valued for their role as a teacher.

Wendy invites you to awaken your spirit at www.HorseSpiritConnections.com. Email her at wendy@HorseSpiritConnections.com to learn more about this special connection with horses.

Jody Raven Jody Raven is a Registered Psychotherapist in private practice in Bancroft, Ontario. She has worked with survivors of chronic PTSD for the past 22 years. Jody became a FEEL facilitator 5 years ago through Horse Spirit Connections and practices Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. Jody teaches basic counselling skills to FEEL Facilitators in the FEEL Training Program.

She has offered trauma training to many organizations including; Ministry of Community & Social Services—Victims of Violence Programs, Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene, Elizabeth Fry Simcoe County, York Region Abuse Program, Toronto Western Hospital, Orillia Soldier's Memorial Hospital, Peterborough Aids Resource Network, Peterborough Domestic Abuse Network, and the Institute of Addictions Studies.

Jody is a Sensorimotor- trained Psychotherapist, she assisted in the SMP training program in 2009.

Through The Mane Intent programs in Indian River, Ontario, Jody offers workshops to First Responders and former and current Military officers suffering from PTSD. You can find Jody Raven at www.sacredpathcentre.com and ca.linkedin.com/in/jodyraven.

Steve Joseph Horses have been a passion and fascination of mine from a young age. I would sketch them to my heart’s content during any any free time I had, and have been working with them over the yeras the years from riding, volunteering and now as a photographer. I take a fine art approach to Equine photography. The challenge and gratification I get from my work comes from getting a feel for the horse’s energy, capturing the moment and telling a story.

Toronto, ON, Canada based… but I love using my passport for my work! www.stevejoseph.ca

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Equine Leadership

Contributor Bios Jackie Ladouceur

Jackie Ladouceur, a Certified FEEL facilitator, was born with an innate passion for horses and first realized her passion as a young girl being raised in Butte, Montana. After moving to Ontario in her early teens she spent many years learning about horses in the Canadian Pony Club and was an avid competitor on the Hunter and Dressage show circuits.

She continues to be a supporter of Natural Dressage, Liberty and horsemanship methods and is deeply passionate and dedicated to the fields of Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL) and Life Coaching.

In her chosen career fields as a Registered Veterinary Technician and Primary Care Paramedic she is equally passionate about helping and healing both animals and humans. After graduating as a Stress and Wellness Consultant with the Canadian Institute of Stress, Hans Selye Foundation, Jackie went on to study and graduate from Erickson College, Vancouver, B.C. as an Erickson Certified Life Coach.

She is the founder of Fields of Wisdom, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of people through horses, where she currently integrates the FEEL horse work with her life coaching sessions and workshops as well as in her energy work as a Reiki Master. She is grateful to be a founding member of the FEEL Honoring the Horse committee in which she dedicates her time as an advocate for the voice of the horse in the FEEL work as well as a published author in Healing with Horses, Growth and Transformation through the Way of the Horse. For more information on Jackie and Fields of Wisdom, please visit www.fieldsofwisdom.com.

Adele Racine Passmore HEART MEDICINE WOMAN Vision: to bring love and compassion to the hearts of humanity so we can remember why we’re here.

Making her own drum played a significant role in guiding Adele home to her heart, and honouring her Native roots and Metis Heritage. Adele combines aspects from her life experiences and ancestral wisdom to facilitate Drum Making Experiences and drumming circles.

Adele has always had an amazing love and ability to connect with horses and people alike. She knows firsthand the amazing affect that horses can have on a person’s heart. Throughout her life whenever healing was needed, without even understanding the connection, Adele was called back to the horses. The horses guided her wounded spirit towards self-actualization, acceptance and love.

As the creator of “In Circle with Life,” Adele creates a sacred space for those wanting to begin their journey back to their source, that of love, by opening a pathway to self-healing, better health and happiness and a more heart centred and creative life. Adele, connected to spirit, partners with horses and Earth Mother Medicine offering private, group sessions and workshops.

A balanced self is paramount to her agenda to facilitate her clients’ personal journeys towards wholeness and spiritual freedom. Adele is a Registered Natural Health Practitioner, Wellness and Life Co-Coach, FEEL Facilitator, trained as both Thai Massage Practitioner and Yoga Exercise Specialist.

Connect with Adele through: www.incirclewithlife.ca or adele@incirclewithlife.ca

Equine Leadership

Contributor Bios Victoria Sambleson

For as long as she can remember, Victoria has had a love of horses.

After sitting on a horse at a birthday party when she was 8, her Grandparents had to abandon their dream of her being a Ballerina and buy her a pair of riding boots. She started riding at the age of 10 and always had horses in her thoughts and dreams.

After achieving a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Western Ontario, she spent 10 years working in the corporate environment as a Project Manager.

Although Victoria was fulfilled in her corporate career, she felt a strong pull towards change. In 2002 Victoria left the corporate world to become a Registered Massage Therapist and began her own very successful private practice. As well as teaching massage at Sutherland-Chan Massage School, she also teaches continuing education workshops for RMTs all over the world.

Victoria had discovered a new career she loved, however, along with running and managing her own business, the emotional and physical challenges of her patients at times became overwhelming. As a result, Victoria sought the help of her childhood friends... horses. She reconnected with these wonderful beings and found a new way to restore balance in her life. This began a wonderful journey of self-discovery, personal growth and Well-Being.

In 2015, Victoria became a certified Facilitator of Equine Experiential Learning. Her goal is to evolve this powerful relationship between horses and humans and honour the wisdom of the Horse.

Victoria can be contacted through www.connectingwithhorses.ca

Teresa McDonald-Thuro After graduating from Carleton University with a Bachelor Honours Degree in Journalism and English, Teresa has worked in the philanthropic sector for over a decade, focusing on communication, stewardship and event planning. She is also a dance facilitator who embraces body wisdom, nurtures self-expression and creates community. Teresa is a Nia Green Belt instructor, offering weekly classes at the Georgina Healing Arts Centre, and a Dance Our Way Home™ certified facilitator. She attended Dancing for Birth™ Level 1 and 2 training in November 2015 and is currently completing her certification. She considers the opportunity to share dance and hold space for others a sacred gift. Teresa lives with her husband and son in Keswick, Ontario. Contact: niawithteresa@gmail.com or 647-248-2805.

Lynda Watson Lynda Watson is a community builder, professional facilitator and youth engagement specialist. She runs her own EFL business, HorseTouch, whose mission it is to build life skills, reduce stress and create space for healing through the touch and reflection of the horse. Lynda is certified in the the field of Equine Facilitated Learning and brings unique learning methods to her co-creative work with horses. She is also runs 2 organizations that bring the values and skills learned from the horses to the classroom and the boardroom. With these 2 organizations, Dreamation (youth) and Collaborative Evolution (corporate/organization), Lynda enjoys sharing the wisdom of the horse with a wide audience and partnering with HorseTouch to enhance the skills and values taught outside of the farm during equine workshops.

Lynda has enjoyed many fabulous adventures on her journey through life so far. These include; being an equestrian coach with her own farm for 20 years, youth coordinator in the humanitarian field, 2014 fellow of the School for Social Entrepreneurs of Ontario, mother, avid traveller and lifelong learner in the field of human potential. She also works as a professional facilitator with positions such as senior facilitator with the Canadian Red Cross and partner facilitator with several EFL farms and professionals. Lynda has a life mission to make positive and peaceful change in the world while inspiring & supporting others to do the same. ‘Equine Leadership’ is another exciting adventure she adds to her list. www.horsetouch.ca www.dreamation.ca www.collaborativeevolution.ca

Equine Leadership

Contributor Bios

Janis Mirynech Janis Mirynech is a certified Advanced FEEL Practitioner and a director of Horse Spirit Connections, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping horses and humans heal. She is one of the FEEL Training facilitators and loves seeing the tremendous growth and transformations that occur during the program. She also co-facilitates workshops both at Horse Spirit Connections and at other farms. As a member of the FEEL Alumni, Janis belongs to a group that is dedicated to promoting how this work heals not only humans but horses as well.

Janis has a tremendous love and appreciation for all that nature has to offer. As a student of shamanism for many years, she sees the interconnectedness of all living things and has experienced the powerful healing medicine of the horse in ceremonies and vision quests.

In her professional career, Janis was a marketing manager with some of Canada’s largest wineries.

Today she brings those skills to the consulting she does both with Horse Spirit Connections and other FEEL practitioners developing their businesses. She devotes her time to the FEEL work, shamanic studies, consulting, yoga and jewellery design.

It is through her work and experiences with the horses that Janis believes she has come to be comfortable in her own skin, open to the ever-changing opportunities that cross her path. Life has truly become an adventure worth sharing! For more information, or just to chat, Janis can be reached by email at: sunstone@bell.net.

Andre Leclipteux Andre Leclipteux is a facilitator and director at Horse Spirit Connections.

A graduate of the Epona Partners Program, he works with horses on the ground helping others achieve self-empowerment and emotional growth.

A graduate of Sheridan College, his first endeavors were in film, audio visual projects and photography. This led him into advertising, marketing and promotions. Andre has been involved with the communications field for o over 25 years in various capacities, working in small and large agencies while servicing local, regional and national clients. His portfolio covers the gamut of Federal and Provincial Government to Canadian and International brands like Dr Pepper, Xerox, Microsoft and Lotus.

Andre has always had business and entrepreneurial flair – he left the agency business in 1986 to start his own consulting business - which gave him experience on the client side. In 1994, he started Wings & Ink, which grew steadily into a multimillion-dollar corporation with clients on both sides of the border, and received national and international recognition for its creative work. After the successful sale of Wings & Ink in 2010, Andre now devotes his time to the growth of Horse Spirit Connections.

Andre has a passion for horses, sound business acumen, and a desire to see people heal and lead heart-filled lives.

Andre can be contacted at: andre@HorseSpiritConnections.com

February 2016

www.HorseSpiritConnections.com

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Equine Leadership

Horses Healing Trauma

By Jody Raven

Horses, like humans, have endured a great deal of trauma. Their long association with us (about 5,500 years according to the latest research) and the fact that they are a symbol of feminine power, have made them prey to similar patterns of domination and control at the hands of humans that women have experienced.

When horses are treated with respect and given the time and space to return to their naturalness, they heal very quickly compared to us. This is likely because they do not have to contend with all the problems a mind-obsessed species manufacture. Horses who choose to work with people for their own healing, are powerful teachers for the human community.

When we collaborate with them as equine facilitators who can bridge communication, it is a dynamic team for healing the wounds of trauma, in people and horses.

Diamond, a chestnut mare came to the herd with lots of trauma in her history. Based on her strong, aggressive response to being tied or penned we realized that she had likely been very abused. After 2-3 years of letting Diamond have her life back with no expectations and gentle connections, she decided to work with us as a teaching horse. We were happy for her to be free and with no expectations from us, she chose for herself.

Horses are sensitive, intelligent, extraordinary beings whose prey nature gives them an edge in respect to discerning danger and threats. Trauma survivors often suffer from a miswiring that occurs during repetitive traumatic experiences. Survivors develop a conditioning that makes them attracted to danger and they often have difficulties discerning safety.

Horses naturally help survivors re-wire their broken defense responses.

Sherry, an EFP client, felt naturally drawn to the horses for healing, but each time she approached them her arousal level became so high she would dissociate. Over a period of many sessions of inviting Sherry to approach and retreat as was needed for her whole being to feel “safe,” she began to encode a feeling of “safety,” something she had never experienced before. The horses showed her how to manage her heighted arousal and dissociation, and patiently invited her to connect on her own terms.

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Horses are sensitive to emotions and can show what we are hiding from ourselves. If the trauma occurs within the family system, which it often does, survivors learn to hide their true feelings. Healing can be complicated, uncovering years of buried feelings and often complex relationships can mean therapy is a long-term prospect. Horses are especially good at inviting survivors to experience that which has been disavowed and because they have no judgements, it is easier for people to disclose to horses.

Trauma survivors learn to habitually leave their bodies. When our person, in whatever form, has been repeatedly violated, we learn to leave. Horses are naturally oriented to their bodies because of their size as well as the fact that they don’t live in their heads. They are natural teachers of presence, mindfulness and a gentle and beautiful return to the body; which is an important healing for survivors whose bodies are often a battle ground.

The tendency to dissociate (a common trauma response) can slowly be noticed and repaired as the horses show trauma survivors how to respond to the environment in ways that do not have to keep them in hyper-awareness. When danger has passed, they return to grazing and do not have to spend the rest of their lives waiting for the next bad thing to happen.

Many symptoms of trauma are difficult, if not impossible, to heal in talk therapy because they are being experienced in our whole system. Horses help us access our emotional, physical and spiritual selves which are often left out of conventional therapies and treatments for trauma. They are natural trauma therapists and their own healing is an integral part of what they offer us. They guide survivors back to lives of presence, healing, awareness, safety and joy.

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Equine Leadership Returning the Favour

By Victoria Sambleson, RMT/FEEL In November 2015, Connecting with Horses held the inaugural Equine Experiential Learning workshop for Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) The workshop, “Being Heard: Improving your communication skills with the help of horses” was a brilliant success and there are three more scheduled for 2016.

When one thinks of horses and Massage Therapists working together, it typically brings to mind people helping horses feel better. But what if we looked at the relationship in another way? What if it was the horses helping the Massage Therapists? What could horses do to help these people who spend their days trying to make people feel better? Perhaps horses could return the favour.

Indeed horses can help. They can teach RMTs to be better communicators and to improve their “bedside manner”. Bedside manner is defined in the urban dictionary as “the way a [Healthcare Professional] interacts and communicates with patients.” (1) Someone who is considered accomplished at bedside manner is professional and knowledgeable, but is also humane, compassionate, empathetic and supportive. (2) While professionalism and knowledge are often communicated to patients verbally, humanity, compassion, empathy and supportiveness tend to be primarily communicated non-verbally. In the workshop, this is where the horses came into the equation.

Horses are masters at non-verbal communication. As prey animals, horses must primarily communicate with the other members of their herd silently so as not to alert nearby predators to their location. Humans communicate non-verbally with each other as well, however they don’t often pay much attention to it, relying on their voice to communicate their intention. All Healthcare Professionals can become better communicators by recognizing the non-verbal cues that happen between them and their patients.

Through a number of different one-on-one exercises, Therapists interacted with the horses with the intention of receiving accurate, in-the-moment reflections of their own non-verbal signals. Also, through evaluating the horses’ responses to their own behaviours, the Therapists were able to improve their ability to interpret non-verbal communication cues coming from the horse. These valuable experiences can easily be translated into their practice by helping them to be, not only aware of their own non- verbal signals, but the signals of their patients as well.

The help from the horses did not end there. The Therapists had more to learn.

One of the biggest challenges that the horses brought forth was boundaries. It is often the case that RMTs enter the profession because they want to help people, to “fix” them so to speak. They want their patients to not only like them personally, but to like their treatments. This can create some unhealthy boundaries. A couple of examples of these unhealthy boundaries are patients who try to control and direct their own treatments, thinking they know best. Or disrespecting the Therapist by not showing up for an

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appointment or cancelling with little or no notice. And on the side of the Therapists, getting too invested in the outcome of their treatments. A lot of RMTs allow all of these behaviours to continue for fear of being judged or for losing business.

The horses sensed these lack of boundaries immediately with most of the individuals and really challenged them to improve their skills at setting them consistently. Horses need boundaries. Boundaries make the horses feel safe and secure with whomever they are interacting with, weather it is another horse or with a human. The same is true for humans, however, they often get caught up in not wanting to offend a person or losing a friendship.

In the workshop, the RMTs quickly discovered that in setting boundaries with the horses, the horse respected them as soon as the boundary was set. In making the correlation to their practices, it was easy for them to see that people also feel the same way when a boundary is set.

After the workshop, participants revealed that setting boundaries with their patients was much easier to do after having interacted with the horses. Also, that all boundary setting with their patients yielded what was perceived as instant respect and reduction/ elimination of the original behaviour.

Initial feedback from the inaugural group of RMTs was extremely positive. Each participant expressed amazement at how much the horses taught them over the two-day course. By helping the Therapists gain insight into their ways of interacting so they could better manage their personal and professional lives helping others, the horses were successful in returning the favour.

Along with boundaries and non-verbal communication, they learned about personal space and how their energy affects others. As well, a powerful exercise involving working together as a team, brought new insights into how they interact in their own Healthcare practice environments. Look for my next article to fill you in on all those wonderful insights.

1 Urban dictionary http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bedside+Manner 2 Physician behaviour and bedside manners: the influence of William Osler and The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine by Barry D. Silverman, MD http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3246857/

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Equine Leadership

Jessie’s Story, A Youth Perspective

By Lynda Watson

I have had the great fortune to work with the horse-youth dynamic for a number of years and have seen the lessons a youth can gain from spending time in their presence. Not just the technicalities but the life lessons that will assist them in navigating the teen years with self awareness, critical thinking and relationship smarts. Leading them to being able to live authentic, heart-based lives in their teen years and on into adulthood.

Let me start with our story. Jessie’s story: This young lady was a participant in a workshop that involved a group of teens that had just come together as a team. They were to be heading overseas on an international volunteer trip together. They didn’t know each other well and our aim over the 2 days we worked with them was to grow their relationship and give them tools they could use to support each other and make the most of their time together. Jessie was tasked with an activity of spending time with a horse in a round pen. The intent of the activity for her was to ask the horse to move around the pen, first one way then the other. No force, no coercion just intent and energy and a true heart connection between her and the horse. Well, when Jessie entered the ring (the horse was already in there) and positioned herself at the centre of the ring (the safest place to be) the horse began moving briskly around the outside of the pen. Before Jessie even asked her too. Jessie was bewildered and anxious and the horse mirrored those exact emotions. What to do? Well, a short quiet conversation with Jessie had her starting to focus on her breath. Slow it down, focus on herself and what her body was saying. The moment and I mean the moment she did that the horse stopped, walked over to her and laid her soft nose on Jessie’s heart. It was a beautiful moment in time and Jessie knew in that short bit that she had learned a huge lesson. In her debrief Jessie summed up her ‘nugget’ of learning with this short statement. “I never knew how much my energy affected other people.” Right then we knew that Jessie had learned an integral life lesson and was going to be a great team player on their trip.

Teens are so often looking for a safe place free of judgement where they can speak their truth and be genuinely heard. Interacting with horses and experiencing the wisdom that ensues during Equine Facilitated Learning provides that safe space. They can experiment with life in the moment and look into a mirror that will reflect their emotions, thoughts, and actions in a non-judgmental and authentic way. They can have a quick non-verbal conversation with a horse and come out of an activity with lifelong lessons that they can apply to their everyday relationships. With their peers, their parents, and so on but most importantly with themselves.

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Washington State University recently conducted a research study concerning the levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in youth and how it was influenced when they interacted with a horse. (https://news.wsu.edu/2014/04/24/horsing-around-reduces-stress-hormones-inyouth/) The research found that: ‘children who had participated in the 12-week program had significantly lower stress hormone levels’ than those that did not participate. This is exciting research that is showing us just how powerful working with horses can be for youth.

Spending time with horses has also shown to lower heart and breath rate as well as generally calm a participant simply by being beside them. When a youth becomes aware of what is going on in their body they are able to self regulate and manage their own thoughts and emotions. Their reactions to the world around them.

A common activity that we have the youth participate in is an obstacle course. (Not the kind you did in elementary school). A ‘simple’ exercise that has the youth decide on a goal and 2 obstacles that might prevent them from achieving that goal. The obstacles and goals can be represented by something as simple as a ball or a pole on the ground. The fun part comes when they head out with a horse to lead it over or around the obstacles and onwards to the goal. Now a horse is like a giant biofeedback machine. If one gets to a goal and there is a change in their physiology the horse is going to react to that. Here comes the critical thinking. If a horse stops at an obstacle and refuses to move the first reaction might be to ‘blame’ the horse. Why aren’t they listening? The horse is having a natural reaction to a change in the participant’s body. It might be a very subtle change but it is a change that the ever vigilant horse takes into serious consideration for their safety. So what is a youth to do in this situation? Instead of laying blame or looking to another to rest the outcome on they are asked to look inside. What am I doing in this situation and how can I make a change? They look within their body, make a change; that could be grounding themselves or as Jessie did, slowing the breath. It is up to them to look within and find where a change might need to be made, make that change and then hopefully move on towards their goals. Now that is a skill that can be applied to many different situations in a young person’s life.

We often, as adults, spend the time and dollars on personal growth workshops and courses.

Imagine what the next generation will be like if we take time and resources for their personal growth. Youth co-creating an environment that build their skills to navigate this world we call home and live authentic, heart based lives. EFL workshops and programs for youth, whether teambuilding, working with mental health issues, trauma or personal growth, are proving to be integral in creating a world where youth can find their voice, speak their truth, and in the words of a recent youth participant: ‘be authentic and support others with all of your heart.’

“I learned that horses are like the mirror which humans can reflect in.

They are listening creatures.”

Vision YOU youth workshop participant

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Equine Leadership The Gift of Reflection

By Teresa McDonald-Thuro I met a beautiful chestnut-coloured horse named Angelina in 2011 at my first Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL) session. I have been captivated by horses since childhood, but to actually be in her presence, to stand so close and be so vulnerable was a deeply moving experience. I connected with Angelina instantly. Something in her soft brown eyes drew me in. I now know it was my intuition that attracted me to her and it was no accident.

When I came to my FEEL session I was still grieving three miscarriages. I felt heartbroken, frustrated, depressed. I needed healing emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. Aware of my fertility struggles, when I met the herd my facilitator asked me to sense which horse was a mother.

My heart said Angelina.

When I read her biography, I learned she had aborted her foal and had no living offspring. In that moment, as the tears streamed down my face, I knew I was meant to work with her.

We started with reflective grooming in her stall. We stood in silence. The act of brushing her hair and mane became meditative. With every stroke I showered her with love, kindness and forgiveness. When we moved into the round pen it became clear Angelina had something to tell me. She moved from the centre of the ring and stood facing the East. She didn’t move from the spot. Making sure I got the message, she began biting the yellow cloth marking the direction. She was insistent on showing me the lessons of the East: new beginnings, children, fire medicine and awareness.

By intuitively seeing the mother in Angelina’s eyes, I saw the mother in myself. All the love and kindness I showered on her, she reflected back to me. The words of forgiveness I needed to hear so desperately suddenly flowed and I honoured myself and the three souls I carried but did not birth. When I got home, I wrote this poem:

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Two Mothers Two mothers - one horse, one human.

United in grief for the souls they carried but never saw.

Their eyes reflect a sadness containing who they were before and after their babies were lost.

She tells her ‘it’s not your fault’.

She grieves for her, she feels her heart.

Let it go, let the fear go, she says.

She wraps her in tenderness.

They stand in stillness together.

In the shadow of others who say she doesn’t deserve the title, she tells her to own it, to own her truth.

They know their truth; they feel it in their bones, in their hearts, in their souls.

They are the mothers of sky babies, whose eyes sparkle in the stars, whose sweet breath dances on the wind, whose heart energy shines in the warmth of the sun, whose tears wash over them in raindrops, whose joy is found in rainbows, whose strength grows with the trees, whose night-time prayers are written on moonbeams.

They are mothers And together they heal each other.

My time with Angelina helped me release so much pain. It allowed me to reshape my experience and to begin healing my heart. It opened to me to receive my greatest gift.

My beautiful son was conceived 6 months later and was born in 2012. We chose Philip as his middle name, following the tradition in my husband’s family, but unaware of its meaning.

When I researched names I discovered that Philip is a Greek name meaning lover of horses, while Angelina is a Greek name meaning messenger. I consider this the synchronicity of the Universe made manifest and an affirmation of the power of horse medicine.

Angelina is a sacred healer and wise messenger for whom I and my family will be forever grateful.

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Equine Leadership

Iceland is a Equine Photographer’s Dream

By Steve Joseph

Heck, it’s any photographer’s dream. One of its attractions to me is that it is a nation that is very proud of its equine culture. It’s quite charming to drive through towns and see people going to the corner store on their horse. But there truly is something magical about the Icelandic horse. With its sturdy build, curious personality and gentle demeanour that is both disarming and captivating.

I found some semi wild herds in Selfoss which allowed me to hang out with them. Near the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon there is a horse farm in the town of Hali that provides accommodation. I would spend the next few days photographing the lagoon, the horses on the farm and the Northern Lights. I could not get over how engaging they were, and there would always be one that would never leave my side.

I travelled to Iceland in March, and “Old Man Winter” was still in full effect. There were blizzards that would be the equivalent to staring at a sheet of blank white paper for over four hours of driving. And then there was almost being blown off the road due to strong winds. I’ve put together a photographer’s survival and gear kit that was very useful on my trip…always be prepared as they say.

Gear Treats (Apples, Carrots, etc…): A little persuasion will go a long way into being well received by the horses.

Canada Goose Langford Parka…trust me on this one.

Cameras: Canon 6D DSLR + Secondary Camera (mine is my old Canon 50D) – Full frame goodness with the wifi and app loaded on my iPhone for remote shooting.

Speedlight and remote trigger/receiver: I did a lot of low light photography and this was great to control the illumination of the subject.

Lenses: Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L- Series + Canon mm F4.5 Lens Tripod: The sturdier the better. This was at times a chew toy with the horses when I was not looking, and I have the teeth marks to prove it.

Duct Tape: Useful tip, if you plan on doing shooting at night. Go to the spot where you will be shooting from. For example, I knew from the previous night where the Northern Lights would be appearing and set up and prefocused during the day, then used tape to keep the lens setting in place.

Grohman Knife (Canadian Navy Issue): In case you get attacked by a bear. (Iceland does not have bears).

Flashlight: No explanation required.

Candle and matches: It will keep you warm out in the field granted that you have a barrier to prevent the wind from blowing out the flame.

Oakley Tactical Gloves: Military Issue, sometimes you have to crack some ice to set up your camera gear. The carbon fibre knuckles came in handy. By the way, if anyone finds a pair of beige ones by the lagoon, they are mine. I seem to have left them there.

Hot Paws (hand warmers): Yes! Iceland Roadside Assistance Smart Phone App: Again, trust me on this one. There are 2 buttons, Green to send your coordinates to the central control station and Red for, “RESCUE ME”. Enough said.

Despite the weather sometimes being a bit overbearing, that is Iceland. The sunny days really did bring out the splendor of the volcanic island. And I will be making it an annual destination from now on.

The final tip for an equine photographer is to be present. Being present, and having a calmness will draw these beautiful animals closer to you. The experience is both therapeutic and nurturing, and you may come out with some great shots!

Have fun and see you in Reykjavik.

Steve

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Equine Leadership Experiencing the Magic of the Horses for Yourself Finding an EFL/EFP Practitioner

By Janis Mirynech

So you’re interested in experiencing the magic of connection with the horses and wondering where to start?

How do you find a good practitioner? How do you know what to look for? Here are some ideas on where to start – the first steps on a powerful journey with the horse.

EFL or EFP? Which is right for you?

The first question to ask yourself is whether you’re looking for Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) or Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP).

EFL supports experiential learning for selfdevelopment and growth with horses as cofacilitators. These facilitated interactions can help you connect more deeply with yourself and bring to light the patterns and behaviors that might be holding you back from living fully. In the moment, with a horse, you can feel new ways of being unfold – new possibilities for living more authentically.

EFP supports experiential psychotherapy and can help address a variety of mental health needs. These facilitated interactions with horses can help with addictions, behavior modification and be a means of treatment for psychological disorders. EFP supports most therapeutic approaches and often provides quicker results than traditional ‘talk’ therapy.

Finding the right practitioner Location is the first place to start. For individual or private sessions with a practitioner, you’ll want something closer to home. Many practitioners offer workshops that range from two to five days or more and, for these you may be willing to travel further.

A good place to start is the Internet. A search for either EFL or EFP with your geographic location should result in a short list to explore. A visit to the websites or facebook pages will give you more information about the practitioners, what their training and experience is and what they offer. Many of the key training organizations will have a directory of practitioners on their websites as well.

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Once you narrow the list down, talk to the practitioners to find out more about their philosophy and if it’s a good fit for you. Some practitioners will also specialize in working with youth, addictions, eating disorders or first responders, to name a few.

You’ll want a practitioner who is certified and has a code of standards and ethics that they are required to adhere to. Ask for referrals or to see some of their testimonials. If possible, visit the farm/facility to meet the practitioner and see how you feel in the space. As you journey to growth and healing it’s most important that you feel safe and supported.

More About EFL and EFP Equine facilitated experiences make for a dynamic modality that is gaining greater awareness globally. Because no riding experience is required (most activities are done on the ground), this work can be done with almost any age and physical ability. Ideal for personal development, empowerment and healing, there is much information to be found in books, YouTube videos and articles on the Internet. I invite you to explore the powerful and magical world of the horse-human connection for yourself. It’s a life-changing journey to wholeness.

February 2016

Page 34

Gratitudes to those that have assisted in making Equine Leadership a reality & success: Casey Norris for your contributions to graphics and formatting Photographic Acknowledgements: Steve Joseph Equine Photography The horses at Horse Spirit Connections The horses of Unbridled Experiences The horses at Whisper Ridge Ranch Equine Sanctuary The horses of The New Forest, UK HorseTouch Equine Photos Jackie Ladouceur As well as the horses & humans in each of the articles.

To all of the contributors, my heartfelt thank you!

Lynda Watson

Thank you for reading the premier issue of Equine Leadership.

To build future issues it would be most appreciated if you would take 5 minutes to fill out this survey that helps us know what you wish to read in the future as well as your feedback on this premier issue.

https://lyndajwatson.typeform.com/to/Ao2EM3

Back page: HorseTouch Equine Photos / Location:HorseSpiritConnections

Equine Leadership

“Felt by the heart without touching the air as words.”

Heart Medicine Woman