Was Exhausted. Feeling Rejuvenated!

~A.E.
​Substance Use Disorder Group

Watching Dakota today was beautiful! She connects with "wild ones" like herself.

~K.F.
​Substance Use Disorder Group

I was so honored to be asked to help support and spread the word for this beautiful Non-profit organization Hope Reins Healing Equine Therapy. My experience here is unparalleled and I can’t even begin to describe the healing energies these animals/companions can bring us.

I am so thankful for Aubree and Kelbie for giving us a safe place to connect, process and grow.

~Kai F.

I honestly can’t say enough about this experience with Hope Reins Healing ​Equine Therapy. I knew that working with horses would be cool, but had no idea how life uplifting it would be for me. The energy, the facilitators, the arena, and of course the horses brought me just what I needed at this time in my life… I’ve done a lot of therapeutic work in my life, and the work with the horses helped me to unearth things I wasn’t able to before… helped me to see things more clearly. When I feel discouraged or lost now, I close my eyes and take myself back there to the dirt under my feet, the smell of the horse’s skin, the feel of my hand rubbing their hair, and the breeze that gives me new breath. I am forever grateful for this experience and look forward to more learning in the arena with them.

Teri I.


​
You can trust the promise of this opening…
Last night I stepped into his stall,
he continued to eat as if I weren’t there… 
The new type of halter confused me,
I felt awkward where I was.  
I knew I was on the wrong side,
but with some help I haltered him,
and then led him to the pen… 
Inside I un-haltered him… 
I knew I needed to move him around me in a circle,  
to get him trotting around the pen…
My voice too timid, like the times I held in my words… 
I knew what it was like to be made to run around someone,
and be controlled by their commands… 
Then from the wild freeing of another,
I realized leading him wasn’t controlling,
but guiding to build trust… 
It happened I lead him with my voice and my body,
some stops and restarts like my own life… 
Then change his direction,  
I was breathing heavy,
and as we stopped it seemed as if he lost interest… 
Then he turned to me…
Looking to me…
Connecting to me…
I turned with my back facing him,
and he moved forward til he nudged my back… 
I walked and he followed… 
My confidence wavered leading him…
He felt it too, and stopped… 
I thought the moment was finished,
I accomplished what I needed… 
I stood by the fence processing,
and I felt a shift, his nose was at my back again…
Snuggling his head into me,
I continued to talk and listen as I rubbed his neck or kissed his cheek… 
He stood there holding space for my unraveling,
and my pulling pieces back together… 
He nibbled at my shoulder,
and when an aha happened he would nudge me… 
like yes, that, more of that…
I didn’t want our love moment to end… 
When I haltered him he leaned into it this time.
I led him back to his stall… 

As I took off the halter, Aubree said…
I want you to know he’s the alpha horse,
the alpha of the whole herd… 
Those weren’t his normal behaviors… 
He doesn’t usually nudge like that, or snuggle up like that…
As I moved to the gate to leave he raised his head,
I noticed him turning to watch me…
He’s also still intrigued with our connection.
I walked to my car, maybe a little skip, or gliding,
I felt light and lifted… 
That arena, this beautiful alpha horse,
pushed me to remember an alpha man who controlled me,
stalked me, and sometimes still haunts my dreams… 
This alpha horse came to hold space for my old fears and my pains… 
To help me gain more of my voice back,  
to unearth with his hooves in the dirt, what I thought was buried…
To bring to light another layer to release… 
And to nuzzle and lean into me with love,
while I lean into my light and find what’s been lost of my voice.

9-15-21