2026
Jan 7, 2026
The Herd opened 2026 with some unrest. Kaleb and Pie were unsettled by the presence of a cougar in the lower part of their pasture. They were on high alert the morning of January 1st, and had not eaten their hay from the previous evening. Needless to say, the cougar has moved on, and the pasture mates have since made up for any lost meals! Of course, I looked up the symbolism of ‘cougar’ in Animal Speak. Ted Andrews describes the medicine of the cougar as supporting us to ‘come into our own power’. “The cougar can teach you how to bring out your power and fill your heart with it in a manner that will enable you to take charge of your life.” (p. 260) That sounds like a strong energy to take us into 2026!
spider energy
Jan 14, 2026
While the Herd is having a break from work, counselling sessions are, for the most part, held indoors in my office. Nevertheless, I am thrilled to share that my clients and I still receive support from our non-human friends. This week, a small spider slid down a silk thread, right into the middle of the conversation that was happening! The spider stayed in the conversation for the duration of the session. (Afterwards it was no where to be found!) When this happens, I ask myself what the visiting helper is sharing. What energy is being gifted to us? When I think of spiders, I think of creativity, and how they are often described as the totem of writers. Cara is a fabulous writer, and is scared of spiders! I cannot figure that one out! Another message that spider has for us is the experience of entanglement (like when a fly gets caught in the spider’s web). We all know how complicated human relationships are and we have all found ourselves entangled in a relationship that is not nourishing us. Apparently, spiders create two types of silk thread: one is sticky and one is not. Spiders themselves only walk on the non-sticky threads of their beautiful web creations. That feels like a message about boundaries. A message about honouring your own uniqueness. A message about allowing ourselves to enjoy our own personal creations. Spiders are obviously wise counsellors!
2025
The Equine Connection's Newsletter
How to live soulfully
I am reading The Dreaming Way by Toko-pa Turner. She urges us all to pay attention to both our day dreams, and our night dreams. She believes engaging with our dreams keeps us conneccted to the Imaginal World. And that this connection is essential to living in a soulful, and personally meaningful manner. “Like a poem being recited for our ears only, our dreams contain ancient spells meant to move us into our next becoming.” (p. 14) Similar to the communications from our dreams, during an equine-assisted therapy session, the horses challenge us to engage with the symbols and metaphors that surface inside of us. The horses take us into the Imaginal World by connecting us to our inner knowing, and by the actual exchange with our equine healers. They help us to connect with what our souls want us to know. One equine image can stay with you forever – offering soul food everytime you focus on the memory. I remember one Spring day I was in the tackroom (not making their grain dishes!), and Pie was very purposefully standing on the fenceline right in front of the big tackroom window. She was looking at me in a concentrated manner. Her whole being oozed pride. She was beckoning me to take a good look at her. For a significant amount of time, she stood tall and proud. She was a healthy weight and her coat was shiny. I had just recently removed her Winter coats. It hit me she was showing me how well she had Wintered, despite needing multiple coats to keep her warm (due to the PSSM condition). There was gratitude and love in her gaze. She had not only survived, but also emotionally grown through the cold months. Her message was also a thank you, for clothing her in multiple layers. This exchange was emotional and, for me, about the essential nature of collaboration. For me, this conversation with Pie was about loving connection. For someone else, it could have been all about community. For someone else, it could have been about surviving hardship. The image, the memory, whether it comes from your imagination, or a real life exchange, is speaking to you about what is meaningful to you. “So how do we, living in the context of the all-pervasive rationality of the culture, rekindle our symbolic intelligence? How do we locate ourselves in our mythic unfolding when we’re constantly navigating worldly demands? How do we find orientation and a sense of purpose in a culture that discourages imagination?” (p. 22) One way to answer Toko-pa’s questions is to have experiences with the Herd here at The Equine Connection! Our first offering in 2025 is a week long facilitation training. All our offerings can be found on the website: www.equinecoaching.ca
Spring is coming
The Winter is a time of Rest for the horses and I here at The Equine Connection. As the weeks progress, I can feel my body recuperate and reenergize. It feels highly satisfying, grounding, and I feel respect for my hard working body. The horses have begun to shed their Winter fur. The boys are playful. The girls are relaxed. The whole herd is ready to offer their wisdom in sessions to the two-leggeds. Individual equine-assisted therapy sessions have begun to take place. The horses are happy to support the humans. For anyone wanting to do some deep personal work, in June, we are hosting a weekend of engaging with yourself, and deepening your self-awareness. And, for anyone wanting to learn to facilitate equine-assisted therapy/learning sessions, we are offering a week long training at the end of March. For more information, email Wendy at welrick@shaw.ca Enjoy the gradual transition into Spring!
Healing for the horses
The horses at The Equine Connection receive equine therapy sessions when needed. While a number of healers have supported the horses, the woman who supports the herd consistently, and has for years, is Zabrina Barteaux. The horses offer healing to the people who come to the property, and Zabrina offers healing to the horses. When she sets up for a session, the herd is always ready and receptive. It is not unusual for a particular horse to request a session during one of Zabrina’s night dreams! (They know it is important to assert your own needs!) Zabrina offers the horses massage, acupressure, energy clearing, cranial sacral treatments, chakra balancing, herbal supplements, and more. I remember a session with Vienna. Vienna’s spine was needing adjustment. She stood in the arena, without being tied, while Zabrina worked on her lower vertebrae. As Zabrina massaged, Vienna subtly moved her head and neck back and forth, assisting in her own adjustment! Her eyes were soft, and her focus was on her own body. She was clearly collaborating with her practitioner! Fabulous to witness! The participants who attend the March Facilitation Training, Landor’s Learnings, will spend a whole day learning some of the techniques Zabrina applies in her healing work with the horses. @Phi-Star Holistic Healing To register, email Wendy at welrick@shaw.ca
Celebration of self
Equine-assisted therapy/learning is largely an experiential form of self-development. The learning comes from the process of doing things with the horses. During a session with a children’s group, we were ‘playing circus’, which used to be one of Chunky the miniature’s roles here at The Equine Connection. Before I could collect Chunky, Sunny presented herself. Sunny was a 30 something year old pony, who had a long history of carrying horse girls over fences at horse shows. We indulged Sunny, and when she got to the jump, she stopped! Everyone clapped and cheered! At that moment, it was obvious that that is what she volunteered for – celebration, appreciation, the limelight! Her teaching at that moment was to celebrate our lives, celebrate ourselves!
Resting in the heat
As we settle into a slower pace for the hot months, I reflect on all the teaching and healing the horses provided through the Spring. We facilitated an equine-assisted learning facilitation training, three trauma recovery groups for women, a mini group for four ladies, a nourishing weekend of deepening our connection to the Soul, and all sorts of individual sessions. Zabrina and the Herd facilitated a biodynamic cranial sacral training, as well as a health & wellness for horses training. A treat for the horses, as they receive treatments from the students, as you can see on one of the photos! The horses supported Tina Berlin with three sound baths! A new experience for us. Lots of growth and increased awareness for all who participated. I thank the horses, the Land, Cara, Zabrina, Tina, as well as Katherine and Robin (Our drumming and singing goddesses.). I am also grateful to Kimmie for keeping the property looking ordered and all shiny! Thank you, thank you! It is a great honour to be part of this transformational work. May all those who came and shared their hearts with us continue to delve deeper into their own being, and relish in their new knowing.
Celebrating bandit
Bandit is the last of the original herd who started this journey of equine-assisted therapy with me 20 years ago. He was one of my original teachers. I learned much of what I know from the horses. Bandit came into our lives when he was five years old, and Jessica was eleven years old. They grew up together. That first Summer, they ‘trail rode’ around Vernon (with a teenage cowgirl and her horse!). Bandit loved to run, and so did Jessica – until she would lose control of the steering! They went to Pony Club together in our rusty, old horse trailer. Bandit loved going anywhere in the trailer. He would whinny as soon as he saw the trailer. He particularly loved being fussed about, wearing leg wraps and a blanket. He was born in Lumby at Diane’s place. His mother, Angel, was an Arab, and his father, a Tennessee Walker. He arrived with contracted front legs, so was at first bottle fed. No medical intervention was necessary. He eventually stood up and later was an athlete. It took me a long time to realize that this birth experience impacted his sense of personal boundaries. Until Cara and I helped him strengthen his boundaries, he came up with his own solutions, as we all do. He came back to himself by spending time alone. He showed us how a sensitive soul can energetically cleanse by being outside in solitude. The herd was regularly together at the top of the pasture, and Bandit would be far off at the bottom of the hill enjoying his alone time. Bandit absolutely loved his food. He took his time with his grain. His eyes half closed as he ate, savouring each mouthful. He sang at every hay feeding, an excited, joyful song. As Bandit matured, he became more involved in our work, supporting people through equine-assisted therapy. His style was to support on the outer edges of peoples’ energetic boundaries. He particularly liked sensitive humans. At some point, he let Zabrina know that one of his gifts was to support people with the healing of physical disease. He was so sensitive, he would sometimes act out the energy he picked up from the humans. One of his most recent teachings was the need for more containment of the trauma energy we are exposed to in our work. Through meditation he taught me to ask all trauma energy that arrives here on the Land to be directed into a labradorite crystal, and from there into the Earth to be transformed. To our astonishment, Bandit took over the leadership of the herd after Vienna transitioned to the Light. He obviously had mastered boundaries enough to lead the small herd. We joked that he was simply the ‘boss’ of the food. However, I did watch him correct unacceptable herd behaviour now and then. He always had a youthful, bachelor energy that did not seem to fit the leadership role. Nevertheless, I remember mistaking him for Vienna. Maybe he embodied her energy so as to be able to take on the leadership role. Maybe Vienna was continuing her leadership through Bandit. There is so much the horses do that we do not know about. While he showed Zabrina the first large melanoma in his sheath quite a few years ago, it was still a shock when the cancer spread throughout his body. If you did not pay attention to the symptoms, and the herd dynamics, it would be possible to fool yourself that he was fine. He looked damn good, even dying. Kaleb was his death doula, and took the role very seriously. It is such an honour, and so very beautiful to watch the horses support a struggling herd member. It seemed like Kaleb was holding him energetically, perhaps even taking on some of Bandit’s pain. A client once came to me in a state of awe after being with Bandit. She said: "He showed me his magnificent wings!” He was our Pegasus, our unicorn, our carousal horse. More of the air than of the Earth. Now he is fully in his element.
Introducing trixie
The Fall sessions have started. Cara and I are working with three groups of motivated women. Equine-assisted therapy is a lovely way to engage in self-development. The horses are so generous in their support of us increasing our self-awareness, our consciousness. In an initial session today, I was introducing Trixie. She came over to the fence line, lowered her head, softened her eyes, and licked and chewed while I spoke about her. She was clearly pleased that I was focusing on her youthful energy, and her zest for life. She recently made it clear to me that she does not want me describing her as an ‘old girl’. Later, it hit me that she was also reminding me that our words are powerful, that we are all like magnets. She does not want to call in the energies of ‘old’ and ‘declining’. In her journey towards greater health, she cannot have people talking and treating her like an old lady. It was such a perfect teaching about the necessity of monitoring our thinking and speaking, making sure they align with our goals, what we want for ourselves. It was also a reminder that we are all connected and our feelings and thoughts effect, as well as affect, one another. Thank you Trixie!
welcome molly
On Sunday, Molly the large miniature horse arrived on the property! She is living with Aggie and Trixie. Her integration into Aggie and Trixie's lives has been harmonious. Aggie is quite besotted with Molly. She follows Molly around. Molly is enamoured with Trixie, who is acting like Molly has always been in her life! Molly first met the rest of the herd over the fence, and then, today, met them in the arena. Despite the chasing and kicking, Molly remained grounded and somewhat flirtatious! I think Molly will be very happy here at The Equine Connection. She seems to love connecting with horses and humans, and is eager to participate in our helping work! Welcome Molly!
Gratitude
There has been much gratitude flowing our way here at The Equine Connection. I look around and see all the community offerings that are part of the daily gatherings here. L made the lap blankets used by most groups when the weather gets colder. A kind woman donated the clipboards. S donated the mounting block. Some of the art hanging around the property was gifted to us by enthusiastic and grateful women. Thank you to everyone! Recently, the beautiful, community minded M sent four gorgeous bouquets of flowers together with cards celebrating collaboration and community! Thank you Lovely! A kind gentleman gifted me with a fascinating book all about the history of The Horse and how our human development is intimately tied to the support of the hard working horse. Last week Tina Berlin gifted the horses, as well as Zabrina and I, a mini sound bath. So nourishing! The horses gathered all around Tina, absorbing the frequencies. Beautiful! S left a beautiful card in the tackroom made with one of her stunning photographs. Thank you, thank you! Many good folks have thanked the herd with carrots and apples, which the horses very much enjoy! Our dedicated volunteers come regularly to groom and walk the horses. A special thank you to T for years of dedication to Pie. She loves you! And, of course, my hard working partner continually, for more than 20 years now, builds and repairs everything here on the property that allows us and the herd to make the offerings we do towards health and healing! I love you forever!
time for rest
The horses have entered their rest period. I decided Oreo needed to be on a flat pasture because of her vulnerable feet and her body pain. So, she is spending the winter with the lovely Trixie in the top pasture. They are good together. Oreo gets to be the boss. Her nervous system gets to truly settle. I feel her body pain is more visible now. When her nervous system kept getting agitated, she either kept her muscles tight, or she dissociated. Now she is more present, and even looks bigger! This soothes me. Aggie is back in her pasture with her cozy shelter that she loves. Molly is with her. They are getting along very well. They do feel the hay rations could be larger. However, Zabrina & Cara both assure me that it is in their best interests to keep their belly sizes reasonable, and not ballooning! Lucky for the two cuties, they are gifted apples regularly. Pie and Kaleb remain on the big hillside pasture. They are content together. They love to explore amongst the cottonwood trees, and always return from their adventures covered in burrs! They are better at finding them than I am. I have pulled bags, and bags of burrs. Despite my efforts, Pie and Kaleb keep finding more! Yikes! The herd had a big year. They worked hard, serving many 2-leggeds. They grieved Bandit. They welcomed Molly into the family. They managed their own bodies and hearts too (with some help from us). It is now time to rest.
2025
2024
States of being
July 2024
One of Joe Dispenza’s meditations names a number of states of being, and he asks: ‘What would that feel like?’. He asks us to feel ‘appreciation’ in the body, to recognize the embodiment of giving thanks. He asks the same question about all sorts of fabulous ways of being in the world. As he goes through these different states of being, a particular horse, or other animal, or bird, or plant pops into my mind. What does ‘vitality’, limitless energy, feel like? I see Buddy, the dog here on the property, running through a field, zigzaging this way, and then that way. Clearly thrilled with life. Imagine how ‘freedom’ feels. I see a red-tailed hawk gliding through the sky. What does ‘presence’, all attention and energy in the moment, feel like? And, ‘knowingness’? I see the herd, present, working, all grounded, meditative, moving energy, supporting people from a place of knowing. Joe Dispenza is asking us to imagine “the greatest expression of ourselves”, and to feel a joy for our existence. By imagining various high frequency states of being, he is encouraging us to practice living like many four-leggeds, birds and plant life already live. What does ‘abundance’ feel like? The prolific poppies blooming in the garden are demonstrating abundance. When I look at them, when I breathe them in, I feel the secure, grounding energy abundance offers. Watching Oreo give an energy healing to someone on the massage table shows me ‘divinity’ in action. I see Oreo connected to Spirit, and I feel the awe of this experience. Every horse who arrives here with emotional, and physical wounds demonstrates how ‘inspiration’ feels in the body. The latest teacher is Blue, who is transforming into health before our very eyes. Truly inspiring. I got to feel ‘miraculous’ when the herd held space for Ruben in his despondancy. An image I only have to remember to connect with the sensation of miraculous collaboration and love. Oreo (like Chunky did too) continually connects me to feelings of ‘gratitude’, of appreciation, each time she lifts her front left leg up and bobs it up and down in thanks for her hay. When I remember the many moments I experienced with Vienna, I get to feel the ‘unlimited mind’, to feel ‘genius’ at work. I will never forget her parenting of the other horses, and her parenting of me, and others. So straight forward, and effective. What does ‘invincibility’ feel like?, Joe asks. I remember Fancy in her 30s. Like so many of the wise crones, there was a depth to her teaching. She made death feel like just another doorway to matter of factly walk through. And, of course, Landor embodied ‘nobility’. He held it in his stature. He demanded noble handling of his injuries, in his blanketing (He asked for a blanket with crystals sewn into the spine to support his energy centres!), and how he departed his body – an elaborate affair. Kaleb teaches ‘clarity’, a coherant way of being. A heart centredness. Pie demands ‘honor’, and in so doing, helps us to feel the honoring of ourselves. Aggie embodies ‘passion’ with her excitement for life. Bandit shows us ‘originality’, to live to the beat of our own drum, however that looks. There really is no end to the teachings of the herd, of all animals, and birds, and of the plants, and the trees. Who helps you embody the best version of yourself?
Listening to nature
Jun 2024
The world is always talking to us. A lot of what Mother Nature says are simply gifts to be enjoyed. There are so many gifts being given, all the time. The sound and vibrant colour of a hummingbird zooming by. The feel of fresh air on one’s cheeks. All the colours of the blossoms on the trees and flowers. The scents of the lilacs and wild roses. The taste of fresh herbs and vegetables and fruits picked from the garden. The sound of a bell moved by the wind. The feel of warm water on one’s skin. The sight of an eagle floating across the sky. The sound and sight of a robin bathing in a bird bath. How the light shines through the window. Listening to the wind stir the leaves of the trees. The sound of a wren’s song. The smell of the cottonwood buds opening. The sound of rain on a tin roof. The gifts are endless. What gifts did you receive from Mother Nature today? Breathe them in. Savor. Retrieve them in your memory when needing nourishment.
interconnectedness
April 2024
I opened the gate, letting the horses onto the newly green pasture. They raced through the field, bucking and circling and rearing. Instead of quickly turning their attention to grazing, they continued to run and buck and prance. This went on for several minutes. At one point, Oreo decided to climb the sand/rock mound. She stood on top of it, a matriarchal leader surveying her kingdom. Bandit, Kaleb and Pie continued to play on the flat. Oreo raised one of her front legs in her custom posture of gratitude. Was she saying thank you for life? Was she reminding us to practice humility when exercising our strengths? Was she reminding us to lead from our heart? The horses radiated an enormous amount of life force, a vital energy. Their physical displays showed off their powerful bodies, messaging the importance of acknowledging our strengths. They seemed to be saying that skills and abilities require honouring, exercising and enjoying as the gifts they are. Looking at the scene, my focus was drawn to Oreo. It felt like she was reminding us to be the centre of our own lives. Yes, we are connected to others, to our herd, to our community. We are interdependent herd beings. However, we are here to share our unique gifts by attending to our inner world, to an awareness of our energy and to meeting our own needs. We are the centre of our lives. She was also reminding us to keep our focus wide. She stands atop the highest point and surveys her surroundings. She knows how she fits into this world. By knowing our inner world and expanding our vision of the outer world, we are able to step out of the everyday track we might be in to find a strong place to lead our lives from. To be the leader of our own life, our care of ourselves needs to be a daily focus. Practicing our self-love behaviours everyday is how we stay flowing with the exuberant life force the horses were playing with and embodying. Another teaching from the Master Healers!
January 2024
Leadership
For anyone who had the honour of knowing Vienna, you may have witnessed some superb leadership. She was an excellent herd boss. She was a practical mother. She was a no-nonsense matriarch. I do not think I ever saw her doubt herself. She completely filled her leadership role, never questioning her capacity to lead well. The herd felt safe, and secure under her reign. She corrected bad behaviour, mothered the young, and she even taught the herd to drop most of their manure in one spot, helping keep the pasture clean! She not only led the herd, she guided me too. She was constantly teaching me something. And, of course, she offered wisdom, and healing to the many people who attended sessions with Vienna. Leadership was natural for the big, assertive, confident mare. For most of us, our relationship with being the leader of our own lives is not this straight forward. We often doubt our capacity to lead – whether our own selves, or others. The reality is that effective, true leadership requires being vulnerable, practicing humility, and knowing you will make mistakes. It can be scary too. Nevertheless, the world needs such bravery, and action. One way to connect with the courage to lead, is to have a mentor. Someone who demonstrates good leadership by the way they live. Someone you can turn to for support and encouragement. For me, my teacher was, and is Vienna. These days, I look at a painting, or a photo of her, and engage with her via my imagination. She is always there, leading the way.
2023
pie has grown up
August 2023
Pie is all grown up. She still plays and can be mischievous, thankfully! And, she has matured into a dedicated healer. It is so satisfying to watch her thoroughly step deep into this work. She has had a strange childhood, living with the elderly. She has been involved in equne-assisted therapy since she was about 3 months young. Her birth mother, Amiga, shared her with the herd very quickly. She spent the greater part of her first year in a pasture with Amiga and two other equine elders. After her gradual weaning, she moved into the lower pasture where Vienna filled the role of adoptive mother. These days, her human Auntie Tessa grooms and walks her weekly, while Oreo mothers her. Pie adores her time with Tessa, and does not like to be separated from Oreo. On May 28th, Pie clebrated her 9th birthday. Her growth is most evident when she is working with the clients who come to The Equine Connection. This Spring, she was gifting a woman an energy session. Picture a massage table in the arena, a woman on the table, a healer offering reiki, and the horses doing energy work – all at once. Pie started by clearing the woman’s throat chakra, and then stood and touched various parts of the woman’s body. She then pressed her nuzzle against the woman’s cheek, and walked away. Incredibly powerful and beautiful and touching and loving and kind. This is how Pie has been showing up in the work! We are so proud!
2022
goodbye to fancy
sept 2022
We recently had a joyful celebration of Fancy’s long life. She is well into her 30s. She wanted to wear a crown, which Kathleen supplied. Cara made her a hair clasp of ribbons and beads spelling her name. (Her full name is Fancy Ribbons!) We groomed her in the arena with Oreo in attendance. A small alter was placed in the centre of the arena. We raised a glass of sparkling water in her honour, thanking her for all her generous gifts. Then we danced to some serious country music lyrics, circling Fancy with rainbow ribbons. Fancy stood very still, taking it all in. Cara and Kimmie took pictures to remember the event, and capture Fancy in her elder, queen state. To close, Zabrina read a poem, a love poem. Fancy had asked for her to read it. The message was that, in the end, all that matters is love. She has lived a life full of expressing her love. She has demonstrated how to love – others and oneself. She is loud and demonstrative in her loving.
not your average day
Sept 2022
This morning, I woke up, put my housecoat on, and wandered outside to feed the horses, like every morning. It quickly became apparent it was not the usual AM! The first difference was that the minis were already eating breakfast. Their whellbarrow had been tipped over, and the two cuties could reach a generous serving of hay. Next discovery was that most of an entire bale had been feasted on, and the rest scattered about – just out of reach for Bandit and Kaleb. After feeding the boys, I marched up to the covered arena where the three girls were supposed to be. I found two rails down, and the gate hanging on one hinge. Also, another wheelbarrow of scattered hay, poop all around, and no mares! I turned around to see them all gathered in the outdoor arena, looking like they belonged there – even if Fancy looked somewhat bewildered. (Probably a too hectic night for an elder.) The gate to the outdoor arena was open. So, they obviously put themselves in there, which I appreciated! Despite Oreo being the matriarch, it felt like Pie had been the evening’s ring leader. The young one had led the way. Looking at the three of them together made me think of the child/adult/elder trio. It seems positive that the three busted out of the confines of, symbolically speaking, traditional boundaries. ( Let’s say those set by the dominant culture for women.) They apparently partied for several hours, and then decided themselves on the boundaries they wanted, which included an opening to freedom, the open arena gate. How many of us truly set our own lifestyle boundaries + give ourselves permission to ‘run away’ for a few hours/days/weeks? To do this, we would probably need our child part to lead the way. She hopefully knows how to play like Pie does. As for our adult self, she will be refreshed by the adventure. Oreo certainly was visibly relaxed – all day long. As the boss mare, she holds much responsibility, like most adult women do. If we don’t ‘run away’ consciously for a bit each day, exhaustion sets in. I have noticed my entire being longs for even 15 minutes of doing nothing, or ‘running away’ by sitting with a cup of tea, and watching a sunset. While those who have reached elderhood know we have to better manage our energy levels, a bit of galavanting is good for the soul, and spreads joy throughout the body. After her night of playing, Fancy had a quiet day, with more nutrients to support her aging body. She knows the importance of having fun. She has allowed her inner child to play as often as possible her whole life. She is the perfect role model of how to fill out your personal space in a way that is congruent with your personality. While she lives in her own way, she also knows how to collaborate. She works hard, and she has lots of fun too. When I am as old as her, I want to be as well balanced as she is. Pie, Oreo and Fancy invite you all to play, consciously.
Teachings from oreo
April 2022
Powerlessness Experiences of powerlessness Wired my brain: “I am powerless” How could this be true? It has to be a trick! Yes! It was that experience, that trauma I lived through. It oozed powerlessness. My wiring is a trauma belief that does not represent my whole being. I AM POWERFUL! My senses, my voice, my imagination. My entire body gives me personal power. My breath, my intuition, my beautiful heart. I AM POWERFUL! My power resides inside of me. I live in it, grounded and confident. There is no need to prove it to myself, or to anyone else by forcing my agenda, hoping to win the struggle. As if the win is evidence of my power. It is another illusion, an extension of the trauma belief about powerlessness. I let go. I turn inwards to where my personal power resides. I AM POWERFUL! I lean back into my own centre, my own strength. Observing the goings on in the world. I won’t jump into any whirlwind of chaos. I will stand tall like the trees. Feel my breath fill my body, my muscles supporting me. I return to the present and look at all the evidence of my personal power.
March 2022
empathy
The world got inside you. It was like a storm, wreaking havoc with your senses. An electrical overload happened in the mind. The world’s problems became personal. You began taking responsibility for others’ actions. Empathy on high speed. Anger surfaced to clean you out. A cleansing fire. Some of the heat seeped out, touching your loved ones. They panicked, and brought society even closer, right into your safe place. Judgements, systems in action, and protocols shut down the empathy. What good is empathy if it leads to chaos? How do we connect with others without losing ourselves? Or is our ‘empathy gone wild’ simply a reflection of how unbalanced our society is? For all us empaths: Pause – multiple times a day for a bit. Do nothing for, at least, a few minutes every day. Take time to be alone with yourself. Breathe deeply. Do a cleansing practice – smudge, spray yourself with a mixture of water and essential oils, lean against a tree, visualize light and water running through you. Move – dance, walk, stretch… Quiet your mind with an affirmation that you say over and over to yourself when the head is over-active. Practice being thankful all day long. Look at the beauty in nature. Really take it in. Notice the details. Feel the outside air on your skin. Smell a tree, a wood burning fire, some incense… Listen to the wind, to a bird, to running water… Say: ‘I love you’ as you focus on your beautiful heart.
goodbye chunky
Yesterday, Sunday, February 27th, we buried our one-of-a-kind Chunky. He passed quickly and peacefully after a wonderful, relatively long life. He has supported hundreds of people. He started the journey of equine-assisted therapy and learning with Wendy around 17 years ago. He is well known, and very well loved by many, many people. As well as by many horses, and a few cats too. A book could be written about his teachings. His primary messages were about inclusion, respect, and breathwork. We are sure he will continue to support us from the other side of the veil. He is now with his good buddies, Landor and Joey. Thank you Chunky. It has been an honour to know you. Love you forever. A tribute to Chunky from Cara... Goodbye Chunky My first sight was of you standing proudly on a cliff top overlooking a vast, sandy desert. Your head was poised in picture perfect splendour Your long mane flowing wildly in the wind. Your legs were long, your coat glossy and Your pride in the beauty surrounding you flowed outwards. This is how I knew you. You were such a dependable soul, game to be part of whatever we asked. Your warm nicker, your glowing eyes will be a part of me forever. You suffered no diminishment from anyone. So strong. You played so beautifully with your giant friend, Landor And loved playing later with the big boys, Bandit and Kaleb. You mentored youngsters with a long-suffering kindness I have Never seen given so freely and without consideration for reward. Your gift to us for play and for love and tolerance will Reverberate long into the future. My heart mourns my loss at the same moment I celebrate your Passage into the light that you never lost sight of. Play well, my friend. I will remember.
wisdom from fancy
Feb 2022
Feisty pony Full of life Sensually alive The power of the colour organge Go, go, go Many years of teaching kids to ride Curious Explorer Embodies her freedom Runs free whenever she can Knows how to have fun Flirts because she can Empathic teacher Mother Earth’s ambassador Embracing learning Feeling deeply Asks for what she needs and what she wants Persistent Grounded Grandmother Keeps her eyes wide open Never gives up Devoted Friend
happy new year
New beginnings can be so hopeful. It is a great time to start projects and rituals you have always wanted to explore. It is a good time to re-pattern your daily life to include activities that give you joy, like watching the sunset each evening, or curling up on the couch to read for at least an hour each day with a warm mug of tea. My plan is to learn to knit socks this winter, and, most importantly, to spend more time caring for my body by stretching, taking baths, walking, eating well... The horses are enjoying some time off after a very busy 2021. It was a year filled with equine-assisted therapy groups, individual sessions, and big shifts in the herd. In the Spring, we said good-bye to Vienna, which was massive. Bandit surprised us all and took over the leadership of the herd. He is doing a very good job. Likely channeling Vienna energy! We watched Oreo start to transform, expressing more of herself. We were regularly astonished by Fancy, who is an extraordinary and wise healer. Pie matured enormously in 2021. We are proud of her. Chunky was our rock. Continuing to be the confident, grounded being he is. Kaleb, being the fine tuned emotional sensor that he is, let us know when the herd needed more support. The hot, hot summer was tough for him. The herd received some relief from the heat and smoke with sprinklers in their pastures and with supportive herbs in their grain. In October we said good-bye to Ruben. It was a peaceful passing. Vienna and Rubens’ energies are palpable here on the property. I am grateful for their support.
2021
Vienna
On April 9th we buried our herd boss, Vienna. Vienna lived with cancer for some time. Once her pain levels became too high, she let us know she wished to leave her body. A lot of preparation preceded her death. She wished to be buried at a boundary crossing, in congruence with her primary teachings of the importance of boundaries. She taught many people the function of boundaries in creating a sense of safety, and in allowing us to share our unique selves with the world. She reminded us that that is why we are here, to share our ‘one of a kind’ way of being with others, and to do that you need a sense of personal safety, which is what boundaries provide. She was hard working, impatient, expressive, grounding, and an effective leader. In her years with us, she adopted Sweetie Pie, and was a strong mother to the strong-willed foal, who is now almost 7 years old. She was a mother who loved unconditionally, and, at the same time, one who expected excellence. She was led by common sense, practicality, and a drive to teach. She often walked out a circle in front of someone she was working with. The circle being a symbol of completion, centering, movement, wholeness, and of the Self. One of my favourite memories happened during a retreat where a circle of women were honouring the four directions, as well as ‘the Centre’. When we named the Centre, Vienna sighed in frustration and marched over to Cara to explain that we are meant to hold our Centres, energetically. That energy is for each of us. We are not meant to throw that energy away, which we in fact had done in the acting out of the ritual. It is part of her boundary teachings that the function of holding one’s energetic boundaries is to create a safe place for your own being, your own one-of-a-kind Self. Vienna demonstrated this in how she even stood, filling out her being and being present. Thank you Vienna for your very good mothering, for all the important lessons, and still being here spiritually. We love you.
welcome new horses
During the first week of September, we welcomed three new horses to the property. This was an eventful time. We had been enjoying a smaller, consistent herd for a while. So, needless to say, there was a massive energy shift when the new herd members arrived. New to the property is Ruben, a 20 year old Standardbred. He is a very sweet guy and happy to live with a herd. His nervous system is running rather high right now. So, we are giving him herbal, physical and energetic support. When he is ready, he will join us in the equine-assisted therapy sessions. Oreo is a 13 year old quarterhorse paint. She immediately joined us in our sessions. She is very confident and a brilliant teacher. She oozes love. Also part of the current herd is Fancy Ribbons, who was one of my first co-creators when we started offering equine-assisted therapy 15 years ago. I hadn’t seen Fancy for 12 years. It is an absolute pleasure to have her living on the property. She is now a wise woman of 30 years. She already knew a couple of the horses, and very easily integrated into the herd. She is of course a master healer. Zoe, a two year old miniature, joined us in August. She is living with Chunky, as Spicy is back in Falkland with Maia where she is doing more horsewomanship. Zabrina, Cara and I are always doing what we can to support the herd. The herd is also receiving support from a number of wonderful women. I am very grateful to all the people who are currently caring for specific herd members – MJ, Jenna, Sandy, Colleen, Tessa, Lucille & Sarah. Thank you ladies!
2020
wild chicken
Dec 2020
The Wild Chicken Mama Died December 9th, 2020. She was ancient, at least 10 years old. Her body weathered. Frost bite, a limp from a broken leg that Cara splinted for her a few years back. Emotionally, she had survived two dog attacks, and lost a number of babies. She was feisty. She went after what she wanted. She was very vocal. She was her own boss. A true, strong matriarch. She seduced roosters and made well hidden nests to hatch brood after brood. One clutch was born in the month of November and had to be kept in the tackroom until they were old enough to stand the weather. She was a strong, practical mother who prepared her offspring to be competent and survive well. She loved oats and would find me in the tackroom, and demand her oats. The day before she died, she met me in the tackroom, and quietly asked for her last supper. It was a very different interaction than the usual. It was friendly and collaborative, as opposed to bossy and independent. She was saying thank you. I, too, say thank you Mama. It is an end to an era. I am sure we will never completely know all that she gave us, and the land. Her magic was largely invisible. Her everyday message was clear: Fill out your Being & Create!
All About Love
June 2021
Sweetie Pie has been emotionally growing in leaps and bounds. She has been working with Marilee Moss, a trainer and riding coach. Marilee has taught Pie ground manners, and some tricks. Pie’s favourite is perching her front hoof on a log! She also prefers liberty work, as opposed to being on a lead line – the free spirit that she is! As Marilee and Pie have worked together, Pie has visibly filled out her body, become more grounded, and confident. Since she arrived here on the property, Sweetie Pie has also had regular bodywork sessions with Zabrina, which has also helped Pie fill out her body and own her space. In addition, Pie has received good nutrition to balance her physical challenges (which are becoming less and less present). Another piece of her development has involved Zabrina and I talking to Pie about her role as a healer. When I asked Pie if there is a topic she would like to teach people, what surfaced was the importance of self-love. For a lot of us, self-love is low on the priority list. We may even have trauma beliefs that create an obstacle to loving ourselves. Whatever the case, it is imperative to our health that we express self-love each day. It can be small acts like committing to deep breathing, or eating more whole foods. It could include thanking your various body parts for doing their job and supporting the quality of your life. Ideally our self-love includes a daily cleansing practice to release whatever we have picked up that is not ours. Self-love involves doing the activities that you are passionate about, without placing strict demands on yourself of how and how much you produce. It could be painting, gardening, dancing, riding a bike… Joy can be found in so many things. We are thrilled that Pie has brought self-love into the light and asked us to make it a more conscious part of the sessions offered here at The Equine Connection!
Coping Skill
Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit. Close your eyes. Deepen your breath. Bring your attention to your heart. As you focus on your breath and your heart, ask yourself: “What is one thing I can do to love myself today?” Let the answer slowly pop into your awareness and then go do it!
Zaza comes home!
Zaza has come home! He has been gone for around six months. He is a bit thinner, his face more chiseled, and his coat rougher. For the rest, he is mostly the same guy - serious and protective, but perhaps a bit less forceful. When he first left in the Fall, he was gone for three weeks. He then returned for a week. That week home, he was super cuddly. He then left again, and has just recently returned, more than six months later. I have sat with him, meditatively asking where he has been, and what he was doing. His lips are sealed. Once I let go, and stopped asking, I heard: " We belong together." Warmth flooded my whole being, hearing those words. His explanation for his return contrasts with the story I had made up to explain his absence. I thought he was angry about another male cat, Derek, coming to live on the property. This story was dishonouring of what Zaza had actually done. The first cat he welcomed into the house was Makita, the fearless, female kitten, who had been found in a snow bank. He mentored her, and did his best to protect her when she was outside. Her dismissal of her own vulnerability, and her habit of flirting with danger led to an early death that Zaza grieved. After Makita died, he would not go into their basket, nor use the kitty litter until I cleaned them both completely of her scent. Watching him grieve told me about his ability to deeply attach. The next year, we brought Milwaukie home, another pretty girl. Again, he cared for her in a loving manner - grooming her, playing with her. When Millie, as we call her, was 16 weeks old, Derek arrived, unexpectedly. Without much fuss, Zaza opened up his territory to this new, male figure. For such a dominant guy, Zaza's actions speak of flexibility, and a willingness to collaborate, and practice inclusiveness. Despite all the evidence, it was still a stereotypical story I contrived to explain his absence. The truth is, I will likely never know why Zaza left home for such a long period of time. However, I could make up a story that honours what his past behaviour has told us about his character. A story that celebrates the spiritual nature of animals, and how they support us humans in journeying through life. Such a story would imagine Zaza going on a trek in the name of helping a human in need, or to support another household energetically. This story would speak of his devotion to collaboration, and his large heart that allows him to love deeply. The story I made up was the result of my injured pride, and my loss of his love, and presence in my daily life. I made his actions personal. While they did have a personal impact, Zaza's actions were also impersonal, not about me. His actions are about him. So, I am reminded how easily we colour our observations, and experiences with our own feelings, and desires, creating a story that is really about our injured feelings, and not getting what we want. While Zaza looks like a big, tough guy, and has a large presence, it is not possible to capture his personality and actions with a stereotypical label. There remains much mystery around his behaviour. As per usual, things are not what they seem, especially not through my coloured glasses!
December 2019
The Equine Connection's Newsletter
Celebrating the Body
As a counsellor, I have spent the majority of my career focused on the health of our thoughts and feelings. Since I started working with my equine colleagues, I have slowly been more and more immersed in the wisdom of the body, and also, in the importance of caring for our physical selves. Through various bodywork modalities, especially cranial sacral and acupuncture, as well as via herbalism, I have learned more and more about good physical and nutritional health. As I reflected on the impact of 2019, I realized that much of what I have learned has been about effective nurturing of the physical body. Whether it is the incredible functioning of the organs, or the fact that we can treat physical symptoms with energy, I would like to celebrate the physicality of our bodies, who, I believe, are our allies and represent our primary home. December is a month of reflection and of gratitude. For me, this process leads to releasing what no longer nourishes me and to a commitment of investing more energy into what does feed my soul. Personally, 2019 has been a year of shifting how I live. It was a wrestling match between old habits and ways of perceiving the world, and learning to operate, at a deeper level, in a more internally directed fashion. Part of this journey has involved deepening my awareness of my biology. Specifically, of how our physiology needs to be supported with nutrition and bodywork. And, how meditation and focusing (Eugene Gendlin's tool) allow us to access our body's wisdom, hear our subconscious, and support our biology.
Coping skill
We are interdependent beings. We are wired for connection. This means that every interaction we have with others, with our animal and bird mates, with all aspects of nature, with buildings and things involves energy transference. Some of the energy we pick up is nourishing and supportive, and some is not. And, some of the energy is simply not our responsibility. It is good practice to release such energy, daily. It is also extremely easy to do. At least once a day, as you take a deep breath in, say to yourself: “On the exhale, I am releasing whatever is not mine.” Or “On the exhale, I am releasing whatever I am holding that no longer serves me in a positive manner.” You may want to repeat this a few times, and concentrate on truly letting go of physical tension. Also, imagine that the energy is running down your legs and out your feet to be recycled in the earth.
with gratitude
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who support the herd, and I all through the year. Thank you to Zabrina, and to Cara who make everything better. Thank you to Diane and Britt and Craig and Carrie . Thank you to Marcel and Jeff and Alan for making hay. Thank you to Marilee for training Pie and to Maia for training Spicy. Thank you to Leanne and Paige for supporting Kara. Thank you to all the women who love the horses and visit with treats and attention. Thank you Vienna for leading the herd, and to Kaleb for helping with the leadership. And, thank you Zaza for your protective presence. One person The Equine Connection could not function without is my partner of 30 years, Christiaan . There is not a fence, nor building that he has not bettered. He created our beautiful covered arena, tackroom and sitting area. He is continually maintaining the buildings and fences on the property. Christiaan generously supports us with a smile on his face, and with a wide open heart. The horses, cats, and I love you very much. Thank you for supporting our foundation.
May 2019
The Equine Connection's Newsletter
Celebrating the Body
As a counsellor, I have spent the majority of my career focused on the health of our thoughts and feelings. Since I started working with my equine colleagues, I have slowly been more and more immersed in the wisdom of the body, and also, in the importance of caring for our physical selves. Through various bodywork modalities, especially cranial sacral and acupuncture, as well as via herbalism, I have learned more and more about good physical and nutritional health. As I reflected on the impact of 2019, I realized that much of what I have learned has been about effective nurturing of the physical body. Whether it is the incredible functioning of the organs, or the fact that we can treat physical symptoms with energy, I would like to celebrate the physicality of our bodies, who, I believe, are our allies and represent our primary home. December is a month of reflection and of gratitude. For me, this process leads to releasing what no longer nourishes me and to a commitment of investing more energy into what does feed my soul. Personally, 2019 has been a year of shifting how I live. It was a wrestling match between old habits and ways of perceiving the world, and learning to operate, at a deeper level, in a more internally directed fashion. Part of this journey has involved deepening my awareness of my biology. Specifically, of how our physiology needs to be supported with nutrition and bodywork. And, how meditation and focusing (Eugene Gendlin's tool) allow us to access our body's wisdom, hear our subconscious, and support our biology.
Coping skill
We are interdependent beings. We are wired for connection. This means that every interaction we have with others, with our animal and bird mates, with all aspects of nature, with buildings and things involves energy transference. Some of the energy we pick up is nourishing and supportive, and some is not. And, some of the energy is simply not our responsibility. It is good practice to release such energy, daily. It is also extremely easy to do. At least once a day, as you take a deep breath in, say to yourself: “On the exhale, I am releasing whatever is not mine.” Or “On the exhale, I am releasing whatever I am holding that no longer serves me in a positive manner.” You may want to repeat this a few times, and concentrate on truly letting go of physical tension. Also, imagine that the energy is running down your legs and out your feet to be recycled in the earth.
with gratitude
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I would like to express my gratitude to the many people who support the herd, and I all through the year. Thank you to Zabrina, and to Cara who make everything better. Thank you to Diane and Britt and Craig and Carrie . Thank you to Marcel and Jeff and Alan for making hay. Thank you to Marilee for training Pie and to Maia for training Spicy. Thank you to Leanne and Paige for supporting Kara. Thank you to all the women who love the horses and visit with treats and attention. Thank you Vienna for leading the herd, and to Kaleb for helping with the leadership. And, thank you Zaza for your protective presence. One person The Equine Connection could not function without is my partner of 30 years, Christiaan . There is not a fence, nor building that he has not bettered. He created our beautiful covered arena, tackroom and sitting area. He is continually maintaining the buildings and fences on the property. Christiaan generously supports us with a smile on his face, and with a wide open heart. The horses, cats, and I love you very much. Thank you for supporting our foundation.