Author Archive
A Horse Called Peek-a-Boo
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It was a crisp slightly windy day as I drove into the Ap’ljac ranch. My heart was pounding in great anticipation to become more within the heart of the horse. The horses were calm but interested as I headed toward the meeting space for Kathy Pike’s “The Dance of Authenticity through the Wisdom of the Horse.” I was the first one to arrive on this day that would change my life as I knew it.
While walking past one horse in particular, a bay mare of Arabian decent, my heart switched rhythm. I felt a connection as I briefly made contact with her soft brown eyes.
When it came time to observe the herd, this same mare reached inside me and put a string of lights around my heart. I walked away to observe the other horses only to find my mind solely on her alluring aura.
In meeting Kathy Pike I felt we had a connection somewhat similar to the bay mare and I. Kathy showed such a pure and understanding soul, it was a very comfortable feeling. The spiritual connection within all of us was brought together with such a compassion through Kathy’s expertise.
Each exercise we experienced brought me to a closer understanding of the profound possibilities with Horse. My inner self could not get enough of it, as I listen to my heart pounding with acceptance of the learning.
I chose to do the dance with the bay mare, called Peek-a-Boo, for my session. My heart raced, my chest felt tight as my knees felt weak. She was feeling my energy as she came walking down the path toward me. Our eyes met as both were bursting with excitement. As Peak-a-Boo was released in the round pen she snorted, kicked up her heals and pranced around, all the time I felt her energy race within me. As I entered her space I felt the need to let her lead this dance, so I walked to the center of the pen.
Peek-a-Boo made the first move and we greeted each other through the essence of our souls. Let the dance begin! I felt as though I was her and she were me, as we meshed into one. Our dance was creative and my heart was once again in rhythm with hers. Although it felt as if I were moving in slow motion, my inner soul was two feet off the ground dancing with Peek-a-Boo’s inner music. It was like we had done this dance in a previous time. My mind told my hands to paint this picture with my fingers. I felt every cell of her being as my fingers connected with her flesh and fur, we painted a master piece in that dance while I came into my authenticity.
The word congruency brought on a whole new meaning that day when Peek-a-Boo and I danced in harmony. My life has taken on a whole new meaning from that workshop and the incredible work of Kathy Pike and a horse called Peek-a-Boo.
I shall be forever grateful!
Brandy Murry ~ onewithmanyhorses
Embracing Possibilities…
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Dear Friends,
The start of 2013 has taken me across the world to Australia to experience their summer, then down to south Texas to experience the spring with blue bonnets and Longhorn cattle. Both adventures were rich with creating connections with the horses, the land, and all of earth’s creatures.
Coaching with Horses is growing in recognition throughout the world. It is exciting to see how many people are searching for a deeper understanding of how to honor Horse as teacher, mentor, and guide. The more I travel the more I understand the importance of getting the mind body philosophies I teach in conjunction with Horse to as many people as possible.
To accommodate that need, we are currently in the process of revamping our programs slightly. A team of well-qualified graduates and advanced instructors are now supporting the EFLC training programs. Every program will have double the staff that it has had in previous years. This will provide more time with the horses and a richer more diverse experience for the student.
In addition to this change, we are recognizing that travel has become more expensive and often less enjoyable than previous years. To help reduce our student expenses we are now reshaping our yearlong training program from four levels of on-site training to three levels of on-site training. The training program retains the same amount of teaching days but offers a more intensive format.
The Dance of Authenticity through the Wisdom of the Horse continues to be a prerequisite to the yearlong EFLC Apprenticeship program. However, it is now three days in length to provide the student with their own deep learning and experience with Horse. The EFLC Level One program then follows it.
The EFLC Level One will still be open to those who wish to experience some of the tools that we teach and enhance their already existing equine learning programs.
We have expanded our lodging list to include several local individuals who are offering private rooms in their homes to our students. And, as always we are happy to connect students to each other so they may share accommodations or car rentals.
Last winter I bought a new facility and home for me and my herd. The programs in Colorado will be held at this new location in Berthoud, Colorado (just minutes away from the previous center), unless weather does not permit. In those cases our secondary location is just a few miles away. The new facility is intimate and quiet with lots of trees and shade. The horses seem very content here as the herd lives very close together and, for the most part, Corazon and Moon are living with the girls.
The next EFLC Apprenticeship Program (VIII) is now open to registrants. We have limited space for this program. The dates are:
Approved EFLC Facilitator Training Dates
- Dance of Authenticity workshop with the EFLC Level One training segment following after (pick one):
September 12 – 20, 2013, (September 15th is a day off) Berthoud, Colorado
November 7 – 15, 2013, (November 10th is a day off) Brenham, Texas
March 20 – 28, 2014, (March 23rd is a day off) Brenham, Texas
- EFLC Level Two: June 19 – 26, 2014, Berthoud, Colorado
- EFLC Level Three: September 22 – 29, 2014, Berthoud, Colorado
Each year I evaluate the EFLC Apprenticeship program to see how it might be improved and also what has been achieved. I hope you find these changes more suited to your travel and planning needs.
We have accomplished a lot this year. I am thrilled that the International Coach Federation recognizes both our Level One and Level Two programs for continuing education credits. The graduating class of 2012 was a potent group of women who are all now taking the work out into the world. A return trip to Australia is in the works. The Ap’ljac Farms ranch in Texas was truly an amazing facility and I will continue to return there throughout 2014.
However, the biggest accomplishment for me this year is the community of equine “sisters” that keeps growing stronger and stronger world-wide. I feel truly blessed to have so many dedicated horse women on a spiritual path helping to support bringing this work to the world. Thank you Jane Reid, Cynthia Raman, Rita Bledsoe, Lynette Dominguez, Janis Cooper, Shannon Henshaw, Liz Markusfeld, Cheryl Cruttenden, Meredith Tropley and many more graduates who are sharing the wisdom of horse world-wide.
Many Blessings and we hope to see you soon.
Kathy
Moon, Cor, Diva, Dizzy and Inkie
To register for these, or other programs with Kathy Pike, visit our Calendar Page.
Sweet Surrender
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There is a buzz here. It is constant, from the slow rise of the sun to the moment it sinks below the flat wavy hot line of the late day horizon. Not intrusive, yet impossible to ignore, the hum of the cicada rises loudly and falls in waves of silence as the cockatoos, cocoberry and rosella parrots spring forth in their song of vigor and charm, dancing magic through my ears and my senses.
There is aliveness in the air and everything simultaneously orchestrates a deep shift within me. These primal sounds in the hot Australia summer have, oddly enough, pulled me back to my days of high adventure, 
running rivers, backpacking, and climbing mountains in the great Rocky Mountains. Not because there is a commonality in the rhythm or the texture of the land, plants and animals, but because of the stirring in my soul and my heart for more time to commune with mother earth and the animals as I did in my earlier adulthood. This special place, named Banyandah (home on the water) by it’s steward Jane Reid, urges me to live more deeply in harmony, balance and creativity, and to have some fun.
We have four days between our programs here. Jane’s herd of horses stepped into the Dance of Authenticity program with confidence and generosity. As always, I feel deeply blessed to be facilitating the rising of consciousness through horses and to share the moments of stillness and venture beyond this physical world into a ‘oneness’ that expands the breath and heart.
Now, there is time for my own journey. In the morning, after I rub on the horse’s withers, drop down the hill and enter the forest of eucalyptus and poa grass, pass by the resting cows, touch on the grandfather
matrix tree, and then reach the river, I sit. I breathe. I trace the sensations in my body and the world around me continues to sing, the river flows and the fish are jumping. And as I sit, the tears come. Just slowly and gently, falling to the river as I am perched on a fallen log. They are not tears of sorrow, or grief, or even of sadness. 
They are tears of invitation, an invitation to drop back into a deeper part of myself and to remember with what gives me balance, where my rhythm might lie.
This expansive Australian ecosystem continues its ensemble of vibrational mastery bringing aliveness to my being. The song is always there, oblivious to its audience, and my heart applauds in silence. I don’t believe I have listened so deeply or intently for a very long time. Not seeking meaning or significance, nor trying to capture something to hold forever, dancing through my senses this Australian land speaks to me of presence and oneness. I feel myself surrender.
A White Winter
Posted by: | CommentsFather Winter has made himself known in Colorado. His hello did not include whimsical snowflakes landing gently on my nose. Instead, as I trudged down to feed the horses, I was greeted by icy cold specks of sleet darting horizontally from the north and biting my checks. Corazon, full of impatience, chased Moon through the fields, and both carried on bucking and kicking. Even though I had come down an hour early, their frosty manes and frozen whiskers told me it still was not soon enough.
The girls were sporting white iced half-blankets on their backs, nature’s special way of insulating. The two mares waited calmly with a steady eye on my every move. Snickers, the mustang filly I have been fostering, pranced around and then stuck her head through the wood slats, snatching the hay from my hands just as fast as she could. I couldn’t blame her. It was only 5 degrees in the rosy light of morning.
Inkie quickly made the rounds through all of her secret hunting spots. Within moments she was at my feet lifting her paws and seeking relief from the bitter cold. I could have been grumpy as the sharp sleet pelted my face; instead it made me feel alive and connected to my herd.
Another cold winter has arrived and another year has passed. Reflecting back, it was a full year packed with programs, changes, growth, horses coming, a few horses leaving, and new opportunities.
Many of you have been with me for years. You know that I have lived a life filled with outdoor adventures, expanded moments of consciousness, and especially change. You have also seen that when I move into finer alignment, manifestations come quickly.
I was absolutely thrilled when we found the farm in Longmont in 2011 and I made the move from the mountains down to the Boulder area. It has been great to reconnect with old friends and the spiritual horse community along the front-range is very stimulating.
Now, as 2012 comes to a close, it became clear to me that in order to create my next vision another major change would need to happen. I am so pleased to announce that through several serendipitous events, I have purchased a home with acreage for the horses and space for the programs. The new facilities will be slightly smaller and much more manageable. The land feels sacred and is very quiet. Large cottonwoods stretch to the sky and evergreen pine trees buffer the west winds. A canal runs the length of the property through the fields and lovely views create a sense of space. The first few times I visited the property I saw a Teepee in my mind’s eye. I sense the energy of the past here and I believe my horses will be happy with the shamanic roots that are present.
The experience of finding and obtaining the house and property was the result of divine intervention. The timely meetings and events are too numerous to share with you today—but someday I am sure I will write about it. Every person who helped played an important role. I have been surrounded by a team of kind professionals who took care of all the details. As we all sat at the closing table everyone was in full agreement that to close on the property in the way we did, over two holidays, was very exceptional.
I am convinced that the woman who had lived in the house for twenty years (a kind lady, world class saddle maker and endurance rider), and who has now passed over, did all she could from the other side to help me become the next occupant of her home and land. It was her wish that the Wounded Warriors Organization have the land. That was not possible. I hope she finds peace in knowing that others will be here healing, connecting with nature and horses, and expanding into a deeper sense of their authentic self.
It is a sweet spot, a true sanctuary, and feels very intimate. I think you will find treasures of all sorts here. The new property is in Berthoud, the next town over from Longmont and only 10 minutes away from the old facility. All travel information for attending a program stays the same.
How much easier can it get?