There was a buzz in the air, I could feel it in my body, my belly tightening and releasing, jitters pulsating and sending my heartbeat into rapid pounding. We hadn't even gotten into the boat yet. But on this day, in 1983, as we stood at Lava Falls, deep in the Grand Canyon with the river running over 100,000 cfs, I could barely stay present in my body. A big black rock, usually easy to see on the right side of the river at Lava Falls rapids, was completely underwater. Lava Falls has always been known as a spot for big adventure and big waves, but this was unheard … [Read more...]
Power and Freedom through Vulnerability
Every time I write a blog post, new levels of vulnerability potentially arise within me. This week's blog and video has been sitting on my desktop for over a year. The content personal and revealing of the intimate relationship I have with my herd. I have not felt ready to post it. You would think that after posting blogs for twenty-two years my level of resilience and ability to roll with the comments and feedback would be like steel. This video gave me a run for my money. To test the waters I asked a few select graduates and dear friends to look at the clip. In the … [Read more...]
Baby is All Grown Up!
Ginger is all grown up, or at least she thinks she is. Nearly as tall as Corazon, Ginger continues to grow; her legs getting long with a more elegant look emerging. However, Ginger, aka Twinkle Toes, is still, and always will be, "the baby" to me. (photo: Ginger One Month Young) Ginger stepped into "teaching humans" for the first time during the Mindful Horsemanship clinic here at the ranch. In hand with an experienced horsewoman, Ginger brought her human, Gloria, to the past to remember her childhood when she had a filly of her own. Gloria shared that the training … [Read more...]
A Change of Color
The light cool breeze strokes and folds the golden tops of the drying grass. Patches of soft blue-green sage bushes sprinkled with scatterings of deep golden sunflowers accent and contrast the smooth water-like flow of the grass. Light moisture hangs in the air and the Rocky Mountains feel more like the east coast than the arid climate I am accustomed to. As I ride my sweet Diva along the sun-filled hillside a big bull snake slithers away from the red sandstone rock where it had been gathering warmth. There has been a change and shift, late August has arrived. I … [Read more...]
Cantering into the Sweet Nectar of Life
It was a very wet spring. Daily rains kept the land more than moist, creating slop and mud, deeper than usual and too dangerous to ride or do much at all with the horses. The coming of summer has been slow, but finally, this week it seems to have arrived. Sleeping with the windows open I now hear the birds start up their song around 5:00 am, rousing me from my deep slumber, even when my joints are aching from the labor I had given the land the day before. Each day I begin with the song of species I have not heard before and with those who are my old friends. Laying … [Read more...]
The Dynamics of Connection and Separation
The energy and concept of push and pull, in and out, touch and release, contact and disconnection, and all of the cycles of inner relationship dynamics were streaming through my consciousness before the April EFLC Level One program began. Now with a herd of six, including a barely trained mare with a strong matriarch drive, a once wild stallion with his drive, and four additional and more domesticated herd members, each day I observed their cohesiveness, protection and affection with one another, or sometimes their less affectionate and rather aggressive behavior … [Read more...]
Expand Your Heart and Life with Horse
Last month I was in the deep Southwest enjoying the early budding of spring on the desert floor and low brush of Arizona. One morning, I went out to say hello to the herd. Five glorious athletic equines came cantering down the gentle sloping hill as soon as they saw me near the gate at the bottom. Once started on this journey together, they flowed like a river with momentum and power toward me. My presence filled with grounding energy as I invited them into my space to say hello. Surrounded by a very masculine and stocky paint, a stoic and kind roan gelding, a … [Read more...]
Layla and Vulnerability
These last few months I have been totally immersed in playing with my 11 month old filly, Ginger, and her six year old momma, Layla. I knew when I made the decision to bring a pregnant mare into my herd there would be lots of growth. Boy, was I right. However, I did not realize just how much growth! Decisions create change, change creates growth and new insights open us to more possibilities. I am forever grateful that I brought in this mare. Her baby, Ginger, is proving to be a very intelligent, calm and gentle little filly who has already investigated so much here … [Read more...]
The Gift of Taking Action
For the last five years I had my eye on a training program. Each year it comes to Denver and each year I have found a reason not to attend. Finally, this year, I knew I needed to stop putting it off and that my whole being would benefit from attending the program—even if I did not know exactly what those benefits were ahead of time. Instead of booking the program when it would be here locally, I actually booked the program that was taking place in another state. I instinctively knew that getting away from the demands of my ranch, herd and business would allow me to … [Read more...]
The Emergence of Horse as Guide, Mentor and Spiritual Teacher
There are many ways to engage with Horse as one’s teacher, muse, spiritual guide or leadership mentor. Every coach and facilitator needs to find a style and approach that best works for them—AND their horse. It is a complex and mysterious unfolding bringing unexpected turns and delights as one’s relationship with their co-facilitator deepens. Remember to ask your horse what he or she wants to do in this type of work. During sessions it is imperative to watch, with our eyes open. Notice closely the subtleties of body movements, eyes, quality of presence and the … [Read more...]
Is Horse Part of Your Vision in Life?
A “Vision” is big. Something that is often unattainable, but keeps us moving forward in creating and expanding. One sets their vision high for this purpose. My vision in life is . . . To create the opportunity for every individual in the world to experience the power of Horse to expand their heart and presence. You know as well I do that the statement above is a BIG vision. I may never reach it but it is worth trying. If every person in the world had this experience then people would treat Horses and each other with Love, Honor and Respect. And then the whole … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas from Kathy Pike
The Ultimate Horse Experience in the Deep Woods and Mountains
When you go to the woods, the deep woods in the mountains, you come back a different person. For many years now I have been dedicated to developing my life’s work. Originally inspired during a river trip on the Tatshenshini River in Alaska I left the wilderness to give back and be of service. Leaving the mountains, rivers and canyons that I once traveled on a regular basis, I studied massage and energy therapy, became a life coach, and stepped into offering programs with horses, writing books, marketing and teaching others. All of which I enjoy, but it pulled me away … [Read more...]
Is This Your Time to Answer the Call of Horse?
The last few notes I have been sending out have been about helping you to see what stops you from being fully on the path with Horse, or really any other endeavor you continue to push aside. This week I want to share a true confession. 14 years ago I sent three of my clients off to do the work with horses. I stayed back, mucking stalls at a non-profit, trying to make my situation (the inability to take the program) “right.” I had no horse and I lived in a one-bedroom very expensive apartment outside of Boulder, Colorado. A horse program without a horse just … [Read more...]
Are You Making the Right Choices for YOU?
The last few months I have talked with several women wanting to come into the EFLC Certification Program. With each call I am filled with joy, tears of recognition, and often sorrow and compassion. Each call presents a different conversation. What are the most common reasons that stop women from investing in their purpose, passion and desire to partner with HORSE? The most common reason, and often it is not even the REAL reason, is money. You may think that it is a lack of money. However, this is actually not the truth. Often it is the inability to nurture and … [Read more...]
Is Horse Calling You?
I remember how I felt when making the decision to enroll in an EFL training program. I was fickle, doubting, worried, nervous and scared. Then, at other times, I would find myself calm, collected, trusting and secure on my path. I knew that it would all work out and that Horse was calling me. I would then step into that energy and trust and allow spirit to support me. This inconsistent, back and forth approach created a sandpaper effect in my life and ultimately kept me stuck in the same place. I would take an action, and then a few weeks later doubt it or sabotage … [Read more...]
Under the Shade Tree
I have been traveling the world for the last ten years sharing the wisdom of horses in the EFLC work. My work has taken me to several continents. People from more countries than I can count have been touched by the wisdom of horses and have brought the philosophies, lodged deeply in their hearts, back to their communities. During each trip there are several noteworthy moments. Many of those are at the round pen with the participants as they are learning from Horse. At each location I also experience my own significant moment with one or more of the horses I meet. … [Read more...]
Jumping Crawdads
My friend walked down to the edge of the river, (before the flood) and noticed the crawdads were jumping out of the river—literally jumping out of the river and up onto the bank. When she told an official about this obscure behavior, he asked her what time it had happened. It was precisely the same time that the big wall of water had released out of the mountains and was on its way to Longmont. Two days later, while people were frantic attempting to save their homes and find higher ground, my friend observed the Koi fish in her pond acting hyper and spastic. … [Read more...]
Moon’s Big Heart
I took Moon up for a mellow ride on Rabbit Mountain last week. Once up the hill we meandered through the meadows sprinkled with late summer flowers and cactus. His savvy hooves moved along the rocky field with grace. His quick glance to the left helped me spot the coyote that sat very still and quiet on a rock not too far away. The coyote watched us intently, never moving, even some time later when we looped back around and crossed along his way again. Every horse offers something different. There is something about moving with a horse, in silence, feeling the sun and … [Read more...]
Oprah Magazine Features an Equus Coach – Hang on for the Ride
Oprah Magazine has featured an article about the beautiful unfolding and unexpected learning that Horses can provide humans. This August issue features Koelle Simpson and her work as an Equus Coach in an article entitled Horse Sense. I am so very excited to see this article as it will only support the horses being seen and experienced as the amazing teachers that they are. Koelle, a life coach, works with Martha Beck who contributes to the Oprah Magazine on a regular basis. Koelle’s roots are based in the Monty Roberts training methods. Her style of work may be a … [Read more...]