The Academy for Coaching with Horses

Elevate Consciousness through Love, Honor and Respect

Get a Handle on Fear

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When I came back to working with horses, after being thrown and dragged, I had a lot of inner work to do around fear. My horse Moon helped me work through my fears while riding. I practice the Mind Body Method (a coaching process I developed) to slow down my automatic responses and stay present in my body. Moon helped me integrate new positive ways to be with my fear instead of the old trauma loops and breakdowns based in dissociation. … [Read more...]

What Do I Do After an Equine Learning Workshop?

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During a week long Equine Facilitated Learning workshop here in Colorado, that focused on exploring one’s authenticity and emotional agility with horses, a participant asked one question several times. The question she asked was: “How do I know what to do if I don’t know my final vision?” This questioned plagued her. She felt stuck about taking any action in her life. I suggested she listen to and take action towards the next thing that would bring her happiness. I suggested she listen to her heart and inner guidance. Each time she follows what feels best to … [Read more...]

Little Horse, Big Heart

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Corazon de la Montana taught his first group of students in EFLC work. Corazon, black and brown in color, small in size and BIG in energy and heart touched each person. Before the group arrived I placed Corazon in the round pen. He stood and watched as the cars slowly drove down the long driveway. Once all of the participants were seated outside of the round pen Corazon walked over to them and stood silently. Slowly his eyes gazed upon each person blinking occasionally. I asked the group what they were experiencing with Corazon; no one spoke. They all … [Read more...]

Don’t Put me Down

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Corazon (aka Romeo) coliced on July 5th. After a stressful night he was taken to the vet at 10pm. The vet did everything he could to make him comfortable. When I arrived in the morning he had a temperature and was in complete distress. Once he stabilized they put him back into his tiny white stall. It was a long day. I was alone and the only thing I knew that I could do was to massage him. I massaged him on and off for six hours stopping only to take him out to walk. I had to leave him at 9:00pm. When I walked into my home the phone rang, it was the vet letting … [Read more...]

What Does Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching Mean?

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Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching Finding the right words to express the special way that horses help humans to grow their awareness has been a thought provoking process. I have chosen to use Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching (EFLC) as I see it includes the horse and the human as partners in providing personal and professional growth experiences for individuals and groups. I reflected on the meaning of each word: … [Read more...]

Divine Timing is Perfect Timing

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Corazon de la Montana, a 7 year-old mustang, deemed un-trainable and un-rideable by BLM (Bureau of Land Management), was branded with the numbers 5298 on his hip and placed in a holding facility to live the rest of his life, along with thousands of other mustangs that will never see freedom again. The holding facility might be called a ‘reservation’ for mustangs. One year ago I adopted Corazon from Ginger Kathrens who has been filming the Pryor Mountain Herd for the past 15 years. She was able to get Corazon out of the holding facility. Corazon (also called … [Read more...]

Broken Trust….Mended

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It seems that at some point in every relationship there is a chance that trust will be broken. The question is if it can be repaired, mended, and eventually create even a deeper level of connection and bond. Corazon de la Montana, sometimes also called Romeo, continues to teach me about the importance of trust in a relationship. His wild ways and highly tuned instincts examine my motives and my levels of leadership every day I see him. I am convinced he knows me better than I know myself. … [Read more...]

Horse Dancing

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A few weeks ago I facilitated Advanced Equine Facilitated Learning workshop here in Colorado. There are several components to the advanced work, including horse dancing. Horse dancing is a way to explore fluid movement and connection with a horse with no set instructions or plan on what will transpire during the dance. Each participant selects the horse they want to dance with and the music which most resonates with them. Typically in these sessions when a person is body-centered, free of agendas and fully present to the moment, the horse, and the music, a … [Read more...]

Standing with the Herd

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Corazon has been in training for the past two months. It has been a wonderful growth period for him and I marvel as he demonstrates a high desire to understand what is being asked of him. He wants to please. It is important to blend training with other unexpected moments of sharing. These moments keep your horse curious and excited about interacting with you. It breaks up the flow and prevents redundancy. Yesterday, I arrived at the barn and Hugh, my trainer, was not there. I decided to walk on out to the gelding pasture. On the far side I saw Corazon. He … [Read more...]

Corazon de la Montana – Summer Check In

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Corazon is doing well! He has been a great partner with the groundwork. He now allows me to lift all of his feet, he understands my commands with a stick and a rope and moves around me willingly with grace and strength. He backs into all the gates I can find on the ranch, has been in the indoor arena, and easily jumps over the small jumps I make for him. I have begun to prepare him for the saddle and he is learning to accept the blanket and also some tightness around his girth. Each day we do something different and I move deliberately and confidently with him, … [Read more...]

Welcome a New Member of the Herd – Corazon de la Montana

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A new member of my herd has arrived. His name is Corazon de la Montana, which means Heart of the Mountain in Spanish. Corazon is 14.2 hands, his coloring looks black, with some deep brown around his nose. Officially he is called a Brown.  Corazon was labeled as unadoptable and untrainable by the BLM, branded with the numbers 5293 on his butt, and placed into a holding facility. The holding facility is pretty much a dead end place for horses who were previously free on public lands. Holding facilities are a dead end for wild horses. Once there they will spend … [Read more...]

Welcome

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The Academy for Coaching with Horses provides programs and retreats to up-level leadership skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence through the interaction with horses. Love, Honor, and Respect are our guiding principles. Horses provide life-altering experiences and bring forward one’s truth, authenticity, and deep-seated life purpose and passion. If you would like to explore the power of horses to enhance your life path and relationships, The Academy for Coaching with Horses is the right place for you. Our offerings include onsite and online professional … [Read more...]