I am ready for the warm March winds to massage the muddy ground into dry, firm terracotta so I can begin the spring work with my herd. Without an indoor arena, I am often limited by when and how I can work with my herd. I could pine for what I do not have, or I can get creative with what I do have.
The harsh winter months give my horses time off as they focus on eating and staying warm. As spring rolls in, the muddy days are spent grooming and doing the subtle groundwork in the dry spots of the over-sized paddocks. Sometimes I will work with two horses at a time. I play with the mucky manure-stained puddles, asking for one foot in and then the other. We move back, forward, sideways, and the entire time I am focusing on how subtle my cues can be from the ground. They stand for photos, jump puddles, and get treats. The work is mostly fun mixed with “Are you listening to me now?” exercises.
Last week the land was dry enough, so I spent just a little bit of time with each horse in the round pen. Evaluating each of my horses as spring approaches is of utmost importance to me. After months of being in smaller areas, having limited time off the property, and having not been ridden or asked to do much at all, I want to reestablish our communication, and also understand where my horses’ states of mind are.
Additionally, with icy land through the winter months and with Corazon’s tendency to get excited and run the others off his food, I also want to see how each horse is within his or her body. Diva, for instance, moved out around the round pen on one side with ease and grace from a walk, to trot, and then a canter. However, when I asked for the same in the reverse direction, what she offered was the biggest buck I have ever seen her exhibit. One might think she was getting her spring ya ya’s out, or that she was being disagreeable and challenging my request. The truth of what I saw and felt was that her back and shoulder were “out” enough that she dramatically displayed her discomfort while simultaneously trying to self-adjust her misaligned structure. Her muscles along her spine were ropey and tight and her discomfort obvious.
Corazon with Kathy – he loves his pedestal.
This week I will work with Corazon. I hope that he goes right back to his new “Spanish Walk” and that his body and mind are ready for interaction. I suspect that Ginger might offer a little spice and opinion, with me asking her to move on out, as she, at the age of four, is pushing lots of boundaries and working her way through the herd with dominant behaviors. We will see, and I will be prepared for what she has to offer. Wishing to use more dominant horses in my EFLC programs, preparing them correctly so that both the client’s and the horses’ emotional, mental and physical safety is considered is important.
Moon is the exception to this, as he is no longer ridden. I do work with him, but I play and engage with him in the round pen. This is primarily for his state of mind so that he understands he is still healthy and able to do some moving work, even if he is not being ridden. I do not want for him to feel that he has been put “away,” never to be interacted with (except for programs). That feels disrespectful and would give him the message that he is “done,” which may only then translate to him “letting go” on all levels. He is a valuable teacher in this herd and has been the rock of the program from its inception. He receives grooming with hands followed by what I call our “dance,” a sweet, flowing, connecting that fills my heart until I feel it wanting to burst.
We await you. My entire herd is ready for you, and ready to teach you important aspects about your soul’s purpose, your true authentic self, and the shadow-side of yourself that you can put down to align with your work here on earth. They are masters, penetrating, deep, often direct, and sometimes very playful. We invite you to take the step toward this experience as you also transition from your winter into spring.
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Ways to Engage with Kathy . . . .
Onsite Workshop: Soul Emergence: Find Your True Self in the Herd
Coaching with Horse – Emotional Intelligence and Energy Mastery (EFLC Level One Training Program)
Now Online! Imagine a life where you are living your purpose while partnering with horses and making a significant impact on others’ well-being. Every day you feel warmth and expansion in your heart because you are finally living your calling. You are a conduit for positive change and deep connections.
One with Horse – with Kathy Pike, from anywhere in the world
The One with Horse online journey is a magical and inspiring six-week transformational process of exploration that will honor the invisible communication, unspoken understanding, and deep channel of exchange possible with horses. The program includes:
- 6 weeks of in-depth videos and tutorials to guide you in explicit detail through each step of the program.
- Meditations to bring you in line with your authentic self and open the connection with your horse.
- Detailed processes and methods to assist you with taking your relationship with your horse to the next level.
- Worksheets to help you document and guide yourself through the experiences and emotions that are brought to the surface.
- A very special releasing and reclaiming ritual.
- Tips on how to progress through active work with your horse.
- A special session on how to receive deep healing from your horse
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Inspiring true stories of how horses teach humans and heal their hearts. Horses are sensitive creatures with hearts 
ten times larger than humans and much more to share with us than meets the eye. Life Lessons offers poignant short stories about the trials and tribulations of befriending horses. Equine expert Kathy Pike brings you on a healing journey that includes lessons a wild horse taught her, how horses teach humans in her equine facilitated learning programs, and personal insights about living off the land and engaging with the dynamics of a herd each day.
My favorite interview to date. I fell in love with Frederieke and enjoyed my time with her so much…
Kathy Pike, found of The Academy for Coaching with Horses, is interviewed by Frederieke Karin van der Lijn for Oude Wijsheid – Nieuw Bewustzijn
(Ancient Wisdom – New Consciousness).
Thank you Kathy. We are a little behind you in that my land is still covered with 3 to 10 inches of snow. But I am grooming iand handling my little herd and looking forward to new interactions with them. My relationships with them have already started to change as I prepare to do work with you and Jackie. Looking forward to June, Shipley
So ready to experience one of your programs. Horses have always been a true part of my existence. They are true soul partners. Hope to see all soon..