She spent the winter at one of our wonderful foster homes, where love, care and commitment to her welfare was absolute. Thank you so much Anne!

As Spring got into full swing, Sassalita came to our Healing Horses home, to receive ongoing rehabilitation and connection. She progressed quickly and became calm and willing to engage with Katie. But she still seemed to be more comfortable on her own.

After a few weeks, we took in another mare with a very sweet disposition and they immediately connected – within minutes! And now they share a pasture and wooded area together. Happy and content, and connecting more every day.

Sassalita is proving to be a true Healing Horse. She has an extraordinary ability to connect to people in need – those humans who have suffered at the hands of others in some way. The only remnant of her past? … the tattoo scar on her shoulder – the mark of cruel deeds. It is a reminder to us, as it should be – we will not forget!

So today, she has found not only a new best equine friend, but also a forever loving home at Healing Horses, where she is adored. We will do everything in our power to protect her. She is a member of our family now.

Sadly, part of her story, prior to arriving at Healing Horses, includes abuse at the hands of some cruel individuals who destroyed one of her eyes with a cattle-prod.

But, despite this terrible trauma, “amazingly” she has shown a willingness to forgive humankind and has moved forward to become a wonderful riding horse. She is spirited, yet kind. And she is spectacular to watch running free.

She spent an extended period of time in rehabilitation with wonderful foster parents, where she became loved and admired.

And just in the last few weeks, she has been adopted into a great new forever loving home. We wish her happiness, love and a secure and contented life in her new home. She deserves it now. We will stay in touch ….

As chance would have it (or was it a miracle?) they both came to Healing Horses within days of each other. Mother Anna first and then Angel.

Did providence bring them back together, from different homes, where at the same time their separate owners were no longer able to care for them?

Whatever forces were at work, we were delighted to witness this wonderful reunion between mum and daughter. They recognized each other straight away and affectionately snuzzled each others necks. During the days that followed they became inseparable.

The wonderful news is, they were both adopted together into their new family at Christmas time

What a wonderful gift all round. They are now living happily – together – forever.

A basic communication principal we abide by at Healing Horses is that:

All horses connect with us and learn more easily when they are relaxed and calm.

Shaman & Katie

This may seem obvious, but we regularly observe situations where the horse and handler are struggling to move forward in whatever activity they are attempting. From simply coming together, to cleaning and brushing, to haltering, to saddling … and unfortunately (because it gets more dangerous) to mounting and riding.

To avoid this and to build the foundation for basic communication that works, every one of us must first understand that when we go to our horses, we are the ones with the agenda, not them. They do not have an expectation of what is going to happen. We do. And often we have a time line, which immediately puts stress and tension into the situation. As well as all the other things on our mind.

To complicate matters and make things more difficult for us, our horses read us (and our intention) far better than we read them. They can read our mood, understand our attitude and feel our energy from a considerable distance. Many owners, unless they have great experience and meticulous study, do not read their horses well. And if they do, they know they will never stop learning.

Shaman "reading"

So, as a first step, before you even get out of the car or think about approaching your horse, take a few deep breaths and try to relax yourself. Try to clear your mind of everything except thoughts of you and your horse spending wonderful time together – preferably quietly and alone. Imagine just being with your horse, or walking freely with him/her. Clear your mind of its noise! One way to do this is to pick up on the sound of a birds song, or listen to the crickets or the sound of the breeze blowing through the trees. Connect with nature and be still with her sounds before you reach out. It will take you a step closer to your horses world.

As you start to approach, make all your movements calm and relaxed. Be quiet and be gentle as you enter your horses space. Then keep your voice low and reassuring. All these things will create an atmosphere of trust.

Be observant and look for these 7 signs that your horse is relaxing:

1) The head lowers

2) Licking and chewing

3) Sighing, with slow and steady breathing

4) Yawning

5) Cocking of the hind leg

6) Soft eyes, ears forward & responsive to sound

7) All muscles visibly relaxed

Remember, your horse is reading your body language at all times. So, to ensure the clearest communication with them, we must make sure we are present with them in the moment. We must quietly concentrate on being with them, not being somewhere else in our thoughts.

If your horse is irritable, stressed or uncooperative – think before you respond. Because their actions will be the result of them mirroring back to you your own unresolved issues.They are that way, because you are ….

It is rarely the horse

Our wish for all of you is a happy, healthy and mutually respectful relationship with your horse. Many horses become labeled as troublesome, dangerous or unmanageable. If we all become more capable of understanding them, and take the time to meet them in that wonderful space between our worlds, then there will be fewer who end up becoming unwanted and unloved.

However, it didn’t take many days for us to realize how intelligent she was and to start watching her become alert to her surroundings. She quickly connected with Morocco and they both started to make great strides together.

As she became stronger, she began her rehabilitation and incredibly, despite her prior treatment, she showed an amazing willingness to connect with people. She also displayed a very quiet and relaxed personality – what lessons she was teaching us.

Through the Spring months Sister Cloud has gained weight and grown. She is now happy and healthy and kicking up her heels with her two best friends Morocco and Mojo.

Oh, and she loves the two-leggeds at Healing Horses and almost always leaves her little herd to come for attention. Today she just wanted to pose for her anniversary picture.

Because of her gentle disposition she is easy to connect with, but her very special gift is forming heartfelt bonds with people seeking solace in their lives. She really is a Healing Horse.

Indigenous people and their horses living as one with the land, never claiming ownership with papers in hand.

Now as the nations hoop is struggling to revive, with all her fury, Mother Nature shows change is coming with Sundance Spirits strong and alive …….

You lent me your freedom in place of my fear and guided me home to Mother Earth dear

Where again I see rainbows and butterflies bright blue, in the light of your truth I believed in you

Through your generous Spirit you helped me to cope, replacing past with the present, changing fear to hope

And now as we heal with love and grace, the old wounds are soothed, gently nursed in this place.

Thank you my friend. I am eternally grateful.

Katie xoxo

Look deeply in and you will begin to see who you really are

Meet Brother Bear

We will tell you about rescues, ongoing progress of rehab, our adoptions, healing hearts news, coverage of our events and other interesting happenings. There is always a lot going on, so we will have plenty to share.

We will also use this section to send out special notices, requests for emergency help, and any urgent needs as they arise.

Our first Healing Horses Update will be at the end of June, 2011. Just a couple of weeks away ….

So make sure you join our emailing list (at the bottom right of any page on the web site) to receive these news-filled posts (NOTE: your information is kept private)

Thanks for visiting. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Katie & the Healing Horses

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See you all soon!!