25 Dec Give Yourself a Hoof Up?
I met Sara a few years ago when we were both presenting at a Trauma Conference in Belfast, Ireland. I immediately knew she was a kindred soul. This post by Sara Willerson is about the healing work Sara does with horses.
Sara B. Willerson, LCSW is a private practice therapist in Pilot Point, Texas who incorporates Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy into her work with clients. Together with her equine partners, they invite all ages to come and experience the healing power of the horse! For more information, please visit their website: www.horsesheartandsoul.com.
The gift of the horse is to present the hidden pieces of our heart in order to reconnect on our journey toward fulfillment of our soul. Horses have the instinctive gift of mirroring what is going on in our lives. From the moment we step into their presence, horses can sense those feelings we keep private.
Recently I was working with a client, “Serena”, and we were reviewing her progress and milestones throughout her healing journey. We also discussed approaching the holiday season and ways she could continue to support herself.
She reminded me of her first session with the horses and shared a powerful moment she experienced with Magno, the ginormous Andalusian/Percheron gelding in our herd. Serena had not previously shared this exchange with me and I was absolutely intrigued.
She remembered meeting the horses during her first session, saying “Hello,” and beginning to create a relationship with all of them. When she approached Magno, he raised his huge head and looked at her. Then she said he stepped closer to her. Serena put her hand on his shoulder and he returned to grazing. In this moment she began thinking about the traumatic experience that brought her to therapy.
Serena said she was overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and painful memories. With her hand still on his shoulder, Magno moved closer to her and she felt like all the sadness “left my body and went away.” She went on to say, “Magno took all my pain away. I felt really good again and I had not felt this in so long. It was like he gave me a hoof up.”
As we begin the holiday season, I have found myself thinking a lot about Serena’s experience and her words of getting a Hoof Up. Holidays can be stressful times for many people and it does not matter what you are working with in your life; addiction, past wounds, anger, sadness, loneliness, or even a sense of disconnect from life itself.
Typically when we find ourselves surrounded by the past, our old, internalized ways of coping tend to present very quickly. Almost like an old worn in coat that comes to settle on our shoulders that used to provide us protection. But really this coat is what blocks us from the wonderful authentic self we are and way too often keep hidden inside.
Naturally my first response to anyone is, “Go find a horse to hang out with and hug” but clearly this is not always an option. So consider this instead. Who or What in your life gives you a “Hoof Up?”
Is there a beautiful place you like to go that brings peace and serenity? An environment that helps that protective old coat fall away to the ground? Are there people who have come into your life that just always seem to say exactly what you needed to hear in that moment? Do you have animals in your life that see your shining self there on the inside and bring that smile back out? Is there an object you have that just brings you right back to the core of your being whenever it is around?
I invite you to take a minute to inventory what makes you, YOU! Maybe you imagine Magno standing right there with you, inviting you to put your hand on his shoulder. He will see all those glorious, special aspects that you are. Can you see them?
Will you give yourself the gift this holiday season of a Hoof Up?