Horse Magic
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 pm ()
Me and Stella
Anyone who has ever had a pet or watched wild animals in their habitat knows how amazingly magical, majestic, intuitive, and healing animals can be. As a horsegirl when I was little, there was no creature in the world that epitomized magic and power, grace and beauty more than horses. I dreamt of them, I drew them (they were the only thing I could draw), I rode them, I pined for them. After a very traumatic fall when I was 12, I stopped riding, and horses drifted into the back of my mind, replaced by junior high, boys and fashion, grades and after-school sports, college applications and then learning to live on my own.
This past year shifted all that. After losing three family members, having a very serious health scare of my own, and being in the midst of that widespread (but no less poignant for being so) 21 year old (well, 16-forever) crisis of self and purpose and meaning, I found my mind drifting back to horses over and over, pining for them again in a way I hadn’t since I was 8 years old, seeking not only that solace and peace they had given me, but also that sense of power and purpose and passion that I was so desperately trying to pull together from the threads surrounding me that might become the makings of my “adult” life.
So I decided to start taking lessons again. I got in touch with an old friend, Ariana, who had put me on a horse for the first time when I was 6 years old, and scheduled a lesson. When I got up there, I never even got on a horse. We ended up talking for two hours, and I learned that she had co-founded the Equine Guided Education Association, an association dedicated to helping, teaching, and guiding self development through horses, and that she had a three week program starting the very next week! Now, I had heard of all of the many ways in which horses were impacting lives in various programs—rehabilitating those with eating disorders, children with mental disabilities, children from abusive homes, psychiatric patients, and more. But, I had never heard of a coaching and self development through horses program that I myself could be a part of. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into, but I signed up….
And it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. In those three weeks, I reconnected with horses, with myself, with the earth…discovered goals, learned to stand up for myself and stop bowing to everyone’s wishes, let go of some baggage I had been carrying around, and left cleared-eyed and bushy tailed, ready to take on the world. That’s just the important stuff 
…I also painted horses, held baby goats, ate yummy food, played with the horses, and made amazing friends! More than any therapist I had ever seen or any book I had ever read, these horses healed me and helped me grow and expand, and the process continues every day.
If anyone is interested in finding out more about the EGEA here is the website http://www.equineguidededucation.org, and here is Ariana’s ranch website www.skyhorseranch.com where you can learn about the various programs that she offers.
Oh, and you know what else? I’m back in the saddle, riding twice a week!
Riding at Sunset
m said,
November 23, 2009 at 11:33 pm
You are back and you are getting whole. Congratulations Amy!
Daniel & Olga said,
November 24, 2009 at 10:12 am
Hi Amy ~ Glad to see you riding and smiling and working on a worthwhile goal! We had 2 standardbreds for a year or so – one went to an Amish family & we found a nice farm for the older one’s retirement.
Karen Anne said,
November 25, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I am so sorry to read that your dog is ill.
Melissa said,
November 25, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Dear Amy,
Like you, I stopped riding after I was thrown from a horse the summer before sixth grade. I used to love horses and did all the things you did, drew them, collected them, took lessons. I never had my own, though. Lately I have been pulled towards them and want to bury my nose in their manes and breathe them in. I hope I can find a safe, nuturing environment to restore my confidence and face my fears. Thanks for helping me towards my goals. (and thanks for your great burritos! had one for lunch!)
Happy Trails to you!
Judith said,
November 25, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Loved this entry and especially the picture “Riding at Sunset.” Have you read books by Temple Grandin? I love her books and what she has made of her life.
We have a lovely border collie/beagle rescue dog named Lily, now 2. She is very comforting to us when we are sick. And a delight all the time. I also love horses though haven’t been around them much.
Trudy said,
November 25, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Dear Amy,
Your entry touched me a great deal. I believe that animals are quite special. Horses, like other animals “know” so much more about us than most people give them credit for.
Working with critters can be one of the most rewarding experiences one can have.
Your sensitivity toward them and others is bound to lead to great things for you. (I love that you were painting them: I am an artist.)
As a fan of your blog and a happy Amy’s Kitchen product consumer (everything we have eaten with your brand has been just so good!), I am sitting here happy that I visited the blog today. What a lovely person you are.
All the best.
zoe moffatt said,
November 28, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Hi Amy,
That’s all cool but, your Macaroni & Cheese is kinda mean… on the portion size. We’re greedy for macaroni over here in London-taste fab tho
Cheers
Zoe
Jamie Stern said,
February 9, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Hi Amy, Good information for everyone. I worked with a therapy dog group and know what a major impact animals can have on all people…and helping those of us who participate in the process! Good Luck to you.
Jen Scarlott said,
February 10, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Amy, I found your blog because I am a fan of Amy’s Kitchen… and because I am an “animal person”… I work on things like tiger conservation with an environmental organization in India called Sanctuary. You are going to have a wonderful life as an adult because you are brave, loving and smart. If you’ve never had a chance to read Eckhart Tolle, you might want to pick up a copy of his book, The New Earth. It will give you a great deal of comfort, and thoughts about how to live your life as you move into your twenties. I wish Tolle had been writing when I was your age! Thank you for the lovely post about “horse therapy,” keep going!
Paula M said,
February 14, 2010 at 7:54 pm
There is nothing so good for the inside of a person as the outside of a horse. Can’t remember who said that, but it’s OH! so true!
Gabbi Holdridge said,
March 25, 2010 at 6:41 pm
I am glad that you are back onto riding and feeling whole again. Horses are amazing animals and I love it when you ride after a long hard day and relax; become one with the world. I’m ground training my paint, but I love every minuet I have with her. I hope one day you find that special horse you have really awesome connection with. Keep up the riding and have the best time you can! Getting back up on a horse can change you thats for sure.
PS: Give some horses some carrots for me!
Nicole said,
April 16, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Dear Amy,
Horses are wonderful companions and teachers. I have enjoyed riding for many years and recommend it to anyone with an interest. Please be sure to wear a helmet whenever you are riding.
Have fun with your new adventure!
DAVID FRANK said,
May 12, 2010 at 11:11 pm
AMY, I USED TO RIDE TWO BIG WORKING HORSES WHICH I LOVED VERY MUCH. THEY BELONGED TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WHICH HAD A BIG WINE YARD AROUND SANTA CRUZ MTS WHERE I USED TO LIVED FOR A LONG TIME. TWO HEARING GIRLS AND I TOGETHER RODE ONE OF THEM. WHEN THE HORSE STARTED RUNNING, THEY AND I FELL TO A GROUND. EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE HORSE DID NOT RUN AWAY. HE JUST STOPPED AND SAW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM AND ME. THEY AND I LAUGHED HARD. AFTER THE INCIDENT I STILL RODE THEM AGAIN. NO PROBLEM.
I DID FALL FROM A HORSE WHEN I WAS A KID BUT I STILL LOVED TO RIDE A HORSE.
YES HORSE RIDE THERAPY IS EXCELLENT FOR DEAF, HOH, DEAF BLIND, HEARING PEOPLE AND OTHERS WITH DISABILITIES. IT CAN HELP US BUILD UP OUR CONFIDENCE IN OURSELVES
YOU ARE OKAY NOW CHEER UP YOURSELF. OKAY