For us, it has been a year of change. We have moved the horses to a new yard and the ponies and goats to new grazing. It has taken time for the herd to settle. Moving home for animals is similar to moving home for humans: it takes a while to adjust and become used to new surroundings, new people, other animals and routines. We have not rushed the process. We decided that we would let the animals take whatever time they needed to feel at ease in their new home. We have supported them find their own way through the change.
This unhurried approach has paid off. All the animals are happy, healthy and thriving. They are connecting with people in sessions again. We have also taken a longer term view with our sessions and are offering some people a much longer time to be in connection with the animals and with us.
I love the long view. It’s how I have always wanted to live with enough breathing space and uncluttered time to fully reach into the experience of being alive. The challenges earlier this year called us to act and that mobilised all our energy. Looking back I could say, I wished the year had been smoother. I wish the challenges hadn’t been quite so intense, and all of that is true. A smooth, free flowing, peaceful year of deep creative and collaborative community work feels like something to aspire to. What we got instead was a chance to bond more strongly as a team, to speak from the heart and to let our animals take things at their own pace. We healed wounds, we forged new connections, and through it all we found a new energy that contained all the grit, determination and loving sprit we needed. It wasn’t what we expected, but it has opened our hearts and minds to doing things differently.
We will continue to take the long view and to put our work into the world in the best way we know how. We are encouraged and supported by all our colleagues and friends. Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for believing in us. We are truly grateful. Happy New Year.
Horsemanship for Health 