Relational, Embodied Healing with Horses, via a Jungian and Polyvagal lens

My approach centres on honouring the sentience of my equine partners at all times and is underpinned by, among other things, The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness of 2012. This ensures that the interactions are mutually beneficial, healing and enjoyable for both humans and horses.

My work with people centres on connection and relationship to self and others; on raising consciousness through developing beautiful and respectful inter-species connections, and is further underpinned by an understanding of equine ethology; trauma-sensitive methods and Jungian depth psychology.

To do this I specifically focus on:

1) Working in true partnership with the horses I create a sacred space and energy for healing to take place in whatever shape or form is needed for the client and the horses. The horses being viewed as full, equal partners, guides and leaders of this work, where their wellbeing and fulfilment is paramount, and where I allow equine consent, choice and freedom at all times. This ensures the welfare, enjoyment and healing of the horses involved. I also draw from the lessons of many hours observing semi-feral and fully domesticated horses, and an understanding of the horse's evolutionary biology and needs through ethology, and how impacted the horse's innate drives and needs are through the process and lifestyle of domestication of horses.

2) Using a Somatic approach where the body is regarded as the primary gateway into a deeper connection to ourselves, our feelings, needs and desires, our unconscious-selves, and authentic relationship with ourselves and others, including the horses. As well as being the portal into our own sustainable, long-term healing and growth.

3) Focussing on the wisdom of emotions as information and working closely with our emotional selves for greater balance, regulation and self-awareness.

4) Employing a grounded, spiritual and practical approach, bringing spirit and matter, mind and body, soma and psyche together, which allows the horses to be the natural teachers and guides that they are capable of being, as well as working in harmony with the whole of the natural world of which we are a part. 

5) An understanding that both humans and domesticated horses are in urgent need of rediscovering their true-selves and living more authentically. This is achieved through shedding accumulated layers of conditioning, expectations, roles and habitual responses. Then both horses and people can begin to live with more freedom in their hearts, minds and bodies and unshackle themselves from the roles, expectations and parameters which keep them small.

6) Working in the embodied, physical realm, but we also enter into the subtle-body realm: the place of intuition, the Soul's whispers and even psychic insights at times. I enjoy exploring the dream, mythic, symbolic and archetypal realm that horses also effortlessly inhabit, inviting this into our work together when beneficial. As well as drawing on Shamanic wisdom, insights and practices.

7) My approach to care of the horses is natural and holistic. I am passionate about horses living as naturally as possible in herds all year round and being able to eat natural forage, plants and herbs. I also support the horses I work with through a wide range of natural remedies and supplements to emulate their natural lifestyle as far as possible within domesticated settings. You can read more about my approach to care and support of horses in Chapter 15 of my book, The Horse Leads the Way.