My experience with Christian horse therapy has given me more healing than I could ever have imagined.
I grew up with a love for horses, shared with my dad. That was the one time he would take me out to do something, just the two of us. Later in my childhood, we moved to the city where finding horses was too difficult and I kind of fell out of the loop with that hobby.
Just before Christmas, my husband bought me tickets to see a comedian I follow on social media. I got all dressed up and was waiting on my husband to be ready. Naturally, I spent my waiting time scrolling through Facebook. A post appeared talking all about a local horse ranch offering Christian horse therapy. Immediately, I got chills and a feeling of excitement bubbled up inside.
Connecting with my childhood loves is something I’ve been trying to think about and revisit them when possible. Immediately, I messaged the woman who posted about the therapy and organized a time to go and meet the horses.
The Day of the Horse Therapy
I dropped my kids off at the grandparents’ house and made my way to the ranch. The drive was beautiful and soothing, but I was still extremely nervous. I hadn’t spent time around horses in over 20 years! I am also a nervous ball of energy when going to a new place where I don’t know the parking situation. I prayed the whole way there, and there was plenty of parking, it being a farm and all.
Everything was quiet as I followed the signs to “clinic.” When I made it up to the little clinic house, a beautiful lady named Miranda greeted me with a warm hug. Her gentle disposition immediately put my mind at ease and I knew this was going to be a good experience. We spent some time talking about some past traumas and why I was interested in horse therapy, I signed some wavers and then went out to meet the horses.
Third Time’s a Charm
I have listened to testimonies before about ranches set up for troubled teens. In the experiences I’ve heard, there are many times when a horse has been through a similar trauma or has a similar temperament to some of the teens. When they’re paired up, they help heal each other. I wanted that. My gut told me that there was a horse at this very place that would be just for me.
The first horse I was paired with was Sarge. He was a beautiful horse but very large. I could feel from him that he was uncomfortable with me. You see, he was the owner of the ranch’s (Joe) horse. Although he was trained for this therapy, he clearly wanted to be with his person. As soon as Joe left the pen, Sarge walked away from me and toward him. I stepped back and let him–he’s a big boy and I was nervous since he was nervous.
Next, Joe brought in 2 horses. “This one comes as a set.” Two gorgeous chestnut horses came into the pen with me, and I was already smitten. Joe came and showed me a bit about how to set the horses up for the therapy time. Once they were ready, I stepped up to the horse nearest me. I wrapped one arm around his neck and had one arm on his back, as directed. Joe prayed with me and then left the pen. As soon as he left, the horse I was holding onto decided it was time to eat some grass. I let him go as I could sense his discomfort with me as well. Immediately, the other horse stepped right up to me. Somehow we both knew, he was my horse.
The Release
I cried and prayed out loud about all the things I hadn’t said to God about some of the trauma I’ve experienced. At some point I felt a release in my heart. I can’t explain it and I don’t know what exactly happened scientifically or spiritually. I guess it was a finalization of the forgiveness I had tried to feel in my heart. You see, I had forgiven family for some trauma that happened, but I never felt the release of the forgiveness, if that makes sense. And I know in my head that forgiveness is not a feeling but a choice. I had a hard time ever feeling free down in the depths of my heart–of the hurt and pain and trauma. What I do know is that in that moment of release, something shifted in my heart and something shifted in the spiritual realm.
Since that first time going to therapy with the horses, I have attended a few more times. I see “my horse” every time, and I have been amazed at the layers of trauma that God is helping to heal. Some of it I knew about (like the first time I went), and some of it has come forth in the session as I’ve been praying out loud.
I’m sure there are many different ways to do horse therapy, but if you can find a 4BP style clinic near you, I would highly recommend it. Joe has shared all his training techniques on Youtube, and it’s different to anything I’ve ever seen. To find out more, check out his website and Youtube channel.
Related Posts:
Why You Should Add Deep Breathing to Your Life
Leave a Reply