HEALING POWER OF THE HORSE
Simply being in the presence of a horse can bring a profound sense of well-being and tranquility. Studies confirm that interacting with horses offers numerous physiological advantages, such as reduced blood pressure and heart rate, a boost in beta-endorphins, and lower stress levels. Additionally, it can diminish feelings of anger, hostility, tension, and anxiety, while enhancing social skills and fostering a greater sense of empowerment, trust, patience, and self-confidence.
IT IS TIME
FOR OUR STORY
“Wherever man has left his footprints in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization, we find the hoofprint of a horse beside it.”
~John Trotwood Moore
Why Horses are the best coach of your life
Horses are natural Gestaltists living in the present moment, authentic and honest with their feelings. They are natural born healers, all having their own unique ability to heal. Horses are not trained to do this type of coaching, they do it naturally, willingly and unselfishly.
Horses are incredibly intelligent, clairsentient, magnificent healing creatures that have bravely served for and with humans since their domestication approximately 5000-6000 years ago.
Horses have unselfishly given their hearts, bodies, physical strength and even their lives while serving humans. Upon their backs they have carried us, our burdens, our wagons and plows, they work alongside of us and have died with us and beneath us in our search of land, food, riches, adventures, survival and wars.
Freely giving their hearts, healing, connection and love, horses are still serving humans today in many capacities and programs around the world. You do not need to search long or hard to see and hear about their healing ability and the positive impact upon those they serve. Equine-assisted therapy and Equine-assisted learning are a part of healing and learning programs around the world.
CHECK out the article How Your Horse Models Good Mental Health Practices for You – Horse and Rider as featured in Horse and Rider Magazine’s Mental Health Awareness Month series, as Melisa Pearce, the founder of Touched by a Horse and creator of the Equine Gestalt™ coaching method, explains how horses are your best coach whether your own or your Equine Gestalt coaching partner.
CHECK out the article More than a Mirror – Horse and Rider featured in Horse and Rider Magazine’s Mental Health Awareness Month series, as Melisa Pearce, the founder of Touched by a Horse and creator of the Equine Gestalt™ coaching method, explains how horses whether your own or your Equine Gestalt coaching partner can pick up on your energy vibrational field.
Horses as Energy Sensors
As prey animals, horses are highly attuned and highly sensitive to their environments. They are experts at sensing vibrational fields and body language and can feel the slightest shift of energy in any human or animal.
Your energy shifts and body language changes based upon the emotions that you show up with in any given moment. Horses sense these shifts and changes and based upon what they receive, will respond to you in different ways.
Horses are intelligent, intuitive beings that seek congruence and authenticity, the alignment of your mind, body and spirit, the realness and truth of your emotions. When you reach a state of congruence, when you are grounded in your body, honest with yourselve and feeling your emotions, then your mind, body and soul become aligned.
The horses feel this shift in energy and will then move to join us, to help you in self-discovery and to validate your truths. My horse partner may respond by trusting and partnering with you and by clearing and balancing your energy centers.
Likewise, the horse can also sense when what you say, think and feel are not in true alignment. The horse may decide to ignore you, pantomime or mirror your thoughts, energy and behavior or use their own body language and herd dynamics to give valuable feedback that helps guide you into mind, body and soul alignment on your trail of self-discovery.
It is when you become authentic and congruent, that true healing, self-compassion, happiness and serenity can emerge.
Learn to Face the Fear with Touched By a Horse – Horse and Rider
Listen in as Melisa Pearce, the creator of the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method explains healing and energy balancing by horses and learn how to prevail over fear and face your doubts through Equine Gestalt coaching.
As an Equine Gestaltist, I am trained to help you discover and understand the emotional blocks you’re holding onto. Through our Equine Gestalt coaching sessions, you can release those emotional blocks to experience hope, happiness and serenity.
Research Studies
Research_The-Horse-Human-Heart-Connection-1 (1)
Effects of Short-Term Human-Horse Interactions on Human Heart Rate
This page contains just a few of the many research studies confirming the healing power of horses.
More Proof- the healing heart of Horses
Connecting Hearts: Understanding the Research of the Symbiotic Relationship Between Horses and Humans- HeartMath Institute
Here’s an intriguing fact: when we are near a horse displaying a coherent heart pattern, indicative of an efficient stress response system, something remarkable occurs. Within 30 seconds of contact with a horse, our heart rate can synchronize with the horse’s, bringing it to a similar level. This interaction can then have a positive effect on us.
In the video below, the HeartMath Institute shares just a few key research findings on the heart connections between people and horses.
Equine Gestalt Coaching Method Scientific Study
%
Agreed they felt better about themselves at the conclusion of the Equine Gestalt Coaching session than at its beginning.”
%
Would participate in this coaching program again.
%
Agreed they felt more hopeful about their future at the conclusion of the Equine Gestalt Coaching session than at its beginning.
The above numbers represent the results from the most recent 2018-2019 research study that validates the effectiveness of the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method (EGCM).
THESE STUDIES HAVE SCIENTIFICALLY AND STATISTICALLY PROVEN THAT THE EQUINE GESTALT COACHING METHOD (EGCM) CAN HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON IMPROVING THE EMOTIONAL STATE IN CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS IN THE POPULATIONS STUDIED.
The 2017 and 2018-2019 research studies were performed using the Likert Item Survey that represents each client’s scaled response to questions that examined the relationship between the EGC Method and the change in emotional feelings of hopefulness, self-esteem, self-worth, perception of the quality of the services received and the clients continuing interest in participating in EGCM. Surveys were given privately and anonymously. All surveys collected were included in the data analysis.
Due to the phenomenal success of the first study in 2017, a larger 12 month study was conducted in 2018-2019 to examine the efficacy of the EGCMethod on multiple, diverse populations.
The 2018-2019 study was performed by six EGCM certified coaching practitioners and included 180 private and anonymous surveys from participants ranging in age from pre-teen to late adult from various demographics including:
- addiction and recovery clients
- youth in crisis
- dentists
- attorneys and members of the legal profession
- pre-teens, teens and family members
- small business owners
THE RESULTS WERE ASTOUNDING. DEMONSTRATING THE STATISTICAL SUCCESS, PROVING AND SUBSTANTIATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EGCMETHOD ABOVE AND BEYOND EQUINE ASSISTED THERAPY AS A WHOLE.
The first study conducted was a 2017 independent research study pioneered by Jaclyn S. Manzione, M.S., EGCM Certified and Lead Analyst G. Thomas Manzione, Ph.D., LPC. This research study was on the relationship between the EGC Method, developed by Melisa Pearce, founder of Touched by a Horse and the feelings and emotions of clients working with program graduate Jaclyn Mazione, M.S., EGCM Certified.
The population studied included 73 random anonymous surveys from young adults ranging in age from 12-24 who were homeless with a significant history of trauma, mental illness and substance abuse. The findings demonstrated that there was an INCREASE in the client’s feelings of hopefulness, self-esteem, self-worth and desire to further participate in EGC sessions.
Equine Gestalt
Gestalt is the quest for wholeness
The EGCMethod is:
• Wholeness, present moment, holistic, experiential, healing, somatic
• Equine-partnered coaching with each session as unique as you are
• For ANYONE wanting success, happiness and positive lasting change
• Scientifically & Statistically PROVEN. Non-diagnostic method ” No Labels “
• PRICELESS. Deeply powerful, truly transformative positive life experience
You are in the right place if …
• You are not living the life you truly want, not realizing your true potential
• You feel confused, stuck, numb or struggle to make positive decisions
• You have experienced ANY traumatic event, loss, grief, regrets, anger
• You feel exhaustion, burnout, depression, chaos, PTSD, addiction, shame
• YOU ARE READY to experience clarity, healing, success and happiness
Gestalt is a way of life, the serenity way of life. Clearing our unfinished business, living life authentically and in the present moment creates a life filled with joy, success and serenity. Equine Gestalt Coaching opens the door to your inner soul creating possibilities.
The Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® was developed by Melisa Pearce, a core founder since 1989, of the horse-human healing movement. The experiential nature of the method involves the horse as an active partner with the coach in the client’s exploratory process. The integrative approach of the equine’s interaction combined with positive coaching, somatic awareness guidance and Gestalt methodology, assists the client in examining their life and choices made with a focus on designing a positive future.
Gestalt is a person-centered, humanistic, and holistic method looking at the “wholeness” of the person. The Gestalt method holds that each person has the answers to their own happiness, though those answers may be outside of their awareness. The Gestalt “experience” helps bring the answers you seek into your awareness.
You can experience healing with you own horse partner during coaching sessions, horse experiences, workshops and retreats at Trails to Serenity!
Check out a few of the numerous articles and podcasts by Equine Gestalt founder Melisa Pearce on healing with horses.
Due to the Horse and Rider Magazine reader demographics, the articles below are also speaking to horse owners. However, you do not have to own your horse to experience this healing. At Trails to Serenity, we will partner you with a horse that can offer this magical healing experience.
The Equine Echo: How Horses Reflect Your Emotions Back to You – Horse and Rider
Horses Help Develop Emotional Intelligence – Horse and Rider
How Your Horse Models Good Mental Health Practices for You – Horse and Rider
PODCASTS
Winning Insights: How Horses Help Heal – Horse and Rider prt 1
Touched by a Horse: How Horses Help Heal – Horse and Rider prt 2
Winning Insight: Part 3 How Horses Help Heal – Horse and Rider prt 3
Meet the Horses
Our Healing Herd
Joe
Quarter Horse — born in 2009
Joe is a very sweet boy. He loves people and is always first to greet us at the pasture gate. Joe is so gentle with his coaching clients and is an amazing energy balancer.
Honeycomb
Quarter Horse — born in 2004
Sugar is very sweet with a lot of sass! She seems to be the favorite in the herd. Full of sugar and spice, she firmly though lovingly supports her humans in discovering their truth. She is our Equi-detector and knows who is in their head or their hearts!
Ginger
Quarter Horse — born in 2013
Ginger is so sweet and patient with everyone she meets! She has a quiet way of instilling confidence and self awareness in everyone she coaches. She loves being with humans, gentle scratches, and her favorite treat is peppermints!
What you need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this therapy?
Equine Gestalt Coaching is not traditional ” talk therapy ” and is non-diagnostic. No labels here, no analyzing your brain for an hour. Gestalt coaching is experiential and in the moment, meaning you will be actively engaging in a Gestalt experience that allows you to freely explore your unfinished business that is blocking you from living the life you want. Gestalt experiences are different and as unique as each individual. The Gestalt Method is well known, respected and is often used in conjuction with traditional intellectual therapies.
What can I expect?
Your coaching session will be held in a confidential, comfortable, safe space allowing you to fully immerse yourself into a deeply powerful and truly transformative coaching experience that can foster positive lasting change in your life.
We will support you with love, compassion and integrity at every interaction. Your sessions are 100% confidential. What happens at the barn stays at the barn!
What does a typical session look like?
You will be greeted upon you arrival by our horse handler who will show you the barn, arena and where to sit. Gestalt coaching happens in the present moment and explores what is coming up for you at that moment. Therefore, for you to have the best authentic experience, I do not need a lengthy history prior to our session ( we will discover your unfinished business in the actual session ) so I will meet you at the barn where we will begin your healing journey.
Due to the holistic, experiential and in the moment nature of Gestalt, our sessions are longer than traditional ” talk therapy “. Private Sessions are 90 mins in length and our Group Sessions are 2.5 to 3 hours dependeing on the number of group members and ” pieces of work ” we want to do. Our Workshops are single and multi day depending on the topic and our Retreats are multi day serenity experiences.
I am flexible with days and times as my client schedule allows. Please call me to discuss what works for you.
What should I wear and what fitness level is needed?
Our sessions are held in a comfortable environment in the barn, lounge, or outside in nature ( weather permitting of course ). Please wear comfortable clothes for the weather of the day. Closed toe shoes and clothes you can move around in are recommended as you will be walking on arena sand (loosely packed sand ) or outdoors in the gravel and grass. Your session is experiential so you may be moving around a bit, not sitting on a sofa for an hour of talk therapy.
ALL fitness levels are appropriate for Equine Gestalt Coaching. We will not be riding horses and I promise we will not be running on any trails (unless that is part of your unfinished business, lol ). All coaching sessions are set-up with your safety in mind.
What if I'm afraid of horses?
It is ok if you have fears. You will NEVER be asked to do anything that you are not comfortable with in your sessions or with the horses. NO horse experience is needed. You will not be riding the horse in your sessions. The horse will be in the round pen with you sitting on the outside of the pen during most sessions. Sometimes, depending on the experience or ” piece of work ” your exploring, you may choose to be in the round pen with the horse for coaching and energy healing.
The horse is an active, intuitive, healing partner in the coaching experience and respects your boundaries. Horses have the ability to offer their healing, raising your energy fields from a distance so you do not have to be in the round pen with the horse to receive their healing benefit. However, once engaged in the sessions, most clients become more comforable in the horse’s presence, feel the healing taking place and are eager to be closer to their horse partner.