“Hon, those horses are a gift…” I had no idea when my Grandpa shared those words with me in a dream where it would take me. I believe with all my heart he knew what horses had to offer before anything therapeutic was ever even a glimmer.
This week, I want to share why I became an Equine Gestaltist and how I believe Equine Gestalt Coaching for healing and personal growth can support others, just as it has supported me. Horses have been my safe haven for as long as I can remember. As a child, I found solace in their presence, knowing that whatever I shared with them would never be used against me.
Equine Gestalt Coaching is an experiential, present-focused approach rooted in Gestalt Theory—essentially about moving toward wholeness and integrating parts of ourselves that linger unresolved. Rather than diagnosing or labeling, this method brings awareness to “unfinished business,” inviting clients to experience emotions fully in the present moment so that energy can be released and self-compassion and wholeness can emerge. In Equine Gestalt Coaching for healing and personal growth, the horse is not merely a tool but an active, sentient partner. Their attuned presence and sensitivity to human energy create opportunities for genuine contact: a horse might lower its head or nudge a client when it senses unspoken emotion, offering nonjudgmental companionship that reflects where a client may be avoiding their truth. This dynamic not only deepens present-moment awareness but also encourages authentic, liberating transformation.
Seeker, my retired barrel horse, has been asking to step in more and more often. It feels like she’s found a new calling, one that gives her a sense of purpose again. Watching her lean into this work with such quiet wisdom is a reminder that healing doesn’t just happen for the people—it happens for the horses, too. Moments like these are the heart of Equine Gestalt Coaching for healing and personal growth and why I believe so strongly in the power of emotional support coaching with horses.
In my search for a program that aligned with my personal beliefs about emotional support and healing, I looked at several coaching and therapy programs. None seemed to fit what my vision was for supporting others with my horses as partners, until someone I now consider a friend mentioned Equine Gestalt Coaching when I was buying my horse Skeeter from her. Intrigued, I dug deeper into the concept and realized it was exactly what I was looking for as a way to share my horses with others in a meaningful and healing way. Stepping into this program was a huge challenge, and was as healing as it was educational. After my first in-person training session, I knew I was right where I needed to be, and Equine Gestalt Coaching for healing and personal growth was exactly what I needed to bring to my vision.
If you’re curious about experiencing Equine Gestalt Coaching for healing and personal growth, or want to explore what emotional support coaching with horses could mean for you, I’d love to invite you to connect with me and meet the horses. Together, we can explore what healing and clarity might look like for you.