Horses don’t lie and pretend be something they’re not and they expect the same from us. Humans on the other hand are predisposed to behaviors like lying because of our survival instincts to “strategize the hunt”. This survival mode can lead us to follow our mind over heart, especially when it comes to our emotions and how they show up in our daily lives.

Casey* came into the arena and was immediately drawn to “The Big Guy”. However when he tried to touch him the horse set a pretty clear boundary of “nope, not yet.” As the horse continued to stand still with his head high we asked Casey how he looked to him. He replied “Large and in Charge”. “How is it for you […]

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In the Fall of 2022, we lost our dear, sweet and sensitive Cosmo.  A high ranking elder of the herd with a style all his own, Cosmo came from an eventing background — he was a talented thoroughbred with an attitude.  Cosmo’s “horse sense” was to teach you to be mindful, to be authentic and to check in not only with him but with yourself. He insisted that you listen. That you slow down. That you connect with your own heart first in order to connect with his.

If you ever met Cosmo you might have been told to watch his cues and especially his back left. He had a way of cocking up his back leg as a warning of things to come if you kept trying his patience. It was patience he needed us to learn, for him and […]

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At this point, most of us are aware of the benefits of positive thinking, or have at least heard about it. In some ways, the idea of the “power of positive thinking” has almost become so commonplace that you may very easily be writing it off or forgetting about it completely. Or, you might even think of the concept of positivity as “basic”. Yet, there is a reason why you keep hearing about it — because it works. It is one of the fundamental building blocks to happiness, success and an enjoyed life. It is absolutely basic and if we aren’t practicing the basics, how can we expect to strengthen and grow in any capacity?

Choosing to notice, recognize and even seek out the positive in situations; to speak and act in a positive manner; and to hold positive expectancy for the […]

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When working with horses and donkeys, it’s important to keep a positive mindset. Not is it easier and more fun to approach experiences with positivity, but your mindset also impacts your relationship with the equines.  Equines easily pick up on our energy and skillfully read our cues to decide whether we are safe to be around or not. If we are feeling bad, uneasy or doubtful they know it and they will act accordingly!

Mica* was connecting with a horse, whom she called “Goldie”. She expressed how calm and chill Goldie was being and that the connection they had was feeling pretty great. She decided she wanted to try walking Goldie around the arena so she got a rope and connected it to his halter. Mica began to start walking, but Goldie did not budge. She went back to Goldie, started petting him and giving him scratches and […]

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Mark* came to Stand InBalance through our Veterans program. He had successfully been learning and practicing new skills to address his depression and PTSD, but was now worried about the prospect of going home and slipping back into his old ways.

To address these concerns, we engaged Mark in an exercise where he was asked to build the “home” he envisions for himself when he gets back. Mark grabbed a few items from our large toy box and placed them in the center of the arena: a single cone, which represented “caution” because he was cautious about his progress; 4 barrels placed in a square with a chair in the middle, which represented boundaries and his perimeter to keep out intruders; and a couple of tennis balls placed on […]

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