News from HEAL - First HEAL Facilitators Graduate!

Terry expressed confusion. "Should I choose Magic who is begging me," she asked. My response was, "Are you doing this for yourself or the horse?" She chose Gem.

We went into Gem's pen together. I had a halter and after a while I asked Terry if she would like to halter Gem. She hadn't done that before but she wanted to try and had success with only a bit of help. We spent some time walking Gem in her pen. When Terry felt comfortable, we walked Gem into the arena, and closed the gate.

After doing another body scan Terry mentioned again she just wanted to feel some of the joy she had felt before. We went into the arena. Terry and Gem mirrored each other in gentleness. Terry stood next to Gem and began to stroke her. As she felt more confident, she moved farther across Gem's body. She commented she was unable to touch so much of her body the last time they were together. I asked if she would like to brush Gem. Yes. She chose a brush and brushed Gem quietly for a long time. She was able to move completely around Gem. I asked if she would like to halter Gem again and walk with her in the arena. Yes. We did that. The joy shone through Terry's face. "I can't believe I'm doing this!"   I asked if she would like to take off Gem's halter and get her to move around the arena. Yes. We took off Gem's halter. There was a crop in the center of the arena. Terry picked it up. Gem began to trot around the arena. Terry and I stayed in the center, turning to watch her. Gem's speed increased. I asked Terry if she wanted to slow her down. Yes. I said, "Let's just breathe deeply." Both of us stayed where we were, took in deep breaths, and let them out slowly. Gem decreased her speed in rhythm with our breathing. I felt such perfect union... soul to soul to soul. As Gem slowed to a walk, we walked with her to the gate and thanked her. Outside the gate, Terry and I hugged. Both of us were high with joy. She told me this was even more joyous than she could have imagined. I felt so grateful to be a part of Terry's moving with Gem into a higher dimension.

The following Friday in our training course, we were given the opportunity to dance with the horses. In the morning we spent time with them in the pastures. All of Leigh's horses are open and willing, and I wondered if I would be able to tell who would be my dancing partner.   As I neared Gem she stopped grazing and walked up to me. I kissed her on the nose. She was to be my partner!

Our dance was so beautiful. We were together in our hearts, our souls, and our bodies from the moment I joined her in the arena. It was such a joyful, playful experience. I cannot describe our actual movements because I don't really remember them, but I can describe how I felt; completely synchronized with Gem, whether we were in close proximity or at a distance, facing each other, or facing away I always felt the resonance between us. Our dance included moving quickly and slowly. Someone who had been watching said there was a moment when we were doing what looked like a do-si-do! At one point we were moving together face to face. She was moving forward and I was moving backward. I took her face in my hands and we trotted together! We flowed into and away from each other. I thought about Terry and how I wanted her to have the opportunity to dance with Gem, too.   What a perfect next step for her.

During that week I mentioned to Gina, a fellow participant who is a riding instructor, that I would love for her to give me a riding lesson. I've had some riding experience and a lot of fear but I wanted to try once more. Leigh suggested we use Gem. On Saturday morning Gem and I spent a long time together. I took a bucket of brushes into her pen. She stood quietly while I brushed her and talked to her. At one point I felt she was telling me she was too old for me to ride her. I had forgotten about that when it turned out we would have time for me to have a lesson. After I had groomed Gem and was in the arena with her I remembered what she had told me. I walked to the gate to mention it to Leigh and Gina.   Gem moved to the far side of the arena. I was facing Leigh, my back to the rest of the arena, telling her what I thought Gem had said. Leigh asked if it might be projection - did I feel too old? I said I didn't know how I could tell if it was coming from me or Gem. Leigh suggested I ask Gem if she was willing. Just as she said that, Gem came all the way from the far side of the arena to press her face against my back! I turned around to look at her. Her ears were up and her eyes were bright. I felt completely reassured that she was willing! I felt so comfortable and safe on her. I could feel the warmth of her body and I could feel her breathing when we were standing still. She carried me so beautifully and I was not afraid. We walked all around the arena and into and out of the center.

When I returned home to Colorado, I wrote Terry a note telling her how grateful I was to have been a part of her continued joy with Gem and how thrilled I was that she had accomplished so much. I told her about my getting to dance with Gem and to ride her with a bareback pad and that if she felt comfortable trying those things, Leigh would guide her through it.

Gem gave Terry and me the gift of opening our hearts. Each of us trusted her to take us to the next level and she did it perfectly. I believe it is possible to carry this gift forward to being able to access and follow our hearts under other circumstances. To overcome some of our fears and open ourselves to new experiences. To know fuller joy in living. This is the healing, soul work of horses, the blessed ones who bless us with their knowing.

Note: The workshop participant's name has been changed to protect the individual's privacy.