My First Teacher, Hope

By Author: Kathy Pike
Total Articles: 4
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When I sat down to write my recent book, Life Lessons from the Heart of Horses: How Horses Teach Us About Relationships and Healing, I was reminded of when horses came into my life.

While enjoying a beautiful day on one of the beaches along Oregon’s coast, I witnessed a brilliant spectacle of freedom as I watched a woman ride down the wide sandy beach, bareback, on a beautiful chestnut-colored horse. After introducing myself she invited me to her farm where I met Hope.

Kathy Pike Equine ConferenceWithin a week or so I was working with Hope while taking lessons from a Natural Horseman. I’d received my instructions and I asked Hope to canter but, with all her power and beauty, she turned abruptly toward me instead. I was new to understanding the body language of a horse and at that moment learned one of many lessons; my body language had actually given her the cue to turn in. But this wasn’t all my first teacher had to teach me.

My response as fear flooded me was for my conscious mind to escape my physical being to protect myself from the perceived danger I was being confronted ...
... with. The powerful turn Hope made showed me my unconscious response when confronted with power, authority, or big energy. She gifted me with an insight and awareness of myself that opened up new neuropathways of communication between my mind and body. In just a short 20 minutes I’d felt a huge shift and saw the potential for personal and leadership development that I and so many others could be gifted in our lives by Coaching with Horses.

Hope taught me the first of many lessons I’ve learned in my time working with horses. Lessons about trust, surrender, timing, and building relationships. Some stories are light and playful, others are insightful, and some are even a bit heart-wrenching, bringing you on the journey as if you are in a direct relationship with each horse.

From all of this was born the calling to open up the possibility for others to learn their own lessons from horses. I’ve dedicated myself to helping others realize their full potential through reconnecting their spirits to nature and horses.

I am a training company offering professional training to individuals and programs to enhance relationships with horses. My program are now online and I primarily work with groups.