An Unexpected Teacher

‍Last week, I met a new friend.

He has a strong, beautiful presence, incredible emotional intelligence, has a mind of his own, a remarkable ability to be fully present. He leads from the heart and embodies the Divine Masculine.

No, I didn't meet him on an online dating site. :)

His name is Hidalgo, and he is a horse who lives at Cherry Grove Stables in Thorndale.

Susan Morel, who does equine therapy, invited me to spend some time with her and the horses. I had never experienced anything quite like it, and I left feeling deeply touched, inspired, and humbled.

Before I tell you about Hidalgo, I want to tell you a little about Susan. She has such a gentle, grounded presence. There is a softness about her, a deep respect for the horses, and a way of being that immediately puts you at ease. It was no surprise to me that she connects so deeply with them.

What resonated most with me was her approach.

We were not there to make the horses do anything. We weren't asking them to help us, perform for us, or engage with us in any particular way.

Everything was completely up to them. Susan calls this herd immersion.

When we entered the field, we kept our distance and simply observed. Susan told me about each horse, sharing their names, personalities, and a little of their story. Just standing there and watching them, I found myself relaxing.

A few horses wandered by us and continued on their way. We did not approach them. We simply allowed them to be.

After quite some time, Hidalgo began walking toward us.

Susan shared that he was the herd's leader and had a very big heart.

I was about to experience that firsthand.

He came right up to us and stood close. For several minutes, the three of us remained together in silence. No touching. No words. Just presence.

It was so powerful.

When I looked into Hidalgo's eyes, I was struck by the depth of his presence. There was a steadiness and an intelligence that felt almost ancient. I wasn't thinking about the past or the future. I was simply there.

Susan pointed out that he was licking his lips, a sign that he was relaxed and comfortable. The connection felt good for him, too.

At one point, Hidalgo gently rested his head across Susan's chest. She shared how close they are and how much they trust one another. I could feel that.

Then he turned toward me and brought his nose right up to my heart.

It was a sacred moment.

Eventually, it was time for Susan and me to leave. I thanked Hidalgo and told him how grateful I was for our time together. As we walked away, I kept looking back.

And so did he.

Even from a distance, I could feel the connection between us. And a part of me was so drawn to going back to be with him again.

I was also delighted when Joseph, a donkey, came over to introduce himself. What a sweetheart.

He loved having his back rubbed, and once I started, he didn't want me to stop. He followed me around the field, gently asking for more.

Joseph is the only donkey among the horses, but Susan shared that Hidalgo watches over him with love and care and that he is very much part of the herd.

After our time in the field, Susan and I sat down to reflect on the experience.

She affectionately calls horses "four-footed shamans" because of their capacity to mirror what is happening within us and support healing in ways that can feel almost magical. They teach us how to be human beings rather than human doings.

She shared that, as prey animals, horses rely on their instincts for survival. They are incredibly attuned to energy and can sense what is happening beneath the surface. They respond not to our words, but to our emotions, our nervous system, and our level of presence.

Susan also said that when a horse chooses to be with us, it is not only healing for us—it is energizing and healing for them as well.

As I drove away from the stable on the gravel road, beneath an open sky and warm sunshine, my heart felt open, joyful, and filled with gratitude.

Gratitude for Susan and her wisdom.

Gratitude for Joseph, Hildago, and all of the horses who offered profound lessons simply by being who they are.

I was in awe of my experience.

What a blessing.

Susan and I are excited to be offering A Day of Horse Medicine on Saturday, October 3rd. Susan will guide us, along with the horses, through a unique and powerful experience of connection, presence, and self-discovery. There are only five spots available. The investment is $225. If you would like more information, please contact me.

‍ Love,

Diane

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