Self-criticism to
self-esteem, horse sense is healing
Many of us have heard it said that horses are insightful, honest, sensitive and loyal. Since childhood we’ve read stories and watched movies that taught us about a consistent and loving human-horse bond. We were introduced to horses who would risk their own lives to save their rider, and others who would remember and even miss their owners for years until they were reunited in a tearful scene. Horses were the subjects of both myth and fairy tale and throughout the course of our lives, many of us have given them a special place in our hearts.
Because we hold great admiration and respect for these majestic animals, we have also attributed human-like qualities to them. These qualities include wildness of spirit, inability to be broken, a love for freedom, and uncommon courage. These are powerful beasts both physically and in our hearts and minds.
And so, I was intrigued to learn that art and animal-assisted psychotherapist, Straja Linder King (no relation), well known for her work in canine-assisted therapy, also utilizes the power of the human-horse bond in her therapeutic work. Straja is known for being a highly effective therapist, treating individual clients and groups who are experiencing minor and major life issues including grief, trauma, PTSD, abuse, stress, problem behaviours, addiction, dementia, autism, developmental disability and all kinds of transition, loss and limitation.
Straja explained to me why she was drawn to equine-assisted therapy. She said that horses are honest, and have the ability to mirror back to us what we bring to them (neuroscientists have actually measured this energy exchange). They share with us and learn from us, and allow each of us to bring different, yet valuable gifts to our relationship with them. Horses are excellent helpers to people not only because research has proven that they too grieve (as do all animals), but also because after a bond is established, they willingly help us move through our grief. We can count on them to have no malice towards us. And in our relationships, horses remind us how we are connected to each other and to all of life, that we too are significant. Working with them leads people from indecisiveness to clarity, from self-criticism to self-esteem.
When I joined Straja one sunny afternoon at Eagle Feather Riding, I was blown away by her choice of facility, Sir Henry (the gentle horse she works with there), and her uncanny ability to communicate with him. I shouldn’t have been surprised, because I’ve seen Straja with her therapy dog Tumbra, but I guess I just had no idea that such a beautiful and powerful horse would be so receptive. In every respect, Sir Henry was playful, loving and communicative.
Eagle Feather Riding (just south of Calgary towards Bragg Creek) is a one-of-a-kind horse ranch. Its proprietor, Vickie, is as passionate and enthusiastic a person as I have ever met … and an incredible supporter and mentor for Straja who shares her passion for helping others. Straja explained that it was Vickie who encouraged her to apply her uncanny ability with dogs to include work with horses and that Vickie mentored her development of horsemanship skills.
The horses that live on Vickie’s ranch are mostly rescued animals that were in need of a home. Though she started with six, she has 50 horses now and they are all treated as well as they possibly can be; even horseshoes, mouth reins and saddles are not used on them there. And to be sure, it felt very good to me, seeing this natural way of riding and relating with them. In fact, it was moving.
I learned that equine-assisted therapy does not begin with riding a horse, but that Straja begins by working with her client on the ground. The therapy is about relationship building, learning to trust your own instincts, engagement and self-empowerment. It works so effectively because it utilizes both verbal and non-verbal healing techniques in an authentic, engaging manner. Straja’s clients learn how to synchronize their motives with that of their horse to steadily reach their goals. The horse (Sir Henry) mirrors back insightful information, what he perceives from them, and in doing so, teaches clients about themselves. Lead by Straja, the client can begin to trust their knowing and in short order, become able to see their own progress, achievement and growth. Afterwards, clients process their findings and discoveries using expressive therapies (i.e. journaling, art and more). This expression helps them find creative ways to realize their goals.
A teenage girl that Straja has been working with summed it up eloquently. Her mother had sought treatment with Straja to help her daughter deal with past abuse and subsequent court proceedings. The teen told me she was originally scared to get on Sir Henry but realized that if he could trust her, and was willing to be around her, then she needed to earn and maintain that trust. She used words like healthy boundaries and connection, but it was the sparkle in her eyes and her confident stance that was so convincing to me.
Eagle Feather Riding has a new fund-raising society to support scholarships for students, purchase specialized equipment and create relationships with other groups that could benefit from equine experiences. To find out more, make a donation to help someone in need receive equine-assisted therapy with Straja, or to just go riding at this magical place, please visit www.eaglefeatherriding.ab.ca or call (403) 686-0120.
—Straja Linder King is registered clinical psychotherapist and an Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) certified equine-assisted therapist. To find out more about Straja’s therapeutic work or to book an appointment, please call (403) 630-1020 or visit www.strawberry-mooncounselling.com. Straja also offers classes and workshops through Spiritual Directions Centre (Calgary). For more information and to register, please visit www.spiritualdirections.com or call
(403) 210-2802.