ABOUT ME

It is no exaggeration to say horses saved me.

As a child, happy memories were found in the stable and amongst horses. My childhood home looked out at a stable across the street. I started taking riding lessons at four years old. And by seven, I was working for my rides by sweeping isles and mucking stalls. I loved the entire environment. I was safe in the barn. I just wanted to be in the barn, to escape every other environment I moved through. Of course, stories of love and hardship continue, evolve and endure - time passes. Horses taught me empathy and compassion. They taught me that falling off, though painful, was an opportunity to get back on; confidence, and trust.

In 2009, I worked at a therapeutic riding program in Hartford CT, and urban stable. Youth from the community came to the stable every day after-school as a safe haven. It was there that I met a young man. He had a temper unlike any I had seen before. I was fascinated by him. One day, he came in and clearly was in a terrible mood. I could feel the energy emanating off of him. I followed him to the barn, not saying anything. I watched him as he walked up to the stall door and flung it open. The horse spun around so fast and feigned to kick him – but didn’t.

I saw him take stock of how close he had just come to getting kicked. He stepped back, took a deep breath, lowered his shoulders. Then opened the door again and extended his hand. The horse lowered his head and allowed the young man to put his halter on. Together, they walked off.

I thought to myself, if that young man came to my door like that, I would have kicked him too! I don’t know that I would have given him a second chance that fast. The horse had mirrored his behavior and showed him that he needed to step back. That is the beauty of what horses teach us. In that moment, I saw myself in that young man. I saw the hurt, unregulated, flailing young child who was looking for safety, comfort, and love. He found it in a horse, as did I. Horses help us to heal.

I am privileged now to work at a therapeutic riding stable in Ohio. I work with youth and adults every day to help them heal through the power of horses. Some have already healed, and now they in turn help others too. How lucky am I, to have been saved by horses and to now work in the environment that saved me? To have a personal connection to the work is the most meaningful experience I could ask for.

Now I want to hear your story. Let’s connect, tell me more.