How Horses Help Us Heal

Last week, I shared about a small steady presence who has been with me through the last thirteen years of ups and downs: my cat. This week, I want to introduce you to my horse, Beau, a quiet strength who’s walked beside me in a different way, but with strong presence.

I had been without horses for a couple of years, looking on and off for a new one, but I just hadn’t found the “right” one. None seemed to fill the void left after my previous horses passed, and eventually I took a break from searching.

One night, however, in a sleepy stupor, I somehow found myself scrolling, looking at horses for sale — and there he was. A striking solid black gelding. In my sleepy state, I sent the owner a message to see if the horse was still available, and the rest is history. I knew he was the horse. A couple of days later, I welcomed him to the farm, and our bond began to form. I named him Beau, from the Old French meaning “handsome” or “beautiful”, which felt very fitting for him.

Beau has been there through some challenging times in my life. During difficult days at work, especially through the pandemic, I felt lucky to be able to escape to him and process what I was experiencing.

He was the shoulder I needed to cry on when I was thousands of miles away, unable to be with my Dad through the worst of his terminal illness and eventual passing — and through other deep losses, each carrying their own weight. I would visit Beau, sometimes just walking out into the pasture to stand with him for a while. Resting my head or hands on his body, it felt as though he was taking some of that weight from my shoulders. He saw my tears and, with his non-judgmental presence and big heart, simply stood, breathed, and stayed as long as I needed — somehow easing the pain I carried.

Some days, it was the simple act of grooming him that brought me back to myself. My thoughts and the task at hand would become my focus. The noise of the day would quiet, and I’d find presence and calm in Beau’s company once again. On the trail, whether walking by his side or riding, the sights and sounds of nature brought grounding and often clarity to whatever thoughts or dilemmas I was working through.

At times, when walking through the pasture, Beau would recognize me from afar and start walking — or even galloping — away from the rest of the herd and towards me, which always brought a smile. How did he know it was me? When I returned him to the pasture, I often left feeling lighter and comforted by this gentle giant.

Beau isn’t the first horse to bring grounding into my life. My previous horses did the same. They have all been calming companions who both carried me to amazing places and walked beside me through some very difficult chapters. Each has been a significant part of my journey through adulthood. Without knowing it, my horses have silently coached me through so many situations in my life. They’ve walked with me through change and tears, but also through moments of grace — showing me how to find strength in change, calm in stressful situations, steadiness through grief, and taught me the practise of presence, instead of getting lost in all the “noise”. My horses have also led me to wonderful friendships — fellow horse lovers who share their knowledge, experience, and deep love for these strong yet sensitive animals.

Beau, though, was the horse who showed me that the grounding I felt wasn’t accidental, and he opened a door I wasn’t expecting: the path toward equine-assisted coaching. He helped me truly see how powerful, healing, and non-judgmental the presence of a horse can be. And because of him — and a dear mentor — I began to understand how these lessons could support others too. Whether someone stands beside him in person or learns through the stories and reflective exercises he inspires, Beau is at the heart of the equine side of my coaching.

I believe my love of horses was instilled when I was just a baby and Mum placed me on the back of a pony. Perhaps that was a moment of grounding for her, without her even being aware of it — and perhaps for me as well. I’m deeply grateful to have had, and still have, horses in my life — for the grounding they offer and for how much they’ve taught me over the years, often without me realising it at the time. Horses have shaped me, softened me, supported me through grief and change, and brought deep joy into my life. I truly believe I would be a different person without them.

I’m grateful to share Beau — and a small part of our journey — with you here.

~ Rhonda ~