HEARTS AND HORSES
‘Welcome to the Equine side of Ellasfield! I'm Kim, a Shamanic Practitioner, Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master, and a facilitator of Equine-Assisted Personal Development (bookings October onwards).
I'm committed to supporting people and providing a secure and compassionate space for both clients and the horse to be heard.’
I would love to share a little about my background and how I arrived at offering this specialist form of therapeutic support.
I have lived alongside horses since I was a toddler and enjoyed their company and the freedom they provided as I explored the South Downs, captivated and wholly immersed in the present moment. I obtained relief from my anxiety-ridden adolescence while I galloped the many Sussex bridleways.
I have owned horses all my adult life, and many of the ones I took on exhibited behavioural problems. During that time, these issues were often attributed solely to the horses, without much consideration given to the potential impact of the horse's past or the rider's internal and emotional state when interacting with the horse.
I competed as a young girl and into adulthood until I travelled in my late twenties; during this time, I often found that mainstream training methods were heavy-handed and highly pressurised. Many modalities used an understanding of equine behaviour against the horse rather than for a harmonious and equal relationship with the horse, now the heart-beat of all my work with the herd I share this land with.
After I returned from my travels, a new school of thought emerged. I trained as a complementary animal practitioner and stopped riding to focus on my family. This period allowed me the time and space to realise how my horses' behaviour reflected my internal thoughts and emotions and how if I approached the horses in a hurry or without considering them, inevitably, their behaviour would mirror this, leading to an unpleasant experience for all! It sparked my interest in how horses can help people in a therapeutic setting and how the horse's voice and needs must be respected when working with clients.
The following excerpt illustrates a life lesson I learned many years ago while getting back to basics with my herd. One particular horse that came to live here had a difficult start in life, and although we're unsure of the exact details, we know he had lived in high-pressure environments. He displays the body language of a horse that has been mistreated and could be highly cautious of being touched around his head.
In the early days, I noticed he didn't enjoy physical touch and mostly kept his distance. This, combined with my struggles with feeling unlovable, created an interesting dynamic between us. At that time, I didn't fully understand horse behaviour and my part in it. I unintentionally imposed my will on Star to make him connect with me without considering his feelings.
"After gaining new insight, our relationship has become clearer. Once I acknowledged Star and his preferences, the pressure between us lifted. We now enjoy 'hanging out' and being present, which feels authentic and enjoyable. The life lesson I've gained from this is that if we scratch the surface a little, we can see both parties can experience wounds. Just because things don't align with our preconceived ideas, it doesn't mean it's wrong or you have failed somehow. A meaningful relationship can look many ways, and only the individuals can decide what is right. Relationships come in many shapes and sizes depending on our history and life stories; it isn't one-size-fits-all."
Im always happy to book in a quick chat to share more about our 1:1 sessions and transformational retreats in the Sussex countryside.
Much love, beauties
Kim x
EQUINE-ASSISTED SESSIONS
Is now your time to embark on a unique and transformative journey, gain clarity amid the fast pace of our times, find more ease and live your life from a place of fresh understanding and insight?
Whether you book one-to-one sessions or attend a more extended retreat, this time will be away from the daily hustle and bustle, allowing you to experience specialised and heart-centred guidance, the healing properties of cacao, and the pure presence of the horses.
Half Day Retreats
Our carefully crafted half-day retreats are tailored to help you achieve insights, foster personal growth, and promote healing. Spending this time in a natural landscape surrounded by the elements and horses enables you to understand relationship challenges, intense emotions, self-sabotaging thought patterns, or past situations that keep you stuck. By gaining this knowledge, you can free yourself from these burdens' hold and make space for something more beautiful in your life. This intimate experience is tailored for one or two individuals, fostering a feeling of reconnecting with your inner self with strength and grace.
What you will receive ~
-Cacao in Ceremony with Intention Setting
-Meditation and Breathing Practices
-1:1 Session with Horses
-Shamanic Healing Wisdom
-Sauna
-Teas and Sweet Treat
4/4.5 hours
£350
One-to-One Sessions
Our one-on-one sessions, guided by horses and facilitated by a qualified practitioner, are designed to be profoundly nurturing and therapeutic. You'll experience heart-centred facilitation in a serene environment, surrounded by a natural landscape; the wind whispering through the trees and birds singing are all part of the experience. The land and elements hold you, creating the space for you to discover your answers and receive a 'felt' experience, not just an intellectual one, meaning you can apply what you learn to your daily life and leave feeling you've experienced something tangible.
Initial Session £150; 2 hours
Follow Up Sessions £120; 1.5 hours
It is recommended that you book a minimum of four sessions over one month.
For October bookings or to obtain more information, please email ellasfield@icloud.com.
