“So, you work with horses..?”
I hear that a lot from people who are confused about what I do for a living. So maybe it’s important to clarify this here.
First, I am a Professional Health Coach. I work with people. I work specifically with horse people to help them attain their health and wellness goals. If an equestrian wants to quit smoking, for instance, I’m there to help. I was a smoker for 30 years, and quit almost 5 years ago, so I know what that’s like. If a horse owner wants to manage his Type II Diabetes, I can help. I have my own blood sugar issues, so I know what that’s like. If a stable manager or riding instructor needs to reduce her stress level, I can help. I’ve been doing both of those things for 25 years, I know what pressures can come with those jobs, and I’ve learn a few techniques to ease the tension along the way. If a rider wants to lose a few pounds so she looks better in her britches, I can help. I’ve been there, more than once. If a horse owner wants to simply find the joy in life again, be happy and have fun, I’m here to help him/her attain that.
You see, I work with horse people, not just because I know horses, but because I know and relate to horse people. I am a whole person, a well-rounded person who just happens to have lived a lifetime around horses. I am a horse person, like you, but with a lot of miles on me. 🙂
As a Coach who practices the Co-Active model, I also believe you, as the client, are naturally creative, resourceful, and whole. So the coaching agenda comes from you. We are active collaborators in the coaching relationship for the purpose of meeting your needs. Sometimes the answers come from me, but most times, they come from you. I just help you dig deep and find them.
I am also a trained shamanic practitioner, so my connection to Spirit is a big part of my coaching practice. It may not be something that is always readily apparent to the client, but it’s interwoven into everything I do. For instance, before every session, I cleanse the space I’ll be working in of any negative energy by burning sage and saying simple prayers, usually asking the spirits who remain to help me help the client in the best way I can during the session. I will often light an appropriate incense and some candles. I listen to “nudges” I may get from Spirit during our session, intuition or inspiration to ask the right questions or suggest just the right “baby step” to help move the client forward. Sometimes, Spirit does not interject, and that’s okay, too. (That usually means we’re on the right track.) I go with the flow, and I trust.
There are times when I may feel the need to take the client on a guided meditation or journey. Or I may journey between sessions to get answers to questions that have come up in our session. Or I may do a lot of wellness research, finding articles and studies that pertain to the client’s particular set of circumstances and emailing my findings along to the client. I dance in the moment, trusting to my extensive training as a coach, shaman, and teacher to know what to do next. Many times, the best thing I can do is just listen as the client works on discovery. I never lose sight of the fact that this is all about you and what YOU need to achieve your goals. That doesn’t mean I am always easy on you, though. One should never get the idea that being coached will always be easy, but the results will certainly will be rewarding!
Sometimes you also need a consultant who knows horses, because, being an equestrian, horses demand a great deal of your attention. As one who lives the equestrian lifestyle and has been trained in Equine Science, I can be of service with your equine needs as well. You and your horse(s) are a package, a partnership. I *get* that. I am a Coach with a unique insight into the particular challenges that both you and your horse face. I can help you find the right diet for your horse. I can discuss tack-fitting issues or stable management with you. I can help you talk to your vet or refer you to a specialist. Chances are, if I can’t answer whatever question you may have about your horse, I can certainly find the person who can. After all, consultants don’t ever have all the answers. They simply know where to go to find them!
So, that is what I do as Black Horse Consulting. As an Equine Wellness Specialist and Shamanic Health Coach, I help enhance well-being for both horse & human. I help both equine and owner live a more balanced life by helping you address and fully integrate the three aspects of being: body, mind, and spirit.
I’ll stop here for now. 🙂