Exploring equine-assisted personal growth, connection, and the unexpected wisdom of horses at Rancho Baile de la Luna.
If you've been following Rancho Baile de la Luna for a while, you've probably seen photos and videos from our Spirit Horse Journeys.
Women walking alongside horses, sitting quietly in the shade of our mesquite trees, navigating obstacles together, laughing, sometimes crying, and occasionally sharing moments that are difficult to put into words.
And you might have wondered...
What exactly are they doing out there with those horses?
It's a fair question!
Equine-assisted learning, therapeutic equine experiences, equine coaching, personal growth with horses. There are quite a few names for this kind of work, and explaining what actually happens isn't always easy.
Because the truth is, it's something you experience rather than something someone can fully explain to you.
But I'll give it a try.
So, What Is Equine-Assisted Personal Growth?
At its simplest, it's an opportunity to explore yourself through meaningful interactions with horses.
Not by riding them, training them, or asking them to perform.
But by spending time with them, observing their behavior, communicating, building trust, and becoming more aware of your own thoughts, emotions, and reactions.
Horses have an extraordinary ability to bring us into the present moment.
They don't care about your job title, your accomplishments, your age, or how successful you appear to the outside world.
They respond to what's happening right now.
Your body language. Your movement. Your attention. Your intentions.
And sometimes, what happens between a person and a horse can reveal something that person hasn't quite recognized about themselves.
That's where things get interesting.
Why Horses?
I've spent more than 50 years around horses, and I can tell you that they are incredibly perceptive animals.
As prey animals, horses have evolved to pay close attention to their surroundings and to the behavior of other animals, including humans.
They notice subtle changes in movement, posture, tension, and behavior that we might not even be aware of ourselves.
And because horses communicate primarily through body language, interacting with them invites us to become more conscious of how we're communicating without words.
For example, you might approach a horse thinking you're feeling perfectly calm, only to realize your shoulders are tight, you're holding your breath, or your mind is racing.
Or perhaps you're trying to encourage a horse to walk with you, but your body is communicating something different from what you intend.
The horse may hesitate, move away, or respond in an unexpected way.
Rather than labeling that response as right or wrong, we become curious.
What's happening here?
What am I communicating?
What could I try differently?
And perhaps most importantly, does this remind me of anything in my everyday life?
These simple interactions can open the door to surprisingly meaningful discoveries.
It's Not About Getting the Horse to Do What You Want
This is something I feel particularly strongly about.
Our horses are not tools.
They're our partners in these experiences, and each one brings a completely different personality to the interaction.
Some are curious and affectionate. Others are independent, playful, sensitive, or more reserved.
Just like people!
During our retreats, we might invite someone to lead a horse through an obstacle, establish a boundary, encourage movement, or simply spend quiet time together.
But the goal isn't necessarily to complete the exercise perfectly.
Sometimes the most interesting moment happens when things don't go according to plan.
Perhaps the horse doesn't want to cross the bridge.
Maybe it stops following you.
Or perhaps you discover that you're so focused on achieving the task that you've forgotten to pay attention to the relationship.
What happens next?
Do you become frustrated?
Do you try harder?
Do you give up?
Do you change your approach?
Or do you pause, take a breath, and consider another possibility?
There isn't a correct emotional response we're looking for.
We're simply creating opportunities to notice patterns, explore choices, and discover different ways of relating.
And often, those discoveries extend far beyond the arena.
Sometimes the Most Powerful Moments Are the Quietest
Not everything we do involves an exercise.
Some of my favorite moments happen when we simply allow the horses and people to spend time together.
No agenda. No pressure. No expectation that something profound needs to happen.
We might be sitting beneath the mesquite trees while the horses wander nearby.
Someone may find themselves drawn to a particular horse.
Another person might notice that a horse seems curious about them.
Sometimes a horse chooses to approach and stay close. Other times, it prefers to keep its distance.
Both are perfectly valid.
And both can give us something to reflect on.
In our busy lives, we're so accustomed to doing, accomplishing, planning, and thinking about what comes next.
Horses invite us to practice something different.
Simply being.
Being present with ourselves, with another living creature, and with the natural world around us.
For some people, that alone is a surprisingly powerful experience.
Is There Science Behind This?
Yes, although I think it's important to distinguish between what research has established and what we're still learning.
We know that horses are highly social animals, sensitive to body language and capable of recognizing certain human emotional cues.
Research has also explored how interactions with horses may influence stress, emotional awareness, confidence, and well-being.
Some studies of equine-assisted interventions have reported promising benefits, but the evidence varies depending on the type of program and the outcomes being measured. Researchers are still working to understand exactly how and why these experiences affect people.
You'll sometimes hear terms like co-regulation, somatic awareness, and nervous system regulation associated with this work.
These concepts can help explain why paying attention to our breathing, posture, and physical sensations may be valuable during interactions with horses.
But I don't believe we need to claim that horses can diagnose our emotions, read our minds, or magically heal us to appreciate what they offer.
Sometimes the most meaningful thing a horse does is simply respond honestly, giving us an opportunity to see ourselves from a different perspective.
And sometimes, there's a moment of connection that science hasn't fully explained.
I'm comfortable leaving room for both.
What Actually Happens During a Spirit Horse Journey?
Every retreat is a little different.
Some have themes such as releasing what no longer serves us, exploring personal boundaries, finding clarity, or discovering greater freedom and connection.
Others unfold more organically.
We typically begin by slowing down, grounding ourselves, and becoming aware of how we're feeling.
From there, we introduce activities designed to encourage observation, communication, reflection, and connection.
Depending on the experience, that might include:
- Spending quiet time observing the herd and noticing their interactions.
- Working with a horse on the ground through simple leading, movement, or obstacle exercises.
- Exploring how we communicate our intentions and boundaries.
- Participating in guided reflection, meditation, or creative expression.
- Sharing experiences and insights in a supportive group.
- Enjoying unstructured time with the horses in a peaceful natural setting.
And sometimes we change the plan because something unexpected and wonderful is unfolding.
I've learned that it's important to leave room for those moments.
After more than five decades of working with horses, I thought I knew quite a lot about them.
But this past year of facilitating equine-assisted experiences has opened my eyes to an entirely new dimension of our relationships.
I'm still learning from them every single day.
Do I Need to Know Anything About Horses?
Absolutely not!
In fact, you don't need any previous horse experience at all.
Our Spirit Horse Journeys are non-riding experiences, and everything is guided with safety and comfort in mind.
You don't need to know how to lead a horse, understand horse behavior, or even feel particularly confident around them when you arrive.
Curiosity and an open mind are plenty.
And if you're a lifelong horse person like me?
You might be surprised by how differently you begin to see these animals when you stop focusing on riding, training, or performance and simply explore the relationship.
Is This the Same as Equine Therapy?
Not exactly.
There are many different approaches to equine-assisted services, and the terminology can sometimes be confusing.
Clinical equine-assisted psychotherapy involves mental health treatment provided by appropriately licensed professionals.
Our Spirit Horse Journeys focus on experiential learning, self-awareness, emotional exploration, personal growth, and connection.
We work with collaborators who bring different backgrounds and areas of expertise, and some of our offerings incorporate complementary wellness practices.
These experiences are not a substitute for professional mental health care.
You don't need to be working through a major life challenge to participate, either.
Sometimes people come because they're curious.
Sometimes they're navigating a transition, feeling disconnected, or searching for a little clarity.
And sometimes they simply want to spend a beautiful day with horses, nature, and other women.
All of those are wonderful reasons to come.
What Will I Take Away From the Experience?
That's probably the hardest question to answer.
Because I genuinely don't know.
And I don't think I'm supposed to.
Everyone arrives with their own experiences, expectations, questions, and hopes.
One person may discover something about how they communicate.
Another may recognize a pattern in their relationships.
Someone else might experience an unexpected sense of peace, confidence, joy, or connection.
And another person may simply have a wonderful day in the company of horses.
There's no requirement to have a breakthrough.
No expectation that you share something deeply personal.
No pressure to feel or experience anything in particular.
My hope is that you leave feeling a little more connected to who you really are.
Perhaps with a new perspective, a lighter heart, or a deeper appreciation for yourself and the world around you.
And hopefully with a whole lot of love.
An Invitation From the Herd
When my husband and I moved to Mexico, I never imagined that our ranch would become a place where people came to explore personal growth and connection through horses.
Instead, these remarkable animals have helped me discover an entirely new purpose.
And one of the greatest joys of this chapter of my life is being able to share them with others.
At Rancho Baile de la Luna, just outside San Miguel de Allende, we offer Spirit Horse Journeys, private equine-assisted experiences, and other opportunities to connect with horses in meaningful ways.
You don't need to arrive with answers.
You don't even need to arrive with questions.
Just bring yourself, exactly as you are.
The horses will meet you there.
Chris and the herd
Rancho Baile de la Luna, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Curious about experiencing it for yourself? Explore our upcoming Spirit Horse Journeys or contact us on WhatsApp at +1 909-240-4981 to learn more.
