Observations from the Herd - August Edition
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Hello friends,
Summer has a way of inviting us to slow down just enough to notice what has been quietly unfolding around us.
There has been creativity in the pasture, new friendships in the herd and meaningful partnerships in our community. Exciting plans beginning to take shape for the fall.
Here's a glimpse of what's been happening at the farm.
🎨 Horses, Brushes and Creativity
On one of the hottest days of the summer, artist Susan Murphy joined us to host our very first Plein Air Art with Horses workshop.
Participants, ranging in age from seven years and up, spent the day creating artwork alongside the herd, sharing ideas, laughter and quiet moments of observation.
Auna and Diestro seemed especially interested in everyone's artistic efforts. Perhaps they have artistic talents of their own!
The day reminded us that creativity and curiosity often grow together.
If exploring creative expression alongside horses is something that interests you, we'd love to hear from you. We're already imagining future art experiences at the farm.
💚 Celebrating Different Abilities
This summer we completed a four-week program with a wonderful group of young women through Canopy Support Services each bringing their own unique strengths and perspectives.
Together we explored mindfulness, self-care and healthy boundaries through partnership with the horses.
Working alongside people of all abilities continues to be one of the greatest privileges of Horse Discovery.
If you know someone who would benefit from horse time, send them a link to this page on our website: https://www.horsediscovery.com/kidsandhorses
Canadian Abilities Foundation
We're pleased to share an opportunity on behalf of Canadian Abilities Foundation. If you know someone with diverse abilities who is interested in gaining work experience or developing job readiness skills, we encourage you to learn more about their programs.
🐴 A Little Update from Diestro
It has now been two months since Diestro joined the herd, and it already feels as though he has always belonged here.
He has settled beautifully into herd life and is quickly becoming one of the first horses to wander over whenever people enter the pasture.
One of his favourite places is standing just outside the run-in shelter, looking through the window to see what's happening inside.
He has also learned the feeding routine remarkably well. Every day he patiently waits by the aisle way for his very special (and very soupy!) dinner - a carefully prepared mix of high-protein feed, healthy fats, beet pulp, hay cubes, vitamins, minerals and, of course, carrot peelings.
His favourite human, Ingrid Brammer, makes sure he has all that he needs to regain some of the weight he lost this winter.
It won't be long before Diestro begins partnering in sessions.
It's funny how we can never imagine adding another horse to the herd... and then, once they're here, we can't imagine life without them.
🍂 Looking Ahead
We're booking individual sessions into September and beyond, and we're hoping to announce another Fall Meditation gathering very soon.
We're also excited to share that registration is now open for:
Unarmoured Women's Retreat
Saturday, October 3
Join Cheri Davidson and Janis Mirynech for a day of reflection, connection and meaningful discovery alongside the horses. We'll have a catered lunch from the Peddler Bistro and look forward to sunny fall weather for this day.
Have a peek at the agenda, more about Janis and how this will change the way you approach finances, relationships
and other areas of your life.
Unarmoured: A Women’s Retreat
CA$281.37
Book Now
🌕 Looking Up
The sky has some beautiful moments planned over the coming weeks.
July 29 – Full Moon – photo shows the moon rising beside our Tamarack tree.
August 12 – A partial solar eclipse will be visible across much of North America between approximately 1:00 and 3:00 pm (Eastern Time).
Nature is always reminding us to pause and look up.
🌿 Echoes from the Herd
One of the new ideas taking shape at Horse Discovery is something we're calling Echoes from the Herd.
These are stories shared by participants about moments that stayed with them long after they left the farm.
Perhaps it was something a horse did.
Or a quiet realization.
Maybe it was simply a feeling that followed you home.
If you've visited Horse Discovery and would be willing to share a few words about your experience, we'd love to hear from you. With your permission, your story may become part of our growing collection of Echoes from the Herd.
"Being so close to such a large, strong, beautiful, and gentle animal as Soleil was incredibly moving. There really are no words - just feelings. I left feeling peaceful, and I think I'm eager to experience more. Your session with Soleil came at exactly the right time. It helped me realize how much fear and uncertainty can stand in the way of connection, and how wonderful it feels when those walls begin to come down. In a way, I think my experience with Soleil prepared me to open my heart to [my puppy] in a different way." Karin
Until We Meet Again
Follow along on Instagram or Facebook for life at the farm, upcoming events and quiet moments that might brighten your day.
Until next time...
May you notice.
May you remain curious.
And when life asks a little more of you than usual, may you remember to find your own way 'back to grazing'.
With gratitude,
Cheri, the herd, and everyone at Horse Discovery
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