The Herd
Cassiopeia
Henry
Lightning
Dougal
Pete
I couldn’t offer the work I offer, if I didn’t have the herd I have. My horses are primarily equines that have needed a soft place to land, an equine that has a story to share, a space they would like to hold for another. What makes a Therapy Horse? I believe, it is allowing the horse to be a horse. My herd have been classed as quirky, funny and loving. I work with my horses in the same way as I would like them to work with my clients. In relationship, respecting boundaries, understanding our energy between one another, allowing my herd to say no. This is so important. My horses have consent all of the time and really watching their body language. Through this way of working, they always have choice if they want to be with a client and can authentically be with them, even if the client is not quite there yet. My herd step up in different situations. Cass knows when you need to be held in the mama hug. She holds space for a person who have not always had an easy time, trauma, loss. She knows who needs her to step in and hold that space in order for her to process. Henry, who may be a little neurodivergent himself, attracts every male, young and old who could possibly be on the spectrum…. even baby Pete, shows us adults have to have fun, take that time to play.
Cassie is a 22 year old Thoroughbred. I have had Cassie since March 2021. She is one of the most sensitive horses I have ever had. She feels everything, and strongly. I have written blog posts about Cassie's healing journey. From her own history, she has become a very powerful healing partner. She knows who needs what and will actively find the person who needs her and will offer herself to them. I have watched this time and time again and it blows my mind. There is just something about this girl. She has taught me so much. Patience, not to give up and to just hold space for magic to happen. I ask her permission for everything. Everything is a discussion. If she gives me a no and she knows how to let me know she is not comfortable or doesn't want to do something, I back off and wait until she is ready. She has learned how to regulate herself, something she was incapable of doing when I first had her. I can see her processing the situation and looking to me for reassurance and then trusting that and working through it with big releases. She has the most gentle soul and I just love her to bits. One of Cass’s wishes, was to become a mum one last time, so I also have her beautiful baby boy (actually, he is 20 months now), Pete. He has been a gift to us all. The sire is Chicago, Tracey Epp's stallion. I wrote a while back how he was going to be a very special baby, not just because of her parentage, but also because of the journey Cass has had to get here and have a baby on her terms. Cass has fully embraced being a mama to Pete. Like us all, it has aged her, but she is has this contentment about her, it enabled her to mature and be responsible for her boy and the rest of the herd.
Henry, my eight year old, he is one of the most playful horses I have ever known. His little nose is always on the go, exploring his surroundings and his people. Henry has proven to be a great horse in sessions, he is sensitive and intuitive to the clients needs. Henry is on his own timeline when it comes to his training. He went away for training in 2021, but he just was not ready. I finally sat on him in Spring of 2025. Unfortunately, he developed uveitis and has lost all his eyesight in his left eye and about 95% in his right. This has meant he has had to navigate a whole new world, as he lost his sight just before we moved to the East Coast. He is adapting to his new space, but as with everything with Henry, it takes time. Everyone learns at a different rate, this is true for horses as well as humans. He is also an Appaloosa, they are a little spotty on the inside as well as the out! Henry and I will start training together again this year, we will be going snail slow, as everything is new and scary. He is my unicorn and soul horse.
Lightening is a palamino (golden), 21 year old gelding Lightening is quiet and sensitive, he wants his little herd around him and is happiest when he is in the middle of everything. Lightning lost his partner in crime, Clyde in 2024, so has been grieving and coming to terms with life without his friend. Working in the kids programs brings him back to life, but like anything, we listen and if he is having an off day, we honor that. Lightning is loving his life in NS. He stands outside in the elements, you can see in his face and body, that it makes him feel alive. I am hoping he will bond with Dougal as time goes on, but he is a very content little guy.
Dougal is 21 years old, Welsh pony. He joined the herd this year (2026) in Feb. As usual. I wasn’t really looking for another herd member, not in the dead of winter anyway, but he came up and after meeting him, I knew he would fit in beautifully. He is full of life, mischievous, but oh man, the biggest snuggle bug. He and Lightning are becoming reluctant friends, but Dougal hangs with whomever is willing to share a haynet! Pete loves to tease him as Dougal will squeal when he has enough, but of course, Pete thinks that is great! Dougal is going to be an asset to the kids program we offer and also to our women’s retreats, as this guy will never refuse a hug!
Pete is my 2 year old Thoroughbred x Belgium Warmblood. This is Cass’s son. He is my baby. Pete has taught all of us how to be free, playful, happy and loving. He has brought Henry back out of his shell, taught him to play again (even if there are a few accidents here and there), and they are two peas in a pod. He has the kindest temperament, very intelligent and just wants to please. We are learning together and he teaches me patience but also how to create very clear boundaries as I am not a horse and when 800 lbs of horse wants to play and doesn’t know how big he is, we need to have those boundaries! I am so excited to see what this baby offers in his future and I thank Cass for bringing him into our lives.