www.whisperingherd.com

Today I awoke to a brilliant cloudless sky. A welcome change from the cold and even snowy last two days. The energy here is raw much like the landscape and wind. Huge skies, sage, cacty, brush, dust, clay dry earth, huge farm freshly plowed fields with Mountains in the far distance. The weather here is unforgiving, raw and crisp. Winters must be very harsh.  Despite being early May, yesterday felt like a cold winter day back in the Koots. At 7,200 ft there is a lot of variability in the weather up here and the wind is strong.
I feel so grateful to experience the sacred space here with lots of spaciousness. I have been here four days now and getting into the rhythm of the ranch here with Robbie, Jennifer and Cristy along with all the critters. I finally feel like have landed.

There is a natural flow that happens and although there is always much to do, the vibe is generally unhurried and holistic. This in kinship to Wu Wei. While "things get done" its not about the doing. Its all about process, readiness, timing. Much like nature and the its natural cycles, seasons. We do the chores as they need to be done withough clinging strickly to a rigid agenda.
Initially when I met the herd I thought there were 9 horses, there is 10, I hadn't met Bella yet, a little Paint.
I felt so stocked to go for a ride on Apache a 16 hands white and Bay Paint Tennesse Walker gentle giant. Today I had the honour of grooming, doing circle games and riding Star a Fox Trot and absolute beauty. Deep shiny black once groomed, this amazing mare invited me first thing this morning to respectfully enter her meditative circle. I laid close to the herd and decided to lay as the vibe was sleepy. As I laid down, Star, Cody, Magick and Bridgid lay too, it was so wonderful to be resting trustingly with these magnificient Equines. I have laid many times with Tamrah, breathing in synch and resting deeply in a state of reverence and prayer but today to be amongst the herd of ten with eventually 6 of them trusting to lay and rest near me was a rare gift.
Thus far my days comprise of awakening with the sunrise, meditating, stretching, playing the flute, hangin' with the Herd, sharing meals and chores and sharing horse time with Robbie the host and Buffalo Women Ranch integrative healing facilitator and Jennifer and Cristy, two  young women who are also here on a work study. Cristy had been here over a year and Jennifer has just begun her second month. I enjoy their company. Jovial, fun, honest, soulful, strong, energetic, thoughtful, they too are on their path to deepening their own connection with themselves, the Way of the Horse and sharing their many gifts. They have been showing me the ropes so to speak in terms of ranch routine and responsibility.
There will be clients at the ranch later on in the month so I have a chance to do alot of my own inner work before I assist and support others on their own healing and learning path with the guidance of horses. The journey thus far is as intense as the landscape, honest and deep.
I had a few very insightful experiences with several of the horses already that confirmed how horses are amazing teachers for presence, trust, respect and community.
Magick, Apache and Star have touched my heart thus far. Magick with his bold reminder to trust my instincts and to enter equine space with clarity, intention and respect and to allow for trust before asking the horse to join-up. He did this by nipping my thigh when I approached him too quickly not allowing for our energetic fields to join and our breaths to synchronize. The result: a humbled selft as well as a huge bruise. A worth while occurence, a good teaching. Indeed while setting intentions clearly, to respectfully enter the herd and wait for a clear yes in safety and invitation form this Teachers. I saw a different side of Magick this morning as he too lay trustingly just a few feet away from me and his other herd mates.
Apache reminded me to allow for collection (physical and emotional) to happen naturally without force and that freedom is key. For instance when I first got on him in the fenced area he felt tense and grumpy. I persevered at communicating my pleasure for riding him and as soon as we headed for the open trail he relaxed much more prefering the fun trail ride as opposed to arena work something he has apparently done a lot of in his past as a show horse.
Today Star who I thought was a thouroughbred, apparentely is a Fox Trot gaited horse. She reminded me of the power to prepare slowly as I groomed her slowly, deliberately in preparation for the round pen play. She was awesome on the longe line. We felt well connected. did circling games on both directions, lots of halts initiated gently with the energy through the rope. I gently rode her after bareback with a rope halter, no bit. Enjoyed her long and low walk encouraged her to strecth and then asked her if she wnated to join me in more active walk and then a trot. Her gait felt very different from what I am used to. She'll teach me to be a better feeler of movement and ultimatelly a better rider hopefully.
Trust was established. I look forward to being with her again and exploring together.
One of the highlights of my journey thus far is the sisterhood and support I feel from my hosts especially Jennifer. She has been so gracious in sharing glimpses of her own transformative experience. She's filled with joy and light and is also a fellow climber. We may go to Mesa Verde tomorrow afternoon... So with the gifts of presence, trust, respect, freedom and connection I welcome sleep.

P.S. Photos to come soon. I am awaiting my digital camera download wire Dave will mail me as I forgot to pack it. Thus far though I captured a few great images and Jennifer has a keen eye and took a bunch. I'll post pics as soon as I can.
With Love and Gratitude,
Anni