Lead with Heart: Horses Hold the Dream Steady: Episode Two

Summary

In this episode, Maia and Chloe share personal stories about their horses and properties, while discussing their connections to sacred land and intuition. They explore  the therapeutic and transformative power of horses and nature in women's lives, with Chloe sharing her journey of creating retreats on her Texas property and Maia discussing her work focused on women's relationships with land and horses. The conversation concludes with a discussion of retreat approaches and creative processes, emphasizing the importance of providing meaningful and transformative experiences for clients.

Chloe's Dream Property and Horses

Chloe shares her journey of finding her dream property and horses in Texas. She describes how her childhood love for horses and connection to nature led her family and her, in her childhood, to a 500-acre property with an old western town. She spoke to finally finding her current property in Texas, fulfilling a long-held dream. Chloe also recounted how she found her horses, Raziel and Stevie, through a rescue organization, and how the animals chose her as their owner. The conversation highlights Chloe's deep connection to her horses and the land, as well as the challenges and joys of finding a place that truly feels like home.

Horses as Transition Guides

Chloe shares her experience of moving to a new place with horses, describing how the animals helped her through a difficult transition by maintaining a steady presence and encouraging her to embrace her new responsibilities - how they "hold the dream steady." Maia echoes Chloe's sentiment, highlighting the powerful connection people feel with horses and the horses' ability to provide guidance and support during challenging times. They also discuss Hillary Schneider's work in British Columbia, where she holds space for an intuitive connection with horses on her 80-acre property, offering retreats and wisdom to those seeking guidance.

Women's Land and Horse Empowerment

Maia and Chloe discuss the experience of women owning and caring for land and horses, with Maia sharing her personal journey of taking on responsibility for her horses and learning from her heritage and intuition. They explore how horses and the land can teach resilience and intuitive connection, with Chloe highlighting Hillary's role as a supportive anchor for many women on this path. Maia also shares a vision about horses helping humans transform consciousness, emphasizing the energetic and healing aspects of working with horses and nature.

Intuitive Horse Retreat Vision

Chloe shares her journey of creating retreat offerings on her land, which began when she felt a calling to work with horses and discovered two unfinished cabins on her property. She described how her horse Dreamer, a Medicine Hat horse with sensitive traits, played a pivotal role in solidifying her vision for hosting retreats. Chloe explains that her approach is intuitive and grounded in the present moment, contrasting with her husband's analytical nature. She emphasizes her preference for avoiding rigid methods or modalities, instead focusing on creating a space where participants can connect with the horses and land in a natural way.

Retreat Preferences: Individual vs. Group

Chloe and Maia discuss their preferences for conducting retreats and working with horses. Chloe expresses a preference for one-on-one sessions over group settings, citing a deeper level of transformation and a personal capacity for handling energy that diminishes with larger groups. Maia shares her experience with group retreats and her appreciation for both individual and group dynamics, while acknowledging Chloe's preference for intimacy. They agreed on the value of both approaches, with Chloe noting that her land is designed for smaller groups but that she still enjoys group experiences occasionally.

Transformative Retreats and Nature Experiences

Chloe discusses her retreats' design, emphasizing the importance of personal space and intentional solitude for participants to process and integrate experiences. She describes the retreats as "medicine journeys" and "like vision quests," where participants confront fears and undergo transformation with the support of the land, herd, and facilitators. Maia shares her interest in how ceremonies and nature experiences during adolescence can imprint values and help individuals discover their unique gifts. They discuss the therapeutic value of nonverbal interactions and the horses' unique consciousness, as well as the importance of allowing participants to process their experiences at their own pace without immediate interpretation.

Transformative Horse-Inspired Retreats

Chloe discusses her creative process of creating items like candles and scarves inspired by horses, emphasizing her intention to embody and amplify the energy of the horses. She explains her approach to retreats, focusing on deep self-inquiry and providing a nurturing environment for participants. Maia shares her vision of women and horses as integral to a new age of intuition and stewardship, comparing the experience to traditional ayahuasca ceremonies and emphasizing the importance of preparation and sacredness. Both express their commitment to providing a serious and transformative experience for their clients.