Indigo Horse Wisdom in Beechworth, Victoria | Farm

Indigo Horse Wisdom

Locality: Beechworth, Victoria

Phone: +61 404 877 787

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25.01.2022 Thank you & Welcome to our recent new friends we havent met yet (FB likes!) Wondering what Equine Assisted Learning model we are offering here...? The most comprehensive & ethical of course! ... Read on here to learn more, drop me a message or give me a call...

24.01.2022 Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside ourselves. Bessel A. van der Kolk, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma EAL skills clients with regulation techniques & creates a safe environment to begin ‘being with’ and eventually ‘leaning into’ discomfort - it’s a counterintuitive action, to lean into discomfort rath...er than move away from, however it is what is required in order to ‘befriend ourselves’, all of ourselves! The EAL model we use gradually & safely increases our tolerance of all experiences & our ability to respond to life with choice full action #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #beechworth #northeastvictoria #besselvanderkolk #healingtrauma

24.01.2022 Its perfectly okay to not feel okay! Its perfectly understandable to be experiencing anxiety & many other emotions right now! Our nervous systems are designed to respond to a life threatening event and then return to regulation. Our nervous systems arent designed for prolonged threat & isolation. Heres some supportive phrases you can use both with yourself & others

24.01.2022 So many emotions over the last few weeks, now with associated deep tiredness, as I reflect on and integrate my personal experience. I feel Ive just had my eyes opened to realize what dedication is required in order to stay grounded and centered amidst chaos and crisis. Over the last few weeks I largely forgot to employ the most basic of the regulation & resourcing techniques I help my clients to learn & practice: the 4 Steps to the present moment. I consider myself a cal...m and steadfast person in a crisis, however, this was enduring, close to home (emotionally), and multi-layered for me so instead I became very cognitive and my self-care declined. I struggled with decision making around how to keep my herd of horses safe in such an uncertain environment and how to keep myself calm - despite having a fire plan and being (mostly) organized, the loss and terrifying experience of family at the south coast of NSW propelled me into my material - my core belief became very active & felt almost crippling... until I found enough clarity to see it, embrace it and bring it closer, and allow it some space.... then relaxation & calmness re-entered. Im so grateful for the learnings and the awareness, and the clear experience that there is great healing in embracing and accepting ourselves and our inner material, right where we are in this moment of our journey, and to give to ourselves in the act of radical kindness and compassion. One tear at a time , as they say in Gestalt therapy. We are all a beautiful work in progress - becoming more aware, more practiced & more skillful with each opportunity (if thats what we welcome) Tonight Im welcoming in gratitude, with the view across our neighbors paddocks with a stunning, smokey, glowing red sun - for all the wrong reasons - but stunning nevertheless. Much love, kindness & compassion to everyone, especially those feeling the deeply personal and simultaneously collective effects of fires around our country. #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #fourstepstothepresent #bushfiresaustralia #beechworth #kindness #compassion

23.01.2022 Wet & soggy underfoot but the sun has momentarily appeared after days of rain, sleet, snow & cold! YAY!!! Ready for our next client and one of my favorites sessions - the 7th and last session of the Horse Wisdom Program - Facing Lifes Challenges! Think of a challenge that you experience in life, make an obstacle course to represent it & invite a horse into it with you. Making your way around it, call on the skills & knowledge youve learned so far - regula...tion skills; awareness; boundaries; thoughts and feelings; friendship & asking for help! I love seeing the different ways this experiment is created & stepped through & how clients experientially apply these essential learnings here in the paddock as a practice space for out in the arena of life! #indigohorsewisdom #horsehelpinghumans #experientiallearning #learningbydoing #norightorwrongway #lifeasastringofexperiements

23.01.2022 Helping mother earth - one EAL session at a time! We are now donating 2% of every session to Onegirl charity - Educating girls is the number one way to fight climate change, to reduce poverty, and to create a fair and sustainable planet! ... At Indigo Horse Wisdom the programs we offer locally aim to increase the choices available to an individual, thereby improving their life! This small contribution we make will go towards supporting girls abroad to stay in school longer, achieving higher education levels & life skills, thereby increasing the choices they have available to them in life, such as, career, marriage & family planning etc The ripple effects of this are huge because little girls with dreams become women with vision! For more information visit www.onegirl.org.au

23.01.2022 A beautiful day for a celebration - this mornings young client decided that Ruby & Ollie could get married! Whilst exploring the theme of awareness - awareness of self, other & the environment - we groomed the ponies, picked flowers for the brides mane & harvested locally grown, fresh cut spring grass for the reception meal! Guests Tommy & Spud watched on, eagerly awaiting the tasty reception treat!... Learning about & becoming more aware of ones emotions, sensations & thoughts; the needs of others & relationship; and the outer environment - all through play & creativity! #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #horseshelpinghumans #beechworth #kidslearningthroughplay

23.01.2022 FARM SIT opportunity... We’ve been super busy of late with a full EAL client schedule & all the upkeep of wonderful springtime! We’ve earned ourselves a little rest & are putting out feelers for a reliable farm, feathered & furry sitter to spend a week at our home in the most glorious of all the seasons! ... 6 nights during late October Horses, chooks & a cat to cuddle References required Pls PM for more info

22.01.2022 Facing Lifes Challenges - the last of 7 sessions in the Horse Wisdom program This young client chose to build an obstacle course to represent the challenge he... has with learning decimals in maths - and the frustration he feels from that. First, Olly gave him a great opportunity to be with his frustration, preferring to eat rather than have his halter put on! Our client kept trying despite feeling challenged; paused, stepped back & resourced himself; tried again; then asked for my help! All the skills hed learnt over the last 6 weeks pulled together before the experiment even started! Second, he felt ready to walk Spud around this time, having only walked Ruby & Olly (both much smaller horses). He said to me whilst walking towards Spud with the halter "Actually I feel a bit nervous"...... I congratulated him on his bravery, we stopped, stood together near Spud, practiced regulation and resourcing skills, and within a minute he was ready to go! Not only did he walk Spud but he took him through his obstacle course as well! So pleased to offer this program and see children as young as 7yrs be aware of their feelings, accept and welcome them, AND regulate & support themselves so effectively! (photo permission granted) #equineassistedlearning #socialemotionallearning #learningthroughexperience #indigohorsewisdom #gratitude #horseshelpinghumans #beechworth

22.01.2022 Being ‘missed’ by another can feel hurtful, being ‘seen’ (received or accepted) by another is a healing event

22.01.2022 Sending love & light to all who are facing the challenge of threat of bushfire at present... among them are beautiful equine assisted colleagues and their healing herds... some are evacuating horses, others staying put and opening gates after writing their phone number on their horses hooves in order to be reunited in the aftermath. I can only imagine how stressful this time is for all concerned, including the hard working fire & emergency crews and relief workers. Stay sa...fe everyone, may you & your loved ones & four-legged furries be held & guided by the divinity of the field & see out this time with minimal loss Xo #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #staysafe

21.01.2022 Hows your relationship traveling through this uncertain time of change and upheaval? Conflict happens in all relationships, particularly during a time of crisis. It is not a problem in and of itself, rather its how we manage that conflict that matters & leads to togetherness or separation. The Gottman Institute have conducted years of research into intimate relationships - here they describe communication styles that, according to their research, can predict the end of a re...lationship. Enter stage left - the Four Horseman. Luckily, they also offer the antidotes to those communication styles & connecting ways to navigate through. https://www.gottman.com//the-four-horsemen-recognizing-cr/ Visit their website and blog for more supportive resources www.gottman.com

20.01.2022 Greetings from us here Much love to you all, wherever and however you are in the world today XO

20.01.2022 Go kindly & compassionately

20.01.2022 Sunday wash day.... theres a cute little miniature horse with a very white coat under all that old yack-style winter coat, dirt & grime! She didnt stay clean for long mind you! This is Ruby aka Roo Roo in our house. She joined us this winter as our littlest herd member at about 90cm tall. Shes lovely to be with, gentle yet strong, little yet feisty, and about as bombproof as you could find! ... Our one-eyed, pocket rocket, ginger ninja buddy! #indigohorsewisdom #horseshealinghumans #beechworth #meettheteam #mycofacilitator #ourteammate

20.01.2022 Greetings from us here Much love to you all, wherever & however you are in the world today xo

19.01.2022 Avoiding or denying painful & challenging experiences may have been wise and necessary in the past to ensure our safety & therefore, our very survival. In order to live a life free of our past conditioning, which may be no longer helpful nor required, we must begin to turn and face challenging material. First we need to create safety - a safe environment within our selves and in relationship with other. EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) equips clients with skills to create inn...er safety & resourcing, as well as a physically & emotionally safe container between practitioner, horses & client, in which to begin exploring & experimenting. #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #traumainformed #resourcing #regulating #innersafety #feelingsareinformation

19.01.2022 Do you love chocolate like we love chocolate? Animal Assisted Therapy can release many hormones such as Phenylethylamine which has the same effect as chocolate! Just one of the many ways they bring goodness, health & wellness to our lives ... Source: https://www.uclahealth.org/pac/animal-assisted-therapy Shared from Equine Psychotherapy Institute Australia #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #horsesandchocolate

18.01.2022 Horses helping humans, and other little beings... My daughter came running to me yesterday so excited "My heart is bursting with joy!" at finding this little nest made of horse hair, sheeps wool & other bits and pieces sitting in a little shrub a metre from the ground and only 2 metres from the main house. The eggs are tiny, no more than 3cm long. One of the beautiful gifts of the field that encite wonder and awe of the natural world that I enjoy including in sessions where p...ossible to help keep us connected with our surroundings & the little things we often miss from having full minds & busy schedules. Looking forward to sharing this little joy with clients this week #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #inthefield #aweandwonder # thenaturalworld

18.01.2022 A simple concept, not necessarily easy - a practice that requires commitment & willingness.... and leads to a profound change = a more choiceful life!

17.01.2022 As a parent myself, this will be my motto over the upcoming period of remote schooling... This leads me to think about the notion of task over relationship & relationship over task.... sometimes in life we need to value one more than the other, at other times we can strike more of a balance. For example, if my horse is in danger and I need him to move now(!) - I will strongly insist that he moves now, as in that moment its in everyones best interest that I value task... over relationship. If we are going for a relaxing stroll I can be more allowing and let him choose where he stops to graze and for how long. This values & therefore, strengthens the relationship. I invite you to become curious, in a kind & compassionate way, about your preferences for valuing task and/or relationship in different situations & settings. Its inevitable that at this time as parents we will miss the mark & cause rupture to our relationship with our kids - understandable at such a challenging time for all in the arena! Lets be kind to ourselves & let this quote inspire a sense of allowance & letting go of set academic outcomes as much as possible.

16.01.2022 The Blue Knot Helpline has specialist trauma counsellors available and operates 9-5 Mon-Sun AEST on 1300 657 380. You can also email [email protected] #pell

16.01.2022 Like so many of us, the last week has been gobbled up mentally, emotionally & physically by fire related goings on. Thankfully we arent under threat at present however family at the south coast of NSW has suffered significant loss and ongoing stress. A very emotional time for so so many. I have been feeling heart broken. I moved all four of our horses out before Saturdays extreme fire forecast but will likely bring them home today or tomorrow, despite a severe fire foreca...st on Friday and fires all over our region. Its stressful & confusing & difficult to make decisions about but currently our herd are standing in small yards - albeit safe & fed (expensive diet hay as they are all special needs) - yet theyre unable to move freely & simply be horses in their natural way. Risk is inherent any which way I realise, so Im choosing to trust that our preparedness, awareness & higher guidance keeps us, all our communities, firies & emergencies services safe for the rest of summer Praying for rain... #charliemackesy #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #beechworth #staysafe

16.01.2022 Self acceptance is a journey as weve often learned in childhood to dismiss, deny & distract ourselves from the more difficult emotions - fear / anxiety, anger/frustration & sadness. Whilst that may have been necessary and appropriate when we were younger, and therefore very intelligent and wise, we can now learn to more fully accept all aspects of ourselves! The beauty of this journey is, the more we can notice, acknowledge, accept and eventually welcome the more uncomfortable emotions, the more we can also allow & experience joy in life! The horses and I can help you develop these skills & provide you with a supportive, safe environment as you learn. #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #horseshelpinghumans #beechworth #selfacceptance #charliemackesy

15.01.2022 Social isolation is no excuse for violence & current restrictions across Victoria do not apply if you are unsafe. Please know & share the following from the DHHS: ..You can leave home if there is family violence, or violence by another person in the home, and you are at risk. If you are stopped by police, tell them you are feeling unsafe at home and they will help you. Safe accommodation and support for family violence is available. Call safe steps on 1800 015 188 or em...ail [email protected] for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/family-violence-crisis-response

14.01.2022 Grateful to receive & share these warm words from a happy client... "Watching and listening to my son learn and grow with Katie and the horses was a satisfying experience for both myself as a parent and my son as a growing individual. The skills my son gained will last a lifetime and we plan on visiting again next year. Katie was professional, open, and understanding. She individualized my sons time with her and the horses, and her gentle nature instantly made me and my son feel at ease. What the horses and Katie offer is a unique and extremely beneficial experience, one which i highly believe can touch and benefit anyone in one way or another. Thank you Katie and horses " #indigohorsewisdom #horseshelpinghumans #happyclient #horsewisdomprogram #socialemotionallearning #lessonsforlife #theequinepsychotherapyinstitute

14.01.2022 Indigo Horse Wisdom acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country of the land in which we live and work, the Dhudhuroa people, a sub-clan of the Pangarang people, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We are grateful to live near & enjoy significant sites like Yeddonba at the base of Mt Pilot which was visited by these clans, along with the Quat Quatta and Minjambutta clans as a ...spiritual and ceremonial site #firstnations #naidocweek #indigohorsewisdom #horseshelpinghumans #beechworth #healing #gratitude

13.01.2022 The Window of Tolerance is an essential aspect of all EAL sessions - for children, youth & adults! Learning & practicing regulation & resourcing is the first step in widening our window of tolerance (WOT), in a safe & supportive environment. An expanded WOT increases enjoyment in life & leads to a greater ability to learn, love and be loved! #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #beechworth #windowoftolerance #regulation #resourcing

12.01.2022 So much rain over the last few days & instant winter! The Woolshed Falls at the back of us today...

11.01.2022 WELCOME to our page! Beginning of a new year, beginning of a new chapter! Were soon to be setting up home and herd on a beautiful, heart-shaped property just outside Beechworth, Victoria. Our offer of equine assisted learning (EAL) will commence in February 2017, limited sessions by appointment. Equine assisted learning is for everyone - no horse experience necessary. EAL involves a supportive interaction of client, practitioner and horse. It gently invites an exploration ...of self in the present moment, and guides clients to begin to develop a deep awareness of the self and ones environment - innate qualities of the horse that they naturally model so beautifully! This leads to a more integrated and authentic self, and therefore greater choices and freedom in life. We look forward to welcoming you! #IndigoHorseWisdom #horseshelpinghumans #equineassistedlearning #beechworth #northeastvictoria

10.01.2022 From Bessel van der Kolk, trauma expert & author An informative 8 minute video including 4 essential steps to ease the stress of isolation & care for yourself during this time of physical distancing

09.01.2022 Deep bow of gratitude to these two beautiful men, who have done so much for me & our herd over the last 4 years! Theyve sourced & collected hay, done numerous fencing jobs & track building, feeding, poop collecting, listening to & enduring all my hair-brain horsey ideas! Hard going at times for dairy farmers to hear about these horses who cant eat clover & lush green grass(!?!?) Generous, kind, loving, supportive blokes! Love you both

08.01.2022 "I learnt about boundaries in our respectful relationships course at school, but no one ever pushed me so I never got the chance to practice doing it... until now!" (client age 13) On the benefits of experiential learning... A recent session on healthy relationships - exploring themes of mutuality, respect, play, boundaries & trust - became all about boundaries as our young client experienced rising levels of fear in her body (tightness in her belly & thoughts in her mind),... & a subsequent desire for space as Olly repeatedly stepped into her personal space bubble to rub his head on her seeking relief from the flies - a fair enough request but in this case, it became too much & unwelcome. This client got to EXPERIENCE boundary setting, not just learn about it cognitively. From her first awareness of fear, into resourcing & regulating herself (skills we had repeatedly practiced prior to), asking for my support, then persisting with kind but clear communication (reaffirming the boundary), to Olly eventually giving up & deciding to stand calmly next to us & manage his fly issue in a more contained way (with some additional support from us)! It didnt damage the friendship, on the contrary it seemed to strengthen it AND everyones needs were met. We all took a big breath out, Olly yawned numerous times, our client and I high fived as I congratulated her on what shed just done. Such valuable personal development through learning AND practicing life skills in a safe & dynamic environment, all whilst IN relationship with other!!! #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #experientiallearning #healthyrelationships #boundarysetting

08.01.2022 How much time do you spend in the present moment? Often we find ourselves thinking about the past or planning for or worrying about the future... Developing a practice of being present, grounded & centered leads to more choices in life! The horses live in this place - in authentic embodied awareness!... Let them show you how #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #present #groundedandcentred #embodied #authentic #beechworth #northeastvictoria #equinepsychotherapyaustralia

07.01.2022 Whilst in stage 3 restrictions here in the north east, Business Victoria have clarified that I can continue to offer sessions providing a Covid Safe plan is in place. Whilst our community remains free of known active cases I will continue to see clients with specific social & emotional support needs (weather permitting given we seem to currently be in rainbow season!) Sending love & warmth to all at this time #IndigoHorseWisdom #equineassistedlearning #emotionalregulation #resourcing #grounding #centring #cultivatingpresence #beechworth

07.01.2022 ‘Celebration’! The cycle of experience begins with an idea, moves into planning, action, completion, integration, celebration and finally closure. Beliefs & patterns we’ve developed along the way (about ourselves, others & life) can interrupt the cycle at various different points, halting our progress & stopping us from achieving our dreams! EAL with horses can identify the obstacles that halt the completion of your cycle and assist you to move forward choicefully to achieve ...your goals with awareness & kindness This morning I made chocolate fudge brownie to share with young clients after our session who had completed their 7 week Horse Wisdom program. This was a simple way to celebrate completion together - stop, take a breath, sit in the shade, chat and enjoy a tasty treat together And yes, I did also stop to smell the roses! #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #cycleofexperience #completion #celebration #overcomingobstacles

07.01.2022 "Healing is our responsibility because healing is actually not returning to how and who we were before, it is becoming someone we have never been someone stronger, someone wiser, someone kinder." I work in a trauma-informed equine model. As an EAL practitioner (not a psychotherapist) my sessions dont specifically address trauma. All our clients, from age 5 to 65yrs, are assisted in learning & applying foundation skills of emotional regulation & resourcing. Learning... these personal skills is both a fabulous resource to really thrive in life, and a pre-requisite for deepening into trauma healing, to ensure re-traumatisation does not occur. Please be in touch if youre ready to take your next step into your personal thriving journey #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #horseshelpinghumans #traumainformed #emotionalregulation #resourcing #experientiallearning #selfresponsibility

06.01.2022 How FULL is your mind this weekend? Mind full or mindful... aspects of both perhaps...? My practice this weekend is mindful, quality doing - cultivating being present as I work my way through a long list of things to do with limited time & wintery weather to navigate ... Caring for horses is a busy business - with constant upkeep of exercising, trimming feet, feeding specific minerals & soaking hay (our herd members all require low sugar diets), collecting poop & composting, testing for worms/worming, mowing & slashing spring grass, brushing out winter coats, booking the dentist & of course, time to simply BE with the herd - no tasks, no agenda... The 3 Steps to the Present / to Awareness is my compass & the horses are my teachers #equineassistedlearning #indigohorsewisdom #beechworthvictoria #threestepstoawareness #lessdoingmorebeing #cultivatingmypractice #practisingpractitioner

05.01.2022 Many enquiries these last few weeks as to wether we are offering sessions currently - Yes we are! Please send us a message or register your interest by email: [email protected] We will either book you or your child in now, or pop you on the list to start asap if tighter restrictions limit what we can offer in the short term Stay safe & cultivate kindness... #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #beechworth #horsehelpinghumans #kindnesscompassion

03.01.2022 Lovely expressions from clients in the equine assisted field And a lovely offering from colleague Lisa Coffey to these horses who give so much

02.01.2022 Happy Horses Birthday to my beautiful team of sentient beings, who never cease to amaze me with their ability to intuitively & lovingly help humans along on their path of growth & integration Thank you for your presence, patience & love #indigohorsewisdom #horseshelpinghumans #equineassistedlearning #sentientbeings #gratitudeandgrowth

02.01.2022 Its natural & understandable to feel anxious during these uncertain times - anxiety is actually an intelligent emotion that is designed to keep us alive! Its also a very difficult emotion to be with & to manage. Reach out for support if you feel alone or overwhelmed

01.01.2022 #stillfreephotography #anzacday #lestweforget #indigohorsewisdom #horseshelpingpeople

01.01.2022 So looking forward to spending the day tomorrow with a lovely group of women and my beautiful team of co-facilitators as part of the Emergence Program for Wholehearted Women here in Beechworth. We will be practicing grounding, centering & embodiment skills, cultivating awareness of ourselves, other and the environment & becoming curious about the field & what is has to offer us. Supporting ourselves and cultivating presence allows us more choice & to become powerful co-creato...rs in this world! The weather is cool, the shed is warm & the field is alive with fresh, expansive energy! #indigohorsewisdom #equineassistedlearning #emergence #womenemerging #beechworth @ Beechworth, Victoria