Pecan Creek Ranch

11/16/2025

Horses and humans share many facial expressions. Can you match these human and horse facial expressions? Put your matches in the comments.

Reading emotional expressions and body language is part of being successful socially.

Working with horses provides an opportunity to learn and practice these skills in a non-threatening environment while building a unique friendship.

11/15/2025

The client stands on the mounting block, his arms resting lightly on the back of his horse. A moment ago, he was excited about the opportunity to ask his horse about sitting on her back. Now, his body is frozen.

“What if she stops listening to me,” he whispers. Embedded in the client's words are fear of the horse changing, engaging in behavior that could physically hurt him, and possibly rejecting his attempts at a deeper connection.

We see these moments as pivotal to the client’s well-being. We will take as long as needed to explore the concerns that are surfacing and the ones that are more hidden. We will not push the client to get on the horse. Getting on the horse isn’t the goal, healthier relationships is the goal which are a result of the client listening to himself and to his horse.

We want our clients to understand that there is risk in every relationship. The risk of failure, rejection, emotional pain, abandonment and in the case of riding, physical pain.

Determining if the risks are worth it, can be a long journey!

11/13/2025

🌎 World Kindness Day 💛

Kindness isn’t a little thing — it isn't even a human thing. It is universal. Animals exhibit kindness, and so do trees. Kindness is something every being can give. It is a salve that heals ourselves, others and our communities.

Being kind isn’t only good for the world around us — it’s good for us, too. When we engage in acts of kindness, feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin are released in our brains, which reduce stress, boost mood, and strengthen our sense of connection.

🧠 Kindness is powerful for our mental health:
✨ It lowers anxiety and depression
💓 Increases feelings of happiness and self-worth
🤝 Builds social bonds and reduces loneliness
🌤️ Creates a sense of purpose and hope

An act of kindness doesn’t have to be grand — a genuine compliment, a patient ear, or a small gesture can make a big difference.

Today, let’s focus on being kind — toward others, and toward ourselves.

Because every act of compassion makes the world, and our minds, a little brighter. 💫

11/13/2025

For anyone feeling lost in the fog of grief and loss…

What if the moments that break us open are the very ones that lead us home?

Bettina shares a personal story of love, loss, and the quiet courage it takes to keep moving when the way forward disappears.

Read the story and join the conversation in Lessons from the Fog → https://naturallifemanship.com/through-the-fog-a-story-of-love-loss-and-healing/

11/12/2025

The client grabs a bucket of brushes as they head out to see their horse. “What would you like to work on today?” the team member asks as they walk out to the client’s horse.

“I just want to spend time with him,” the client replies.

“We’ve noticed that for the last few sessions, you’ve just wanted to brush him. Is brushing him moving you toward the relationship you want?”

“Not really,” the client admits.

“How come y’all don’t do something else then?”

“If I ask him to do something else, he might not want to and get mad,” the client explains.

“So if you ask him for what you want, he might refuse and get mad?”

“Yes,” the client whispers.

“It feels safer to just do what you know he likes,” says the team member. “Is that the relationship you want to have?”

The client shakes her head no and whispers, “But it’s the only kind I know.”

This client is fearful of deepening their relationship. It is bringing up some of the client’s fears of doing something wrong or asking too much, and the horse responding with anger. So, the client is remaining small and invisible to meet the needs of the horse and maybe some small needs of their own.

This fear is paralyzing the client and preventing them from forming more meaningful connections and getting their needs met in the relationship.

The therapy team has to gently hold the client’s fear, provide support to the client and help the client explore the relationship the client really wants by being brave enough to ask small things of the horse and seeing the results.

11/11/2025

To every veteran — thank you for your service, your strength, and your unwavering commitment. We recognize the sacrifices made by you and your families, and we are deeply grateful. Your courage, sacrifice, and dedication protect not only our freedoms but the very spirit of our country.

May we carry this gratitude beyond today — by listening to veterans’ stories, supporting their well-being, and remembering that freedom is never free.

With heartfelt thanks — today and always.

11/09/2025

Iris gently communicates with Poppy on what to do with the barrel.

11/08/2025

“I can’t,” the client says as they collapse to the ground. “This is too hard!”

The client’s defeat is palpable. They sit hunched over, chin tucked into their chest, eyes boring into the ground. “She just won’t listen,” the client explains.

What does the therapy team do in these moments? Do they have the client engage in something easier? Do they support and provide co-regulation? Do they give the client support and ask them to keep going?

Each of these responses present different opportunities.. None of them are the right or wrong choice. It really depends on the client’s nervous system, window of tolerance, patterns of interacting with self and others, treatment goals and where they are in the therapeutic process.

If you make a choice that is misattuned or outside of the client’s window of tolerance, provide co-regulation, and support. Then, repair and try again.

11/07/2025

Every morning Andie lays at the front door and waits for the first client to arrive. If there is a break between clients she will lay at the front waiting for the next person to arrive.

She recognizes the vehicles clients drive and lets me know if a vehicle she doesn't recognize pulls up.

Some mornings she offers an exuberant greeting and on other mornings just a tail wail and a nose bump. It enjoy watching client’s burst into a grin when they see her. She seems to enjoy them as much as they enjoy her.

11/06/2025

Just a little something to bring a smile or two.

Poppy sporting my PCR jacket.

11/05/2025

Registrations are now open!
New Confidence Recovery workshop hosted by Healing with Horses Ranch

Confidence Recovery Workshop for horses and their riders or handlers.

11/05/2025

The client’s horse stands on top of her, wedging the client between her horse and the gate.

Team member, “ How are you feeling with your horse standing so close to you?”

Client, “It’s fine.”

Team member, “I’m clarifying, it’s fine that she is standing so close, or you are fine with her standing so close?”

“Both,” the client laughs.

Team member, “If you needed to, could you move away?”

The client looks around at her predicament.

Client smiles, “I could climb the gate.”

Team member, “You could. Would you feel comfortable with that solution?”

The client semi-shrugs.

Team member, “Seems like a part of you isn’t too comfortable with that solution.”

Client, “It will be fine.”

It appears to the team that the client is engaging in minimizing how she truly feels.

Team member, “Let’s pretend for a moment that you don’t want to climb the gate. What other options do you have?”

The client doesn't answer. It is possible the client sees no other options.

Team member asks more directly, “Is that the only option you see?”

Client, “Maybe I could ask her to back up a smudge.”

The client’s face flushes, and her breathing becomes shallow.

The team notices the change. They are not sure what contributed to the changes in the client’s body, so one team member walks toward the client and says, “Is it okay if I come stand with you?”

The client nods that it is okay. Team member, “I am just going to stand here and support you.” Team member takes slow, deep breaths, using their body to help regulate the client.

The client whispers, “The moment I think about asking for more space, I feel scared that she will leave me.”

Team notices the client’s body tightening, and the client seems a little unsteady on their feet.

The thought of being left is activating this client’s nervous system. More than likely, this is a very old fear, originating from childhood when the threat of being left was life-threatening.

Team member, “I can see that is an uncomfortable idea. If it is okay with you, I could be here with you and we could ask her together for this much room.” (Team member puts fingers a couple of inches apart)

The team needs to balance supporting the client, helping them regulate, and changing their pattern of being fine with whatever behavior the horse wants to do.