You are not broken.
Your nervous system is overfull.
There is a difference.
You have shown up to the appointments. Tried the practices. Bought the books. Done everything you thought you were supposed to do. Somewhere along the way, without meaning to, healing became another thing you were behind on. Another place you felt you weren't quite doing it right. The trying has quietly become its own weight.
What if the next step wasn't another
thing to try?
What if it was finally permission to stop.
This asks nothing of you except to show up as you actually are.
About Held by Horses - The Landing Sessions
Held by Horses - The Landing Sessions are one-on-one somatic sessions held in Armena, Alberta. At the heart of these sessions are horses. If you have no experience with horses, it is not a disadvantage. There is no right answer, no correct response, no way to do this wrong. Horses do not care what you have tried before. There is only you, showing up as you actually are.
My role is not to direct what happens or excavate what is buried. It is to create the conditions in which your body’s own intelligence can choose what it is ready to release. When the body picks it's own timing, it is not overwhelmed. What is released is not taken from you. It is offered by your body itself when it feels safe enough to let go.
What nobody says out loud...
You are wondering if it’s too late. If you have been in your head so long that this kind of work that is body-based, horse-involved and unfamiliar, will simply not work for you.
I want to be honest with you about that.
I cannot promise you a specific outcome. Nobody who is telling you the truth can. What I can tell you is that the body’s capacity to reorganize toward safety is not something that gets used up. It does not expire. It does not run out because you have tried other things. The innate intelligence your body was born with is still there. It has been overridden, buried and ignored but it has not left.
The horses will help your body find it. They always do.
*About Shari *
Equine-Assisted Development Facilitator
This work found me before I found it. I have sat where you are sitting. I know what it costs to keep trying. I know what becomes possible when the trying finally stops. The relief when the body is allowed to lead while being supported by the horses.
Body-Led Connection
I am not a therapist. I am not a horsemanship instructor. I am someone whose body stopped working until I found a process that finally listened to it. I am not going to give you another practice to maintain, another tool to apply, another thing to add to an already full life. For a nervous system already at capacity, one more thing to manage, even something good, quietly becomes one more burden.. That experience is the foundation of everything I offer.
What Becomes Possible
You will not leave a Landing Session with a new framework for your life.
What you will likely have is a quietness inside that wasn’t there when you arrived. A sense of having put something down without being entirely sure what it was. A feeling of being lighter and more present. Beginning to feel the ground is actually beneath your feet again. You catch moments of simple pleasure that used to slip past because survival was consuming everything. The goal is not a life without difficulty. It is a fundamentally different relationship with yourself inside that difficulty.
This is for you if...
You have arrived here feeling overwhelmed with no space or capacity for anything extra life has to offer. Your nervous system feels like it cannot settle. Negative life events make the load heavier and positive ones feel like too much effort to engage in and enjoy. You are willing to show up without a script and let your body lead. You are surviving but not living and crave moments to catch up.
You are able to come to Armena, Alberta.
This is not for you if...
You are looking for a quick fix or a dramatic transformation story. You want to be told what to do and given a system to follow. You are not willing to be present with what is actually happening in your body. You are in acute mental health crisis. This work is not a substitute for clinical care and I will always tell you that directly.
*Meet The Team*
Jimmy
Swayze
Two Socks
Whip
*Our Services*
Individual Sessions
Our one-on-one somatic sessions is for any person that feels they are surviving, not thriving and would like to utilize the calming presence of horses to facilitate nervous system regulation.
Each session lasts 75 to 90 minutes, allowing for a deep exploration of self and connection to your body’s innate wisdom.
The Equine Effect:
Womens' Event Series
Join our group workshops designed to foster community and support. These sessions combine different collaborative modalities, mindfulness, and equine interactions to enhance personal growth and therapeutic benefits in a group setting through the summer and fall.
Check out the "Equine Effect" page in the dropdown menu for details! We would love to see you there!
*Frequently Asked Questions*
What types of sessions do you offer?
Held by Horses - The Landing Sessions: one on one individual somatic sessions that support wellness and healing, inspired by the profound connection between horses and humans.
The Equine Effects Womens' Series: collaborative exeperiences designed to foster connection, healing, and personal growth through the powerful presence and intuitive wisdom of horses.
How can I book a session?
Booking a session is easy! You can reach out via our contact form or email/call us directly to arrange a convenient time for your appointment or to inquire about upcoming events.
What should I expect during a session?
During a session, you can expect a three-way conversation between you, the horses and me. It is not a session you observe. It is something you are inside and a part of.The horse tracks what is happening in your body with precision and move toward what is held. Our goal is to provide a nurturing space for your body to feel safe enough to let go .
*What Clients Say*
“I had such a powerful experience with Shari and her horses. It was in a calm and supportive environment where I was able to slowdown, become grounded and attuned to what was happening in my body. The horses brought awareness to my body and helped me release what was needed. I left feeling calm and connected to myself. ”
--C.G.
“From the moment I arrived,the space felt calm and welcoming. Working with the horses helped me slow down, reflect and recconect with myself in a meaningful way. I left feeling lighter,grounded and grateful for the experience.”
--C.L
“Held by Horses offers a safe haven where I can explore my emotions freely. The connection with the horses is unlike anything I’ve experienced before.”
--M.L.