Chapter 1: A Journey into Equine Assisted Coaching

I find myself baffled at how I became involved in a two-year certification program centered on equine-assisted coaching, especially given my complete lack of experience with horses. My passion lay in horsepower, whether it be motorcycles or a Porsche 911, but my wife, Lisa, was the equestrian enthusiast. It was she who enrolled in the program, and she invited me to experience a three-day sampler. One of our horses, Mesa, could no longer be ridden but still needed purpose, so the program served to honor her.

The three-day introduction to the world of horses was nothing short of transformative. On the second day, I experienced a profound shift.

As I stood in an enclosed round pen, a large and seemingly wild horse approached me. I welcomed this encounter. Cory, the horse, rested her massive head on my shoulder, then gently moved it to the other side, standing close enough that her nose almost touched mine. The deep intimacy of that moment shattered my self-perception and revealed something new. Overwhelmed, I broke down in tears. Cory remained by my side for the rest of the session.

In the early months of the program, I battled self-doubt, struggled with my performance, and yearned for approval. These were familiar narratives from my past. A second moment of revelation struck one afternoon after a particularly challenging day. While I was drowning in self-pity, I was unexpectedly met with a force I had never felt before—the collective presence of horses, a timeless essence that conveyed these words to me:

"Your inexperience with horses is your greatest gift. You have nothing to unlearn, no negative habits to break, and no old patterns to correct. Your lack of past experience allows you to be more open to us than many."

In that instant, I felt a newfound freedom. The weight of my self-doubt faded, allowing my self-confidence to blossom. My life transformed in that moment, as I embraced curiosity and experimentation rather than judgment, and replaced chaotic thoughts with patience and inner tranquility.

Last night, while at the barn, Mesa reminded me of that pivotal moment from years ago. She delights in having her neck and shoulders scratched vigorously—more forcefully than I would dare on myself. After scratching one side, I stepped back, but she approached and laid her head on my shoulder. Horse heads are surprisingly heavy! I wrapped my arms around her and scratched both sides of her neck at once. When I finally stopped, neither of us moved. We remained in that embrace, allowing my tears to flow as I expressed my gratitude for her trust and for preparing me for the journey unfolding now.

Many individuals we encounter at the Veterans Equine Alliance, as well as civilians at ESPÍRITU, are navigating significant transitions. Unconsciously, many believe their past experiences dictate their current possibilities. They often feel confined by who they have been, whether the prospects ahead excite them or not. What tends to be overlooked is the realization that we are seen in a nurturing and liberating light.

The horses impart a new perspective on life that I can personally attest to: "The future shapes your present. Your eternal future understands who you must become at a certain point, using today’s experiences to manifest that."

Ultimately, these insights may seem inconsequential. However, if my story offers even a glimmer of hope and newfound freedom to those facing challenging transitions, then I will continue to share it. After all, even those who have experienced metaphorical death can offer such wisdom.

Chapter 2: The Power of Equine Presence

This first video, "Ep 121: A Dead Man's Horse- The Case of Issac Desha," delves into the profound connection between humans and horses, exploring themes of transformation and healing through equine-assisted therapy.

The second video, "Ep. 121: A Dead Man's Horse: The Case of Issac Desha," continues this exploration, illustrating how the presence of horses can catalyze personal growth and understanding during life's transitions.