Home sweet home

This marks the end of my Home on the Range blog. I have returned to the island, my home and all of my lovely animals! Thank you all for following along...it has been quite the journey...

Heading Home

Well, my trip at the ranch is coming to a close. It has been an amazing journey, bringing me closer to my mare Diva and stronger in myself and making many friends along the way. As hoped, I have developed my skills as both a healer and a teacher and have developed a further sense of love and respect for the animals and the earth and what they have to share with us. I am ready to be back on the island and together with my friends, family and clients, and am so excited about the time to come. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Riding through fields of lupins!

Do you ever have one of those moments that feels completely surreal? Like there is no way that it could actually be happening? And yet somehow you are in it, and it is absolutely magical...
Today's ride felt a bit like that...we rode out behind the ranch into rolling hills that have been calling me since I arrived. Said hills, on closer examination were blanketed in fragrant blue lupin, setting everything, including the horses, in a purplish haze. The phrase "Where is my camera?" came to mind! What a thrill to gallop through these beautiful vast spaces filled with wildflowers on Diva. The sun was shining, the wind blowing and it was if my senses couldn't quite take it all in. I guess this is what it feels like to be blissed out!
Needless to say, tomorrow awaits as do those hills and so many adventures.

Opening the communication lines

Well, today marks the end of a great animal communication course with Marta Williams! The untapped potential of the human mind continues to baffle me...
It is as if we often completely neglect certain key functions, which, studies say, were in use up until about 8,000 years ago. These include our 6th sense (knowing), as well as the subtle senses, which allow us to intuitively gather accurate information from each other as well as plants, trees, animals and other beings. It seems now like not having this information at my fingertips would be akin to missing a limb, they are that crucial to my understanding of my inner and outer worlds.
And yes, we all have these subtle senses, even though they might be covered with generations of conditioning. It's all a matter of letting them rise to the surface. Often, the first step is moving out of our own way. Our beliefs, mostly negative, might hinder our progress. As Marta explains, you've just got to move right through, and if you don't feel like you're getting anything from an animal or a person, start by making it up...just guess what might be happening. It may not be accurate, but its a great way to move yourself of the bench and onto the playing field.
I would strongly encourage every animal owner to look closer at their animal with the help of your subtle senses. Also, know that everything you think or say they understand! Talk with them about what you are doing, where you are going or what you would like them to do.
And as always have fun!

End of an Era

Well, the workshop is officially finished! The satisifed, albeit slightly soggy, participants are on their way home. From as far as New Zealand, these woman came to experience the powerful way of the horse and this land. I am looking forward to a day of quiet although I'll miss everyone. Rain is still soaking the land (so important in a year of little snow) so it's a fire and a good book for me. Perhaps some work with the Parama BodyTalk System as well.
Until next time...

Rain on the roof of my tent.

It really is the most peaceful sound, especially when your tent is a completely waterproof wall tent with a woodstove, power and internet access! It's been a very relaxing couple of days, not that things ever really get stressful around here. The horses decided not to come in today, probably sensing the rain would curb our enthusiasm on hanging out with them. So they came to visit us at the Gatehouse instead, checking in on what we were up to, and also last night at the Spirit Lodge (quite interesting to hear horse beats on the roof of the building you are in!). The herd here is very unique, as the majority of its members are from four original foundation mares, so some of the horses are 4th generation. There are 17 members altogether (18 with Diva), including 2 ponies and the trusty steer, Tesoro. They are quite a sight to behold and they roam near and far on their 320 acres of freedom!
May tomorrow bring clear skies...

Feeling fine!

Well, the workshops have officially begun here on the ranch and the sun has come out over the ranch. There is a truly wonderful bunch of women here participating, all so interesting to connect with. I am halfway through my first adventure here at the Gateway 2 Ranch, heading back to the island on June 11th for some exciting workshops and some full days of sessions on the road and at the Cowichan Bay Studio. I'm looking even more forward to the collaboration workshop with Stefanie Travers now that I have had the opportunity to learn from the herd here. It's just fascinating to watch these horses interact and communicate with one another.
Diva is busy teaching her chosen few how to ride bareback with a halter. It's wonderful to watch her take people under her wing and show them the ropes, literally.
Anyways, off to dinner! Take care until next time...

Oh so much learning...

This phenomenon that occurs when life slows down is so interesting. There is the opportunity to bask in moments we might have rushed through in the past, or take the time to really "feel" into what is the truth of each choice, each movement. Perhaps the truth is that I have been unclear in my communication with a horse, or that they are needing something altogether different from me. In these moments, the opportunity to "take the time" to be mindful and present is truly priceless.
Being here at the Gateway 2 Ranch, I have had many opportunities to truly "listen" to what is happening with the horses, dogs and the land. These horses are quite different from the ones I so often meet in my line of work. They have been loved unconditionally from conception onwards and have never been "made" to do anything, only allowed to choose to interact with people because it is fun and comes with many benefits. It's powerful what that kind of freedom and empowerment can do, and even more interesting when you try to apply traditional techniques. These horses have no fear of humans, no reason to believe that any human would have anything but their best interest in mind. They insist on being treated as equals, being communicated with as such and being rewarded well for their efforts. To watch Liz with her horses, you can almost see the love pouring out of her and into these beautiful animals and them giving it right back. It feels wonderful to let go of all agendas and expectations and just fun with these brilliant teachers and friends.
Meanwhile I continue to fall in love with this land and the message that is coming from it and it's inhabitants. It is truly a message of peace, harmony and living your bliss, a message that is well worth spreading!

A day of riding...

What beautiful weather! The skies were blue all day up here at the Gateway 2 Ranch, perfect weather for riding. After doing some BodyTalk with the horses, I tacked Diva up for a ride up into the hills on our own. She is settling in beautiful and is really coming along under saddle. We had a nice gallop and then headed back to the playground to do the set of jumps and then race back to the herd. Later in the day, in preparation for the One with the Herd video that is being shot here next week, Diva and I practiced our bridleless riding, getting our walk to trot to canter to whoa transitions just right. She is truly an amazing horse!
As promised pictures are to come!!

Land, land, land...

We have spent every afternoon for the past three days exploring the land and I still feel as though we have only scratched the surface. I can definitely feel the magic here, this land is so honoured and loved and it is reflected in the energy and healing it gives back to its inhabitants. Oh, if all land felt so respected!
Diva is fully integrated and has found her own little herd...she and Liz's mare Epona are best buds as well as Tesoro the cow (the most loved cow I have ever met).
Excited about the prospect of doing BodyTalk on people surrounded by horses! There are even massage tables in the paddock...

We're here!

It's official...we have arrived at the Gateway 2 Ranch! If it is possible, it's even more amazing than I imagined. Our digs are amazing, a beautiful gatehouse with all the amenities overlooking Stump Lake. Diva arrived yesterday morning and made record time in being introduced to the 16 horse herd. We played with the horses this morning at liberty and online and brought Diva out to get introduced to a few horses at the time. By 3pm this afternoon it was time to let everyone out. It was quite an impressive show and we were all kicking ourselves for not videotaping it! It seems that Diva's favourite herd mate (although she would never admit it!) is the lone cow Tesoro, who is one of the most fine fellows I have ever met.
No cell coverage here so if you need to get in touch email alexa.balanceworks@gmail.com or call (250) 746-0314 if you have an emergency.
Talk soon!
Alexa

Just a week until departure...

Well, it's officially one week this morning until my departure for 5 weeks to the Gateway 2 Ranch with my horse Diva and whippet B in tow. All is coming together beautifully for the trip and I am getting that familiar excited feeling! What could be better than a full month of learning, sunshine, horses, beautiful country, amazing people and daily healing work? I'll be back of course for my June 12 trip up-island, my workshops on June 13 and the very exciting workshop collaboration with my dear friend and colleague Stephanie Travers to find that elusive feel with your horse. Then off I go again until July 17. This is going to be one interesting summer!

Regaining my seat...

Riding bareback is not for the faint of heart and was something I only did on a rare occasions up until a few years ago. I suppose it helped that my mare Diva has a back like a couch (it must be her Percheron roots), but I started working on my bareback seat with her and never looked back, even purchasing a treeless saddles for longer more intensive riding. There are many differing opinions when it comes to the pros and cons of going saddle-less. I can understand the concern that, especially for someone with a bit of a bony tush like myself, I might be created some fairly annoying pressure points with my sit bones on Diva's back. Fortunately a good quality bare back pad is generally an easy fix on this front, giving a little cushion to the seat bone blows and helping you to maintain a fair bit more balance in the process.

You might ask why I bring this up...
Well, heading up to the Gateway 2 Ranch is a bit different than heading to any particular ranch. Starting the horses up for the season means riding with a bareback pad over obstacles with a halter and lead rope. Definitely my kind of riding!

So it's bareback riding on Diva to regain my seat, balance and courage for the fun times ahead. I must be getting in better shape because last time I was only sore for 2 days!

The Date is Set!

Well, it looks like once again things are falling naturally into place! As some of you know, I am preparing the saddle bags for a trip with my mare Diva and whippet B to the Gateway 2 Ranch just outside of Kamloops, BC. Although I've never been, it looks like the stuff that fairy tales are made of, especially for a spiritually focused horse girl like me. Liz Mitten Ryan is the matriarch of this fine piece of very loved and well cared for land, just one of her hats in this life! Others include mother, author (One with the Herd), artist and horse woman. Anyways, it looks like the trailer is leaving from Vancouver Island with Diva in it on May 7...and so it begins...