I was blessed to be invited to be a speaker at a women’s retreat in Hallettsville, Texas, a couple of weeks ago.

Not even three weeks after having had a hysterectomy, I was excited to take a little trip for a special weekend.

The second day I was there, I shared my story and had the opportunity to demonstrate some horsemanship exercises with a few of the women.

When Steve and I teach horsemanship, it’s more than just “learning how to ride.”

We believe that the horse is a true gift from God who can teach us so much about ourselves and show us ways how we can become better people. Horses heal.

Yes, learning how to ride a horse is fun, but that’s the easy part. The harder part (and even more rewarding part) is getting to a place of absolute truth so that you are able to fully connect with the horse.

That is when the magic happens.

The night before I spoke at the retreat, a woman had told me she had been afraid of horses her whole life. The next day for one of the exercises, I asked her to join me in front of everyone. I had a horse with me and was holding onto the lead rope.

I told the woman that I would be right by her side…she hesitated for a moment, and then she walked towards me.

I guided her to stand right next to the horse and I gave her the lead rope.

As I had hoped, she took ahold of the rope. Right then, the horse laid his head onto her chest.

The woman started crying, overwhelmed with emotion. The tears started to flow for many of us as we watched.

What had happened was that she was allowing herself to be vulnerable, she was facing a fear, but most importantly, she was present in the moment. The horse felt comfortable with her and wanted to connect with her.

I knew the second she took the lead rope out of my hand that it was going to be a powerful experience for her. She wasn’t tense; her hand was relaxed. She trusted me, opened herself up to trust the horse and she “let go.”

What the horse did was amazing, but just as amazing was what the woman did. If she had been holding any tension in her body at all (or in her mind) the horse wouldn’t have done what he did. Not only that, he would have moved his head away from her, possibly even stepping away from her.

The woman thanked me and spent several minutes standing there in stillness with the sweet gelding. She didn’t want to let go of him.

The woman thanked me again that evening. And then, the next morning, she told me with a smile, “I am still holding onto the peace the horse gave me.” I could see the peace, and it was beautiful.

Horses inspire us every day and humans inspire us every day. Steve and I feel humbled to be able to witness the beauty and awe-inspiring healing power of the horse on a daily basis.

I had never met that woman before that weekend, and I had never met that horse before.

But both of them left an impression on me that will last forever. Harmony, Truth, Peace.

From our family to yours, we wish you all a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

Lots of Love,

Amanda, Steve, Ryder and Violet

The Stevens family. From left to right, Steve, Violet, Amanda and Ryder. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Stevens)

The Stevens horse, Snowflake posing perfectly with a fall backdrop. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Stevens)