Few people understand the bond between humans and horses better than Kathy Pike. After a traumatic riding accident, Kathy spent twelve years regaining the emotional strength and desire to ride again. A strong connection with horses was inevitable, and as Kathy embarked on her spiritual journey, horses helped her understand and appreciate not only her role in the world, but the deeper connections among all living things on this earth.

In Hope…From the Heart of Horses: How Horses Teach Us About Presence, Strength, and Awareness, Kathy gives us essential life lessons to discover emotional strength and core values. Kathy demonstrates what horses can do for humans, in terms of what they can show us about ourselves. Some of the important lessons are:

• Horses sense human intentions rather than what is offered in facial expressions. As wisely put by Kathy, “Their unconditional love expands hearts and widens smiles,” and it is only fair to express your true emotions to establish a relationship of trust. Through the Mind Body Method, Kathy teaches us to understand horses’ naturally balanced nature and to align our body and heart away from an analyzing mind to reach out to our solid companion.
• The different voices that we possess—the “negative inner” voice, the “critic” voice, and the “outer” voice—have a deep effect on a horse’s behavior. This was a lesson learned by Sarah, one of Kathy’s workshop clients whose negative emotions affected her posture and mind. Sarah’s realization led to a relationship with her horse, Stone, that proved to be the cornerstone of self-love and empowerment.
• Wounded and hurt humans tend to be drawn to horses that share a similar type of trauma or emotional pain. Kathy’s meeting Amigo, an abused horse, made her relive the time when she was 19 and felt disconnected. She understood that by being matched with a horse that reflected her own challenges with boundaries, respect, and trusting others, she would be taught to establish and determine limits once again.

Follow Kathy through her workshops and seminars to share horse-care knowledge and first-hand experiences with fellow horse lovers. As you read about Kathy's inspiring interactions with her clients, you will agree with Linda Kohanov in her Foreword that “this book [is] one of the finest narratives on what horses have to teach people about life, love, power, and connection as we release them from their roles as beasts of burden and allow them to reclaim their true destiny as teachers, healers, and companions worthy of the deepest affection and respect.”

Please visit www.coachingwithhorses.com for more information.