Wisdom From The Herd

Keep Your Dream

Have you ever felt the excitement of a dream that captures your heart and imagination? Have you felt the pull of passion... purpose... possibility?

My brother-in-law, Hoss, recently shared a story that inspired me. Hoss is a retired U.S. Air Force jet pilot and instructor. After serving for 20 years, he wanted another career that would keep him in the skies. That's when he told me the story of Fred Smith, founder of FedEx - the company Hoss would eventually fly for, crossing the Pacific Rim.

While attending Yale University, Fred Smith was assigned a paper requiring students to develop an innovative business idea. His proposal? "Let's deliver packages worldwide as quickly as overnight." His professor gave the paper a C.

Years later, that "C" paper became FedEx - a company that transformed global commerce and proved that what seems impossible today can become commonplace tomorrow.

Another favorite story is about renowned horseman Monty Roberts. In high school, he was assigned a paper titled, "What's Your Dream?" Monty wrote about owning a horse training facility and raising Thoroughbreds. His teacher gave him an F, insisting such a dream was unrealistic for a boy whose family lived in a trailer.

The teacher even offered him the chance to rewrite the assignment with a "more reasonable" goal.

Monty's response has become legendary:

"You can keep your 'F.' I'm keeping my dream."

Today, Monty Roberts is known around the world for his gentle horse training methods and has inspired countless horse lovers and trainers through his work.

Then there are the Wright Brothers.

Bicycle mechanics by trade, they devoted years of persistence, countless failures, and many sleepless nights to one extraordinary vision: human flight. They endured ridicule and heard the familiar refrain:

"If man were meant to fly, he'd have wings."

Yet on December 17, 1903, they proved otherwise with a 120-foot flight at Kitty Hawk.

Just 58 years later, humans had gone from that first fragile flight to launching astronauts into space - and safely bringing them home.

What do these stories have in common?

Someone dared to dream beyond what others believed was possible.

So if someone - a friend, a group, society, or even that small voice in your own head - says, "It's impossible... play small... be realistic," remember the words of Nelson Mandela:

"It always seems impossible until it's done."

Your dream would not have been placed in your heart if it weren't possible for you.

Keep your dream.

Protect it.

Nurture it.

Believe in it.

And above all...

Dream On!

Offerings

^{Couple's Immersion Workshop}

^{Private Couple's Intensive Getaway}

^{One Gestaltist. One Couple. One Horse.}

^{Clarity. Connection. Or a Compassionate Next Chapter.}

^{Is your relationship feeling distant...stuck in the same conversations, different day?}
^{Are you craving clarity - but unsure if that means growing closer or moving forward separately?}
^{This is not traditional couples counseling.}
^{This is a private, immersive retreat for one couple designed to create real movement—quickly, honestly, and with deep support.}

^{What Makes This Different}

^{Alongside guided facilitation, you'll work with horses as intuitive, non-judgmental mirrors.}

^{Horses respond to what's actually happening beneath the surface--not what's being said. They reflect patterns in communication, trust, boundaries, and emotional presence in real time.}

^{That means:}

^{No hiding behind words}
^{No spinning in circles}
^{No guessing what's really going on}

^{Just clear, grounded insight you can feel immediately.}

^{The Experience}

^{Step away from your daily environment and into a focused, distraction-free space.}

^{3-Day Private Intensive:}

^{Friday (4 hrs): Set the foundation+ uncover core dynamics}
^{Saturday (2 sessions): Deep relational work+ guided horse experiences}
^{Sunday (3-4 hrs): Integration+ clear next steps}

^{Optional retreat-style lodging available to support the full getaway experience.}

^{This Is For You If ...}

^{You feel stuck and want real movement--not more talk}
^{You're open to honest reflection (even when it's uncomfortable)}
^{You're ready for clarity-whatever that looks like}
^{You value a deep, private, high-impact experience}

^{What You Leave With}

^{Clear understanding of your relationship patterns}
^{Grounded tools for communication and connection}
^{A shared direction--togetber or apart, with respect}
^{Relief from the uncertainty and emotional weight}

^{If you've been thinking, "we need something different"...this is that different.}

^{Next Step}

^{Spots are intentionally limited to ensure depth and privacy. Apply or schedule a confidential conversation to see if this is the right fit.}

Dream Theater

Do you have a recurring dream that troubles you? Do you want to understand its meaning—or finally sleep peacefully without its interruption?

Dream Theater is a 3‑hour experiential journey where a group of participants, guided by a trained Gestaltist, brings your dream to life in a vivid, four‑dimensional re‑creation. Through creative expression, role‑play, and embodied exploration, your dream reveals its message and deeper meaning.

• Requires a minimum of 6 participants

• Bring your own group, host one, or join an organically formed group

• Locations vary

Build Up Your Group: Partnering With Horses

A fun, energizing group experience that blends teamwork, personal insight, and the power of a 1200‑lb teacher. This playful, interactive session invites you and your group to engage with horses in ways that spark connection, communication, and clarity.

Wear clothes you can play in!

“You will never forget the lessons you learn from a 1200‑lb horse.” — Melisa Pearce

Gestalt Intensive: “What the Heck Is Gestalt?”

If you’ve “been there, done that” with traditional talk therapy and want something different, this immersive Gestalt Intensive offers a fresh path.

Intensives may be 1 or 2 days. (No overnight accommodations are provided)

Whether you’re navigating trauma, grief, transition, relationship challenges, or life goals, Gestalt offers a dynamic, embodied way of discovering what’s ready to emerge.

In a safe, private group setting you will:

• Gain clarity, insight, and peace

• Release the emotional charge of past experiences

• Increase awareness and reconnect with your body’s wisdom

Winter sessions are held indoors—in person or via Zoom.

Spring, Summer, Fall - weather permitting will be in the barn.

Groups are limited to 6–10 participants.

Equusology

Winter is cold, too cold for showing and trail rides. This is the perfect time to deepen your relationship with your horse, and get ready for next season.

Equusology answers the questions horse people often ask:

• What does my horse think of me?

• How does my horse process the world?

• How do I influence my horse, and how can we understand each other better?

• How can I strengthen our bond?

If you want to invest in something meaningful this winter—and prepare for spring, summer, or fall riding—Equusology is the place to start.

Created by Melisa Pearce of Touched by a Horse and Carolyn Fitzpatrick, both accomplished Gestaltists and horsewomen.

• 4‑week class on Zoom

Private / Group Sessions

Sessions are held with horses at the barn weather permitting.

Indoor or Zoom sessions available during frigid winter temperatures.

Call Dawn - 970-481-5263 - for more info, pricing and duration of offerings.

Click HERE to Indicate your Interest

Hope Through Horses - Become a Champion of Hope!

Givebutter campaign

Why donate here?

By donating HERE, you are giving the gift of Mental Health access/affordability to "local people" - Colorado residents!

By donating HERE, you can see your impact on the thermometer and see how we're doing on our most recent fundraising campaign!

©Melisa Pearce

@Touched by a Horse®

BOLDNESS

written by Dawn Mathis

Be Bold!

What does it mean to be bold?

It means stepping beyond the familiar. It means leaving our comfort zone and venturing into the "great beyond" - toward the Vision that is calling us.

Boldness isn't about having all the answers. It's about taking the next step, even when we can't see the entire path.

As we pursue our dreams, boldness becomes a way of being.

And here's the beautiful part...

We can be bold while leading with kindness.

We can be courageous while extending love and grace.

We don't have to force, push, or strive our way forward. Many of us were taught that success required relentless "push energy," but we've learned there is another way.

Goodness, purpose, and bold dreams don't demand force.

They ask for faith.

They ask for courage.

They ask us to trust.

Brené Brown offers a beautiful reminder of the qualities we already possess: