Horse-themed weekend
The day of the 6th of November 2020 is a significant one for me: I lost my horse-of-a-lifetime, my team mate since I was 17, Pippa (Mulligan’s Masterpiece). To add to the blow, she was over halfway through a healthy pregnancy and she suffered a tragic accident which resulted in a broken leg, a horse-owner’s worst nightmare. I wanted to mark one year of her passing in a special way, so created a horse-focussed weekend in Ontario…dog-friendly, of course!
In memory of Pippa (2005-2020)
F.E.E.L Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL) is a type of certified therapy with horses, based on the strong intuition of and ability to develop connection with these large and gentle animals. Cheri Davidson of Horse Discovery lets the horses lead the session and observes how they respond to the client. Her work also builds on energy healing and the Chakra system. I was “chosen” by Kola and we took him into the stall, where I brushed him and chatted to Cheri. She was able to make some observations, connecting Kola’s body language to my sense of loss.
Meeting Kola
I felt very welcome and enjoyed the time I spent at the farm, and meeting Cheri’s family (humans and horses!). Rita was free to run around with their puppy Olive, and we explored the trails around the farm too. Even if you don’t “believe” in this area of healing, it can still be a cathartic experience, and so I would encourage you to give it a try!
Slabtown Cider Co. En-route to our night’s accommodation, we stopped at Slabtown Cider Co. so I could have dinner on their outdoor patio, with Rita by my side. Our waitress gave Rita loads of cuddles and even stayed with her while I used the washroom. I had a gnocchi dish, and some warm apple juice to warm me up, alongside the patio heater! Our time here was short and sweet but it looked like somewhere worth visiting again, particularly for the live music (which was indoors).
Is the cider dog-friendly, too?
AirBnB with horses We spent the night in New Tecumseth, at an AirBnB hosted by Leila, complete with rescue horses right outside! This pet-friendly accommodation was in the basement of a large house. Despite the lack of natural light, it felt bright and airy. Both the kitchen and bathroom were well-stocked with essentials, and the bed was comfy. I spent a lot of time stroking the horses and feeding them carrots, and took Rita for a walk around their land. This was just a quick overnight stop for us, but I would have gladly stayed longer to explore and get more horse hugs!
“Are those carrots on your bandana?”
Scanlon Creek Conservation Area On Sunday morning we visited Scanlon Creek, a half hour drive from our AirBnB. This park was easy to navigate as all trails pass through the Head of Trails, next to the main car park. Each of the trails is named after a bird. First we walked the 3km Kingfisher trail, and we indeed did see a Kingfisher! There were a range of terrains: boardwalks, waterside, forest trails and grassy areas.
Next we chose the Chickadee trail as it leads to a dog park at the West of the park. Alternatively, you can park directly at the dog park entrance. The dog park gave Rita an opportunity to run off-leash and play with other dogs. There was a lot to see on this trail, which ended at a “tree garden” with information boards on the various tree species. There are also picnic areas and a children’s play park along the trail.
Horse Sound Bath For Sunday afternoon, I had booked onto a group meditation session at Hawks Landing, a horse farm offering healing sessions and retreats. However, when I arrived, Bunny the owner informed me her brother-in-law had passed away and the group session was cancelled for that day. Perhaps due to my crestfallen face, or simply her deep sense of kindness, she suggested we could still spend some time with the horses, and left Rita and myself to explore the farm while she prepared.
Before we began, I told her my story and we discovered a coincidence: her own horse Hawk, whom the farm is named after, had passed away a year before Pippa, to the day. Bunny hadn’t even remembered due to her family bereavement, and it made my being there feel like it was meant to be.
Rather than a meditation, we took part in a sound bath in the field amongst the horses. Bunny’s sister Sharon and two friends, Rosa and Anthony, joined us. Rosa performed with a set of sound bowls and Anthony played a bespoke 6 foot flute. As we sat there, becoming enveloped in the music, a few of the horses came over to investigate. They sniffed us, and some turned their back ends to us, providing grounding energy. Again, it’s up to an individual how much to read into the signs the horses were giving. I’m undecided, but I felt like it was a great way to honour Pippa’s memory. After the sound bath, we dispersed amongst the horses and had some one-on-one time with each of them. The session finished with a discussion about our experience. I felt less like a client and more like an integrated member of this group of friends. It felt good to be amongst like-minded people on such an important weekend for me.
Checking out the sound bowls
