Horse as Teacher: The Path to Relationship

Original edition. 6 x 9, 148 pages.   $19.95

Why Are Horses Such Great Teachers? Local Teacher and Counsellor Finds Out

Horse as Teacher: The Path to Relationship, Sandra Wallin
Local teacher and counsellor answers the question “Why are horses such great teachers?” in the newly released book, Horse as Teacher: The Path to Relationship.

Sandra Wallin is one of 10 horsewomen who have collaborated on this second publication in the Horse As Teacher series. This global herd of writers tell stories of a new horsemanship, one where horses are recognized as teachers and healers and honoured for their ability to transform lives.

Sandra’s chapter is about her mare Grace, a Tennessee Walking Horse who seems to know just what lesson to pull out for each person or team. Whether it is carrying a child with autism to a place of connection and peace, or breathing deeply into the heart of a grieving cancer patient, Grace identifies with each person and adjusts her responses to suit.

People who have met Grace never forget her and once you’ve read this book, you’ll appreciate why… and understand why horses are such great teachers.

In her forward to the book, Barbara Rector, Director of Adventures in Awareness in Tucson and a pioneer in the field equine guided development writes, “The appeal of these stories from persistent, patient women is in their authentic voices. Listening to and allowing the expression of the healing gifts horses offer through relationship deepens awareness and develops consciousness.  This collection of stories offers us the opportunity to step into that world and experience what horses can teach us about relationship. Be ready to see relationships in a whole new way!”

Buy your book online today and Sandra will personally sign your copy!

Released November 2009.
CAN $19.95 (plus taxes and shipping)

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I hope you enjoy the excerpt below, taken from my chapter entitled…”A Grace Remembered”

“As a school counselor, I have the opportunity to be in and out of many
classrooms and therefore I get to know and meet many children and many
teachers. One day while I was out on supervision, I heard screaming. I
looked around as Matthew burst forth from behind the school. He was
on the run and right behind him followed his ever loving support teacher.
He smiled as she wrapped her arms around him and they carried on
toward the playground. Matthew had autism and running off at random
was a concern for all of us. It was hoped that if he could develop more of
a relationship with the people and places in his life, he would run away
less, and respond to people more. We talked with his family about animal
therapy and they thought bringing him out to meet the horses would be
a wonderful idea.

When Matthew arrived, he was vocalizing loudly. Guinness went to
greet him and Matthew was mesmerized for a moment by his drool. Ever
patient and kind, Guinness allowed the poking fingers to grab at his mouth.
The bunnies, however, weren’t as understanding about their ears.
When it came time to introduce Matthew to the horses, he was
unaffected by their size and, except for the brief drool moment, the
screaming had yet to stop. I wondered silently if there would be anything
here for him and, mid-thought, Grace walked up to him and put her nose
to his head. Quiet. Like a switch had been turned. Matthew kept his head
bowed while Grace whiffled his hair. Quiet.

We lifted Matthew into the saddle. Side walkers took their positions
and we walked across the lawn. The only sound we could hear was Grace’s
footfall on the grass. As we carried on with our walkabout, I started to
hear a hum. I looked around to see where the sound was coming from
and caught the eyes of one of the support teachers. We both looked up.
The sound was coming from Matthew. He was humming. Not the kind
of humming that accompanies disassociation, but the kind of humming
that comes from a place of utter joy.

There he was, sitting atop this rolling sea – for when Grace moves out
it is like riding an ocean swell – with a smile on his face and a song in his
heart. When we stopped he put his hand on her neck. Quiet. Smiles.
His heart remembered…”