When I moved to Tucson in 2011, I found myself in need of a new source of income. I went back to selling advertising, but my heart was just not in it anymore. So, one day my Saluki, Gabriel, and I went for a run in the wash. I sat on a log for awhile, watching the sunset and began to meditate and ask for guidance in what direction I needed to take to again find a fulfilling vocation.
I knew I must work with animals. I told Spirit I was willing to work with any animals. It didn’t HAVE to be horses. Then I asked for a sign to indicate to me where I should begin.
I opened my eyes, not even realizing that I was across the wash from a horse ranch and lo’ and behold, a grey Quarterhorse and a bay Arab came running to the fence right across from us and came to a halt, heads over the fence, looking straight at me. It was so clear to me that this was Smokey, my childhood horse, and Zukeba, my first horse as an adult. They were saying, “Like, duhhh…” I was blown away and started to laugh out loud! Thank-you! It IS horses I am still meant to work with!
So we meandered home, me feeling a little more peace knowing horses were again in my near future, although I still had no idea where this was all going.
The very next day, I went to Bookman’s and posted on the bulletin board was a request for volunteers to foal-sit with a premature foal who had been born with a stillborn twin. The survivor needed to be kept off his legs until they were fully developed.
This led me to my first adventure here with horses and like-minded individuals involved in the very activities that so fascinate and resonate with me. The foal was the famous Spirit who some of you might know from Linda Kohanav’s first book, The Tao of Equus. What a privilege and honor that experience was.
From there, I was introduced to several other notorious pioneers in the field of equine facilitated learning, therapeutic riding and hippotherapy, who have become my colleagues, friends and confidantes!
Next I was guided to a horsewoman who taught and certified me in the healing modality–with horses in particular– that has become my full-time focus today.
Every time I dare to doubt the power of meditation and connecting with Spirit for answers, I find myself living out one more fantasy as a result of that very practice asking myself, “Why do you ever doubt?”
Cate Drown, certified Sumerel Therapy technician, specializing in equines, can be contacted at drown-cate@hotmail.com
