Highlands Gate Wellness Susan Cressy MA, RP, Pro-EFW

12/10/2025

This is the association that I trained and certified with. It is a grass roots organization that is dedicated to honouring equines as sentient beings.

Would you like to enhance your own and others' growth, learning and wellness through partnering with Equines?

Train and Certify the Pro-EFW Way to:
- Embark on a journey of deep and experiential learning
- Train with pioneers in the equine assisted field with over 25 years in successful practice
- Create your own unique approach as a Human Service and/or Equine Specialist
- Join a community of professionals dedicated to honouring the horse in every connection
- Have the flexibility to certify within a year or to take your time if that works best for you
- Access insurance and start earning in the field part way through your training
- Join comprehensive hybrid online and onsite trainings with regular support from dedicated mentors throughout your journey
- Certify and belong within an internationally recognised and independent professional body and community, in accordance with best standards

Register now to join our 2026 cohorts!

12/10/2025

This is where I trained and became certified in Equine Facilitated Wellness, a grassroots, dedicated association that honours equines as sentient beings.

Would you like to enhance your own and others' growth, learning and wellness through partnering with Equines?

Train and Certify the Pro-EFW Way to:
- Embark on a journey of deep and experiential learning
- Train with pioneers in the equine assisted field with over 25 years in successful practice
- Create your own unique approach as a Human Service and/or Equine Specialist
- Join a community of professionals dedicated to honouring the horse in every connection
- Have the flexibility to certify within a year or to take your time if that works best for you
- Access insurance and start earning in the field part way through your training
- Join comprehensive hybrid online and onsite trainings with regular support from dedicated mentors throughout your journey
- Certify and belong within an internationally recognised and independent professional body and community, in accordance with best standards

Register now to join our 2026 cohorts!

12/02/2025

and remind myself to...
Meditation on the Golden Core of the Self Channeling of the Guide by Eva Pierrakos
I trust the deep, deep part in me, in which the ongoing life process can lead me to open my heart, more and more often, and stay open and loving, and in truth, without ramping up the mind and doing something with the mind. It is the mind that busies itself, so often, that prohibits the golden core from shining through.
I will allow it. I will let it. I will trust it. I will listen to it. And I can do it because it is my nature, and because my ego self is totally committed to being truthful with myself, to face whatever it is, that needs to be faced, that needs to be taken out from hiding. And to change whatever it is that is contrary to the cosmic, eternal law of being. I wish and commit myself to making this ego-self compatible with divine reality. For in that measure will I be able to sustain bliss and live.

05/17/2025

You are invited on Sunday, June 8, 2025: Keeping Herbs in Mind with Gemma Calgie from The Eponacary. $175 Register at http://www.highlandsgatewellness.com

08/13/2024

My beauties 😍

04/14/2024

"and I whispered to the horse, trust no one in whose eyes you don't see yourself reflected as an equal"
Don Vincenzo Giobbe ca, 1700a.d.

03/28/2024

So well said by Sue MacIntosh who is a colleague and Trainer with the Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness

For anyone who thought there was something missing from that last article I agree! I've added another piece that better reflects the value of being open to the contributions of our equines and how this is such an important part of the partnership and 'dance' involved in the EFW process!
You can find the full (updated!) article here: https://healinghooves.ca/please-tell-me-what-to-do/ and/ or just read the new piece below.

As always I love receiving feedback and comments on these articles including areas where they could improve!

Fully acknowledging the risk of mixing too many metaphor I’m going to add one more. When not entered into within the context of healthy relationship you will have an idea, and not a dance. You could read all about how to dance the tango, memorise the steps and practice them in front of a mirror; but the beauty of the dance only arises when you dance with a partner. And for this to be beautiful rather than a mess of stepping on toes and pulling each other in different directions, your dance has to incorporate mutual feel, connection, respect and understanding of the partners. In my experience, one partner following a set of instructions provided by someone outside of the relationship doesn’t allow enough space for us to feel – and sometimes accept or even invite the lead from – the other partner/s or even ourselves. Learning to dance involves lots of practice, making mistakes, learning from them and finding your own way through. In the case of EFW there are several partners involved as you have the equines as well as the clients, and each partnership is going to differ. I explored this through an example many years ago in the article ‘Dancing with Skye’ which I encourage you to read. A key part of EFW for me is understanding my equine partners as intelligent sentient beings who bring so much to this work without ever being told ‘what to do’. Ideas are important, as is the process of continual learning and gaining knowledge. But for this to all become wisdom takes time and, I believe, can only happen within the context of relationship – with yourself, your clients and your equines.

This will all take longer, and very likely create more short term frustration, than providing everyone with a ‘how to’ manual.

But I think the long terms results are worth it.

© Copyright Sue McIntosh, Cremona, 2024

02/19/2024

Snow shoeing with these two girls at sunset.

02/18/2024

What a great Snow Angel Party! Some of the angels were a little mashed by enthusiastic dogs but they were a part of the celebration. Thank you all for making the day special. Indy (in pink) made 31!!

01/25/2024

Save the date! Sunday, February 18th for the Eleventh Snow Angel Making Party at Highlands Gate, 4381 Wolf Grove Road, Lanark, ON between 1:00 and 4:00. Everyone is welcome! Over these past eleven years we have done extensive, non-scientific research on the benefits of making snow angels and I have come to these conclusions:
 If you can get down and, even better, get up after making one, you can be grateful for your good health.
 Making snow angels is a magnificent investment of time that results in endless benefits.
 If you make your angel on the side of a hill, it is easier to get up and you won’t feel as old as you are.
 If you are able to drop down and create an angel when you are out walking with friends, you show vulnerability, courage and a zest for life.
 If your courage has encouraged others to make a snow angel, you are spreading joy and pleasure.
 Making snow angels with others increases the benefits exponentially.
 If you a try different range of motion when creating your impression, you show creativity and curiosity which is good for the soul.
 What I find most delightful, after flailing about, is actually lying very still in the snow and gazing up at whatever the sky has to offer that day and feeling the cold seep into my back and how the earth supports me so fully. I feel connected, grounded, grateful and still.
There will be a campfire, treat table, extra snow shoes to get you around the 85 acres, sliding and a play structure that is made for all ages. I hope to see you here!

03/31/2023

Lockie Phillips, founder of Emotional Horsemanship, is coming to Ottawa, Canada for the first time in two weeks! His first stop on his clinic tour will be April 15-16th, for a two-day Emotional Horsemanship clinic (private lessons available on the 17th). Participant and auditor tickets are STILL available for purchase at the link below. If you sign-up before April 1st, you can use discount code EARLYBIRD5 for 5% off at checkout. This clinic is being hosted by Elsie Reford, and should you need any help making arrangements to come or have any questions, please reach out to her via email: refordelsie@gmail.com
This is going to be an intimate, memorable weekend full of learning and connection between horses and humans. Hope to see you there! Info below:

03/28/2023

The federal government's agreement with an outside contractor makes it harder to provide effective trauma-focused treatment in a timely way.