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

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!