Heartland Equine-Assisted Counseling

01/13/2026

01/10/2026

Neuroscience research shows that emotions are brief physical events. When triggered, an emotion like anger or fear activates the nervous system for about 90 seconds. During this time, stress chemicals move through the body, raising heart rate and muscle tension. After this short window, the body naturally begins to calm.

What keeps emotions alive is not the feeling itself, but the thoughts that follow. The brain replays the trigger, predicts danger, or searches for control. In children, this cognitive loop is still developing. Their brains lack mature emotional regulation, so thoughts can easily trap them in repeated distress.

A child’s meltdown is not defiance. Psychology explains it as a brain overwhelmed by stimulation without the skills to exit the loop. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for calming and reasoning, is still under construction in early development.

Adults can help by reducing verbal input and providing calm presence. Safety and connection signal the nervous system to reset. Understanding this process shifts parenting from punishment to regulation. Neuroscience shows emotions pass quickly when thoughts are guided gently, helping children learn emotional balance over time.

01/08/2026

I know the cost of loving horses.

I know it in early mornings
when rest would be easier.
In long days that don’t pause
just because I’m tired.
In plans that change
and priorities that shift
without apology.

I know the cost financially,
but that’s never been the hardest part.

The real cost is time.
Energy.
Emotional space.

It’s the mental load of always caring.
Always noticing.
Always being responsible
for a life that depends on you
whether you feel ready or not.

It’s the worry that never fully turns off.
The decisions that weigh heavy.
The knowing that loving deeply
also means risking loss.

I know the heartbreak too.

I know what it’s like
to say goodbye too soon
or hold on through seasons
that are harder than you imagined.
I know that grief is part of the agreement
you sign the moment you choose this life.

And still—
I choose horses.

I choose them because of what they give back.

Because they ground me
when the world feels loud.
Because they teach me patience
without preaching it.
Because they ask me to slow down
and show up honestly.

I choose horses
because they don’t care who I am
outside the barn.
They care how I arrive.
How I breathe.
How I listen.

They’ve taught me responsibility
without resentment.
Strength without hardness.
Confidence without ego.

They’ve shaped the way I move through the world—
steadier,
more aware,
less reactive.

I choose horses
because they’ve been there
in seasons no one else saw.
Because the barn has held me together
more times than I can count.

I choose them
because this life feels real.
Because the work matters.
Because the connection is earned,
not given.

And yes—
the cost is high.

But so is the return.

The peace.
The purpose.
The quiet understanding
that I am exactly where I belong
when I’m with them.

So I keep choosing horses—
not because it’s easy,
not because it’s convenient,
but because it has shaped me
into someone I’m proud to be.

Some things cost more than money.
They cost heart.

And some things are worth it
every single time.

Horses
have always been one of them.

Do you still choose horses, despite the cost?

12/31/2025

From over 250 individual sessions and 10 new groups/workshops, 2025 IS A WRAP for Heartland Equine-Assisted Counseling at Heartland Therapeutic Riding, inc. We are excited for BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE YEAR OF THE HORSE!! 2026 Here we come!!

12/27/2025

12/21/2025

Horses bring you back to the simplest version of yourself...

12/15/2025

"A horse doesn't care how much you know until it knows how much you care. Put your hand on your horse and your heart in your hand." Pat Parelli

12/03/2025

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, a goal the PATH Intl. community strives to accomplish every day!

12/02/2025

YES-Even when it’s SNOWING! ❄️ ⛄️

Sweden has introduced a new initiative that allows doctors to prescribe travel as part of a patient’s wellness plan making it the first country to formally integrate this approach into its healthcare system. Under the program, physicians can recommend short trips to nature-focused destinations for patients experiencing stress, burnout, or low mood, with part of the cost supported by national health insurance.
The idea is inspired by growing research suggesting that time in natural environments may help reduce stress levels and support overall emotional well-being. Many studies point to potential benefits such as lowered cortisol and improved mood, especially for those dealing with chronic stress.
While the program is still developing, it reflects a broader global interest in how lifestyle experiences including time outdoors and mindful travel can complement traditional approaches to mental health care.

12/01/2025

We hope you all are staying warm on this snowy winter day! Sessions at Heartland have been canceled due to weather but here’s a horse resource to help get you through the cold ❄️

11/24/2025

Monday’s Mindful Morning Moment.