The Chance for a Lifetime was an intensive program that we created in partnership with Four Corners Equine Rescue in Aztec NM (FCER). It is very effective for horses that have been neglected, brutalized, traumatized and/or starved by humans.  Suffering from PTSD, which hinders a smooth development, he or she is the proverbial hard-core pessimist.

“This program is dedicated to helping the horses that need it the most.” says Debby Coburn, founder of FCER.

We have taken a lot of time to experiment with this program on our ranch, with our own herd. Having taken in multiple rescue horses over about 15 years, our herd has both optimists and pessimists, living side by side. And we see that it works.

The foundation for our approach is deep compassion and patience and we focus on a developing a heartfelt relationship between horse and human. Our training skills are formed in many years of training, observing and being mentored in the realms of ‘horsemanship’, liberty work and dressage by some of the best the world has to offer!

The result of this process is confident, connected, trustworthy and soft horses.

Another quote from Debby from FCER: “I have searched and searched for someone who would understand our severely abused horses and work with them the way the horses need to. Finally - Erica and Joost! Taking in broken souls and mending them, getting them ready to face life unafraid. It doesn't get any better than this.”


Horse Around New Mexico recently published a wonderful article about the program.  To read it click here.

Paddy

Queenie, aka Nizhoni

Emerald, aka Emma

A Chance of a Lifetime

is now our own independent non-profit dedicated to helping horses and humans heal.  We are so grateful to everyone who makes this effort possible, and we can not do it without you. Please consider a one-time or monthly donation.

Please click on this link to watch our slideshow!


Chance for a Lifetime,

the Story of the Prince & the Pauper


A documentary in the making; to convey to our audience, our current and potential clients/students the essence of the work we do at Heart of The Horses Sanctuary; connecting humans and horses at the very heart, through the arts of Liberty Training Horsemanship & Riding/Dressage.


This project A chance for a lifetime, the story of the prince & the pauper is based on the premise that every horse, whether it is a Prince or a Pauper, is whole and completely capable of shining through to their fullest individual potential, no matter what life has dealt them.


Chapter one: Tioga


Tioga was adopted from the Horse Shelter in Santa Fe, where he and the rest of his herd had landed after suffering extreme starvation.


When he came to us his ribs were still protruding through a dull skin; in early July in New Mexico (over 90 degrees) he was still clinging on to his winter coat like a street drunk clings to his sleeping bag; his entire being seemed dull, from his feet to his eyes and mind. One could not touch his back without him flinching, and any former attempts to get a rider on him were disastrous for everyone. For hours on end he could stand facing away from us with his front teeth dug into the pipes of his corral. He qualified for the part of the pauper for sure.


The scenario with our ‘oh so down to earth vet’ was food, a job and a fitness program. The food part of the program was met with eager enthusiasm. Reluctance, tension, and a need to say NO, to our every attempt to connect with him, was his answer to the job part and the fitness program.


Letting a horse say NO without any punitive response is what makes the exact same horse absolutely free to say YES when they are ready. And so we set out to turn this pessimist into an optimist.


Step by step we built trust and confidence in this guy, and eventually found his desire for our leadership.


Three months after he arrived here we went for walks at Liberty on our property and though the arroyo’s. Lead rope tied to the saddle horn, and just as easily we could climb on his back and take him for a trail ride.


When a horse undergoes this kind of core transformation it is also critical for the owner to have a chance to develop alongside their horse, and to become the leader they have always imagined possible. For this reason we always encourage the owner to join in the training as much as possible. In this way both horse and rider are given a real new start together. Often times we work with the horse independent of the owner, but we still ask the owner to spend some time with us learning this new language before they leave for their new life together.


And that is what we offer, that is what we want to share here at our ranch: that horses and humans always have a 2nd chance.

A chance to transform, a chance to heal, a chance to let go of the stories that no longer serve us.

copyright 2019