Putting the Pieces Back Together

After a tumultuous and traumatic year on the East Coast pursuing my masters degree and professional training, I moved to San Diego. I spent the following couple years slowly putting the pieces of my personal life back together while building my professional life from the ground up. When I finally began to feel truly healed, I stumbled upon Bridle Up Hope San Diego. 

At that point, I had spent several years intentionally cultivating my own resilience as a result of what I have experienced, and the 7 Habits framework aligned naturally with the work I was already doing internally. I was also longing for opportunities to invest in playfulness, enjoyment, and deeper connection with myself, and I was especially excited to explore this through working with horses.

My chosen career involves emotionally accompanying people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I spend much of my work day immersed in others' pain, and at times I struggle to find my way back to myself by the end of the day. Through Bridle Up Hope, I have learned so much about the intuition of horses and how powerfully they reflect our internal states. Coming to the farm each week for riding lessons or volunteer work gives me regular, intentional time to check in with myself and notice what I may be carrying emotionally, knowing that the horses will sense it alongside me. It has been profoundly meaningful to be met with such acceptance by the horses, and to be supported and guided so kindly by the Bridle Up Hope staff during this season of personal restoration.

- Bridle Up Hope San Diego Women’s Student

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