In the Presence of Horses®

One of the foundations of The Hacienda at the River® is the presence of horses. On-site equine programs help promote members’ physical and emotional well-being through touching, grooming, interacting with, and even, for some, riding horses.  

Developed by Barbara K. Rector of Adventures in Awareness™, a pioneer in wellness work with horses, The Hacienda’s distinct equine programming, In the Presence of Horses, uses an invitational approach, where human and horse invite one another into each other’s presence. Through this intercommunication, members learn about relationship development and communication skills, with an emphasis on trust and choice. 

Sessions vary in length and in type of interaction with the horse: Some members are in the presence of the horse with no physical touching, while others focus on the horse and human getting to know each other, followed up with touching and grooming. Working with horses contributes to building core strength, balance, and mobility.