Words Cassidy Nunn
Photos Nunn Other Photography
Derrinberg Farm is nestled near the end of a quiet dead-end street in Saanichton. What once was a chicken farm many years ago is now a 10-acre farm home to a very special herd of horses. From a miniature horse to several full-size horses of varying breeds and personalities, these horses offer support and connection, most recently through a new offering on the farm: a three-day Horse and Land Immersion.
Brooklyn Greig, an experienced equine professional who grew up on the farm and is now back living and raising her family on the same land that supported her through her youth, has teamed up with Lisa Hartwick, MA (Psych) RCC, a psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience. Together with their combined expertise in horses as well as psychotherapy, they’ve created an immersive experience for those who seek to heal, connect more intentionally to themselves and nature, and receive the guidance and energy from a herd of horses, a unique experience that can be transformative in many ways. Somatic practices, grounding exercises, guided time with the herd of horses and journaling are just a few of the elements that are included over the course of the three days.
Lisa reflects that she has spent her career “deeply invested in the study and practice of psychotherapy, human attachment and development.” She is certified in Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy (GEP) and teaches GEP in Colorado. Horses have been a powerful and inspiring force for Lisa over her life and she incorporates GEP into her private practice.
The three-day Land and Horse Immersion consists of a group of eight to 10 participants with varying levels of horse experience; no horse experience is needed in order to participate.
Brooklyn and Lisa focus on preparing the group for safety around the horses as well as guiding participants to become more aware of their own nervous systems. They are taught about their body language and how that affects the horses, as well as how to read and understand the horses’ body language.
Participants first meet the horses over the fence and learn about co-regulation and how that works with the horses. The majority of the work with the horses is done from the ground while the horses are at liberty – without halters or tack, loose in the large sand riding arena – which can be intimidating at first but allows a level of vulnerability that is held by the group as a community, as well as the horses as a herd. It also allows for the unspoken magic of the horses to shine through: “it’s so common for the horses to come and offer their support – they’re all at liberty and they could be anywhere in that arena,” says Lisa, but instead, they’ll often come over to engage and support, stand directly beside a participant or offer their quiet presence, especially and interestingly when a participant is in a particularly vulnerable moment. “Horses create an invitation to connect, to relate,” says Brooklyn, adding that they listen and have the capacity to be with other beings in a non-judgemental way, without any fixing, just being in the present moment, which offers up a safe space for healing.
Inviting people into a group situation we “become this human/horse herd,” says Lisa, which she adds offers a container for growth, learning and healing.
The group spends the three days outside in the elements, “immersing ourselves in nature and the elements of each season,” says Brooklyn. The land offers support as well as challenge to develop, grow and evolve, to quiet the mind naturally and to use all our senses.
Supporting people through emotional experiences requires awareness, sensitivity and care, and Brooklyn and Lisa are deeply conscious of how this work affects the horses. They strive to be “attuned and ethical with the horses as we support people who are working through challenges to become more wholly themselves,” says Lisa.
“I feel so filled up by this place and want to share what I’ve been able to receive from this land,” says Brooklyn. “There is something profoundly healing about reconnecting with ourselves in nature.”
The next three-day Land and Horse Immersion is being offered September 25 to 27 for those 18+ years old.
To apply for a spot or for more information visit: www.brghorsemanship.com/therapy-with-horses/; www.lisahartwick.ca/horse-and-land-immersion/.
