Coming Home to Yourself
A Self-Compassion Series with Horses
July 16 – August 27, 2026
Thursday Evenings | 6:00–7:30 PM
Heart & Mind Equine
Proceeds to benefit the Heart & Mind Equine Rescue Herd
A Journey Back to the Relationship That Matters Most
What if self-compassion wasn’t something you had to force? What if it was something you could remember?
Many of us spend our lives caring for others while abandoning ourselves. We push through exhaustion, ignore our needs, second-guess our instincts, and speak to ourselves in ways we would never speak to someone we love.
A gentle invitation to come home to yourself. This equine assisted self-compassion series features six group sessions over seven weeks.
Together, we will explore self-compassion through the wisdom of horses, reflective practices, mindfulness, creative expression, and supportive community. Participants will interact with the horses to build trust, establish boundaries, and practice present-moment awareness while developing greater compassion for themselves.
We invite you to reach out to see if this program would serve you.
Why Horses
Horses don’t need to learn self-compassion.
They live in harmony with themselves, their herd, and their environment. They do not criticize themselves for yesterday’s mistakes or worry about tomorrow’s uncertainties. They are fully present.
As highly attuned prey animals, horses respond honestly and immediately to the energy around them. Their natural sensitivity invites us to slow down, become grounded, and reconnect with our own innate wisdom.
Through observing and interacting with the herd, participants discover powerful lessons in:
Herd Principles for Self-Compassion
Skillful Leadership
Learning to lead through confidence, clarity, and authenticity rather than force.
Mindful Living
Returning to the present moment through awareness, breath, and connection.
Healthy Relationships
Understanding boundaries, trust, communication, and mutual respect.
It is often surprising to discover how beautifully horses navigate leadership and relationships. Their way of being reminds us of capacities that already exist within us—qualities we may have forgotten but can reclaim.
As we journey together with one another and the herd, self-compassion often returns naturally, with greater ease, gentleness, and love.
What to Expect
Each session includes:
- A facilitated talking circle
- Guided reflection on self-compassion themes
- Experiential activities with the horses
- Journaling, drawing, and creative expression
- Time for personal insight and group sharing
- Practices to support healing between sessions
Activities may include:
- Connecting with horses
- Leading exercises
- Observing herd behavior
- Grounding and mindfulness practices
- Silent reflection in nature
- Non-verbal communication exercises
What We’ll Explore
Throughout the series, we will work with themes such as:
- Self-criticism and self-kindness
- Trust and emotional safety
- Boundaries and healthy relationships
- Presence and mindfulness
- Emotional awareness and regulation
- Compassionate leadership
- Returning to your authentic self
Coming Home to Yourself
A Self-Compassion Series with Horses
- Six Sessions: July 16–August 27
No Session: July 30
Thursdays, 6:00–7:30 PM - Sustainable Economy/Sliding Scale: $375-$575
Program Details
Schedule
- Open House: July 9 Register Here
- Session 1: July 16
- Session 2: July 23
- No Session: July 30
- Session 3: August 6
- Session 4: August 13
- Session 5: August 20
- Session 6: August 27
Location
Coming Home to Yourself will be held at the Private Vacation Pasture of Heart & Mind Equine, located on the border of Marin and Sonoma Counties, along the 101 freeway corridor, close to the EarthRise Center at 101 San Antonio Road. Directions sent after registration.
Your Registration Includes
✓ Six guided equine-assisted self-compassion experiences
✓ Facilitated group discussions and reflection
✓ Hands-on interactions with the horses
✓ Workbook and between-session practices
✓ Sound healing and breathwork exercises
✓ Journaling and creative expression activities
✓ A supportive community of fellow participants
✓ Ongoing opportunities to deepen self-awareness, self-trust, and self-care
Tools You’ll Take Home
Participants will receive practical resources to support ongoing growth between sessions, including:
- Self-compassion practices
- Breathwork exercises
- Guided mindfulness tools
- Sound healing meditations
- Reflection prompts
- A workbook for home practice
You Are Welcome Here
Whether you are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, exhausted, or simply longing for a kinder relationship with yourself, this series offers a space to slow down, breathe deeply, and remember who you are beneath the pressure and expectations.
The horses already know.
Perhaps it’s time for you to know, too.
Meet Your Facilitators
At Heart & Mind Equine, we bring together decades of experience in emotional intelligence, leadership, and personal growth-guided by the wisdom of horses.
Alane Freund, LMFT
Founder of Marin’s first and premier equine assisted service center, Alane is a licensed marriage and family therapist and lifelong horsewoman with over three decades of expertise in mental health, coaching, and group dynamics. She has spoken on emotional intelligence with Talks at Google and is known for her deep intuition and ability to create transformative experiences. Alane helps individuals, teams, and couples break through barriers and build stronger, more authentic connections.
Lacey Morris, LMFT
An LMFT and Expressive Arts Therapist in Marin, CA, Lacey brings over a decade of experience facilitating groups that weave together creativity, sound healing, and trauma-informed care. Passionate about integrating her wisdom and creativity with equine-assisted work, she incorporates her training in the ARCH Equine Model to help others explore their personal narratives through experiences with horses. Lacey creates meaningful opportunities for participants to find deeper healing, connection, and self-discovery.
