Horses & Healers
Equine Experiential Methods for Strengthening Clinical Presence
Hosted by Heart & Mind Equine
Proceeds to benefit the Heart & Mind Equine Rescue Herd
A Daylong Professional Development Workshop for
Medical, Mental Health, and Holistic Providers
Healthcare providers are trained to care for others, but rarely given the space to restore their own
nervous systems, reflect on their practice, and connect with colleagues who truly understand the work.
This experiential workshop invites you beyond the clinic and into a powerful learning environment with horses.
Through guided equine-assisted exercises, reflective discussion, and peer connection, participants will explore new ways to strengthen clinical presence, prevent burnout, and cultivate sustainable professional practice.
No horse experience is required.
Why This Workshop Matters
Healthcare providers today face unprecedented demands:
- Chronic stress and burnout
- Compassion fatigue
- Increasing administrative pressure
- Professional isolation
- The challenge of maintaining presence with clients while managing full caseloads
Many clinicians are asking an important question:
How do I expand my work and impact without losing myself in the process?
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to step outside the clinical environment and reconnect with the core qualities that support effective care: presence, regulation, boundaries, and authentic connection.
Why Horses
Horses are highly sensitive herd animals that naturally respond to human nervous systems, body language, and emotional congruence. The horses are our colleagues at Heart & Mind Equine.
Because of this sensitivity, they offer immediate, non-judgmental feedback about:
- nervous system regulation
- clarity of intention
- boundaries and leadership
- emotional presence
Working with horses allows providers to experience these dynamics directly, rather than simply talking about
them intellectually.
Participants consistently report that equine-assisted experiential learning provides insights that are memorable,
embodied, and immediately applicable to clinical work.
What You Will Explore
During this immersive day, participants will engage in equine-assisted exercises and group discussions designed to support:
Clinical Presence
Strengthening your ability to stay regulated, attentive, and attuned with clients even during challenging moments.
Boundaries and Professional Capacity
Learning how to expand your work while
maintaining ethical boundaries and personal wellbeing.
Nervous System Regulation
Understanding how your own nervous system influences clinical interactions and learning practical strategies for maintaining balance and resilience.
Leadership and Practice Sustainability
Exploring how embodied leadership and clarity can support effective teams, practices, and professional growth.
Burnout Prevention
Identifying early signs of depletion and
exploring sustainable ways to maintain capacity in demanding healthcare environments.
Communitv and Peer Connection
Building relationships with other healthcare providers who understand the unique pressures and responsibilities of clinical work.
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 learning 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.
Sara Moss, AMFT
Certified in equine-assisted learning, Sara brings a unique blend of therapeutic insight, production expertise, and management experience to HME. Passionate about innovation and connection, she designs engaging programs that help clients uncover new perspectives, improve communication, and build stronger relationships-whether in personal life or the workplace.
