Free Spirit Stables

05/29/2026

As Butters and I have been getting to know one another, I’ve found myself reflecting on how we build relationships.

In our human world, there’s a lot of importance placed on doing. Society teaches many of us that we’re only lovable when we earn it. When we strive harder, achieve more, and prove our worth.

The challenge with relationships built on these agendas is that they’re only sustainable as long as the agenda is being fulfilled.

They implicitly whisper that if you stop striving, achieving, or proving yourself, you may no longer be worthy of love.

Thankfully, horses seem deeply uninterested in these transactional relationships.

When I watch horses together in the pasture, I am struck by how much of their connection is built on simply being. Standing near one another. Grazing side-by-side. Resting together in the shade. They aren’t asking their herdmates to prove or achieve anything. Their relationships are built on presence, not productivity.

As I begin my journey with Butters, I’m taking a page from the horses’ playbook. Instead of giving in to the personal and societal pressure to train, ride, or progress toward a particular goal, I’m embracing the invitation to simply be in relationship.

Though “simply” being isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.

To truly share presence without an agenda, I have to let go of control. I have to create space for connection without allowing the desire for connection to become its own hidden agenda.

It requires me to be complete enough in myself to be genuinely okay if Butters chooses not to acknowledge me at all. To not need validation, attention, or anything from him beyond the opportunity to share space.

From a human perspective, imagine you are going through a difficult life transition, and a friend comes to spend time with you. They aren’t there to ask anything of you, to fix anything, or to offer advice. They’re purely there for you.

How would that feel?

That is the gift I want to offer Butters as we begin our journey together. To know we enough just as we are, right now, doing nothing.

05/27/2026

✨ Meet Butters ✨

Sometimes you see a horse and your whole heart screams YES! That’s how I felt the first time I saw Butters 💛

About a month ago, my mentor Carolyn Resnick posted about a 7-year-old gelding, part Haflinger and part Gypsy Vanner, looking for a home. When I spoke to her about him, she said he was everything she could possibly want in a horse, an extremely promising partner for Liberty Horsemanship and beyond. Knowing Carolyn and how picky she is about her horses, her excitement (and a vet check 😉) was all I needed to turn my YES into a HELL YES!

I’m beyond thrilled to say Butters has officially joined the Free Spirit herd.

Over the weekend, I traveled to Bonsall, California, to bring him home. It was lovely getting to spend time with his previous family and friends and to witness how deeply he’s been cared for.

I also had the joy of seeing Carolyn in person as she shared more of her experiences with Butters and her delight that he’s going to a loving home where we’ll continue his Liberty journey.

The trip back to Santa Cruz went smoothly, and Butters has already settled in beautifully. He’s currently in the paddock next to Mick and Bill, and the three of them have been getting acquainted over the fence, sharing space and getting to know one another.

Over the coming days, I’ll be slowly and intentionally introducing Butters to Mick and Bill, giving them time, space, and guidance as they work out their new herd dynamics.

I’m absolutely over the moon to have him here 😊 More photos and videos coming soon as Butters continues settling into life with us 🐴✨


 
 
 


05/17/2026

When I tell people I dance with horses, the first response is almost always: “What does that actually look like?” 🤔

The way I dance with horses is very similar to the way I social dance with people. In some ways, it’s even easier because horses are incredibly sensitive to body language, energy, and intention.

There’s no riding. Just two and four feet on the ground, moving in partnership and responding to one another moment by moment.

Both humans and horses remain at liberty, free from physical and emotional “tack.” There’s no requirement to touch, no pressure to perform, and no expectation to “do it right.” Just an invitation to notice what happens when we bring our attention into our bodies, valuing presence and connection over choreography and performance.

Dancing with Horses sessions begin with settling in and sharing space, allowing all of us, human and horse alike, to truly arrive.

From there, we explore some of the horses’ natural instincts around movement: the tendency to move toward that which is leaving them, and away from that which is coming toward them.
Then we begin putting these ideas into practice with our fellow humans first, refining our nonverbal communication and clarifying our intentions.

When we invite the horses into the dance, it can look like walking side by side, mirroring movements, pausing together, moving apart, and finding each other again.

Sometimes the most meaningful moments of the dance are felt rather than seen.

If you’re curious about connection, presence, movement, and embodied experiences, we’ll be exploring together on June 14th.

No prior horse or dance experience needed 💞

Tickets and more information here: https://www.freespiritstables.com/horsedance

05/13/2026

How do you feel when a horse says no?

Sometimes I notice feeling hurt, angry, or frustrated. I’ve learned these feelings are important information.

While speaking with Carolyn Resnick the other day, she said something I wrote down immediately:

“If you stepped into the request comfortably, you can step out of it comfortably.”

That landed deeply for me. When I make a request carrying tension, urgency, or expectation, a no can feel very personal. Those triggered feelings remind me to check whether I offered a true choice.

When I hold a request lightly, I can release it just as lightly.

I often see this coming up when clients ask horses to come or go. In either case, if the horse says no, hurt feelings and frustration can rush in, causing even greater disconnection.

Instead of reacting from a triggered place, we can pause, breathe, and look for the question our horse wants to say yes to. Then we can ask it lightly.

These experiences have shown me that connection doesn’t come from insisting. It comes from inviting, listening, learning, and trying again.

And perhaps most importantly, remembering that our self-worth isn’t dependent on the horse saying yes.

✨

Have you ever noticed what comes up for you in a moment like this?

Send a message to learn more

05/08/2026

This Sunday, we’re exploring the subtle, powerful world of close-embrace connection. Small movements, clear presence, and attentive listening shape a seemingly effortless partnership.

🗓️ Date: Sunday, May 10th - Mother’s Day evening 💕
📍 Location: Free Spirit Stables
1148 Green Valley Rd., Corralitos, CA
⏳ Time: 6:00 PM
🕺 Lesson (6–7 PM):
Join Jeff & Coleen Clark for an exploration of inward and close-embrace connection as seen in Balboa, Blues, and Argentine Tango. We’ll focus on building a comfortable, responsive partnership and discover the nuanced dialogue that emerges when two dancers move as one.
🎶 DJs:
7–8 PM: Jeff Clark
8–9 PM: Linda Maxwell
💛 Contribution:
Sliding scale $10–$20 to support the space, teachers, and DJs, or bring a dish for the community potluck.
❓ What to bring:
Warm layers (we’ll be dancing outside 🌝)
A water bottle or beverage of choice
Optional: a dish to share (snacks will be provided)
🤔 Who it’s for:
People who are drawn to connection over performance. People looking to explore partnerships created with presence, clarity, and trust.
All experience levels welcome, no prior dance experience required.

 
 
 
 

05/06/2026

Looking for your herd? 🐴
This might be it.

The Liberty Horsemanship community is a space for people exploring relational and consent-based horsemanship in Santa Cruz and the greater Bay Area.
A place to share experiences, ask questions, and stay connected to local events.💞

Scan the QR code to join.

05/04/2026

“Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter.” — Yoda

Here’s to being authentically you.
Shine your light ✨

May the Horse Be With You, always 🐴💖

05/01/2026

An invitation to dance with the freedom of true choice.

Dancing with Horses
June 14
Save the date.

Details coming soon