An Invitation into Stillness, Intuition, and the Living Earth

As summer transitions to autumn and the light softens, this season offers a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and reflect on the quiet shifts in the world around us—and within ourselves.

In this special September gathering, we invite you to join a morning of mindful connection with nature and the wisdom of horses. Through guided, heart-centered experiences, we’ll explore the themes of balance, gratitude, and harvest—creating space to honor your journey, reconnect with your inner self, and embrace the gifts this season has to offer.

Part One: Forest Bathing in the Field with Horses

We’ll begin beneath the wide September sky, gathering under the tree just outside the paddocks — a living threshold between worlds. Here, we’ll open our circle, then step into the open field where the horses graze, allowing our presence to mingle gently with theirs. As we walk slowly, in the spirit of forest bathing, the field becomes our woodland, the horses our quiet companions, and the air a tapestry of early autumn scents.

This is a morning for attuning to the subtleties: the sound of hooves in grass, the shift of wind across your cheek, the warmth of late-summer light. It is a time for deep listening — to the land, the horses, and yourself.

Part Two: Presence With Horses

We’ll then shift into quiet observation and connection with our equine partners, meeting them on their own terms. This is not about riding or doing, but about being — offering the horses the same attentive presence we offer the land, and noticing what arises in the shared space.

This gathering is a gentle, restorative space where all paces and comfort levels are welcome. Whether you feel drawn to stand close or observe from a distance, your presence matters. No previous experience with horses is needed — just an openness to the wisdom of the season and the beings we meet along the way.

Along the way, we’ll weave in simple, heartfelt seasonal rituals

• Letting It Go – A Release Practice with Nature and the Horses
  With your horse partner nearby, you’ll hold a leaf as a vessel for your gratitude. When the moment feels right, release it to the air — a gesture of thanks and letting go, carried by the wind into the season’s turning.

• Harvest Sharing
  You’re invited to bring a nature gift from your garden, kitchen, or market for our shared basket of abundance. In a women’s circle, we’ll honor the season’s generosity together and return this offering to the earth in a simple ritual of reciprocity.

• Gratitude Ribbons
  What are you grateful for this season? I’ll guide you through a beautiful Celtic-inspired ceremony of writing your word of thanks on a ribbon and tying it to a branch — a small act with deep roots in the old ways, reminding us why it matters to speak our gratitude into the world.

• Seasonal Scent
  We’ll close our time with a gentle, somatic breath practice, drawing in the fragrance of rosemary, sage, or lavender — holding the essence of this moment within us, to carry forward into the turning year.

These rituals are simple enough for anyone to take part in, yet layered with meaning — each one a way of marking the shift in light, the balance between day and night, and the quiet call to turn inward.

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Details

• For those carrying fear or unease around horses, know this space is held with deep care. You are welcome to observe from outside the paddock if that feels right. Your pace is honored. Presence is enough.

• This program is thoughtfully crafted for women seeking to connect with the healing power of nature and animals. It represents years of training, refinement, and heartfelt dedication by two women who have walked this journey with authenticity and purpose.

• Whether you come to reconnect with yourself, soften into a new season, or listen for what wants to emerge — you are warmly welcomed.

• No horse or outdoor experience is required — just an open heart.

• Space is limited · Registration required

• Safety & Support: You’ll learn appropriate behavior around horses to ensure both your safety and theirs. All interactions are facilitated with care and supported by experienced guides. If you feel unsure or carry past fears, you are welcome to observe from beyond the gate. We honor where you are, and we walk gently together.

• A few days before the gathering, you will receive an email with detailed directions, what to bring, and what to wear. All participants are required to sign a liability waiver for High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center.

This offering is limited to 8 women.
Investment: $65 (non-refundable)

About our Facilitators

• About Kathleen Lowe: Kathleen Lowe, the founder of Friends of the Forest. Kathleen brings extensive expertise as a certified Mindful Outdoor Guide through the Kripalu School of Mindful Outdoor Leadership and a certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT), a global leader in evidence-based nature therapy practices. Her walks follow the ANFT’s structured approach, rooted in the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, as well as ecotherapy and the Way of Council. Each walk is a gentle, sensory-rich journey designed to reduce stress, enhance well-being, and deepen personal connection to nature. Kathleen's work is specifically designed for women, offering a safe, nurturing space to release the demands of daily life and reconnect with one’s body, inner wisdom, and the earth. Her recent training in somatic healing adds a deeper layer to this practice, inviting participants into embodied presence — allowing for release, grounding, and integration. Her background in art history from Brown University weaves in a unique appreciation for nature’s beauty as a living canvas, blending reflection, creativity, and reverence in every experience.

• About Kim Severance, CTRS, ESMHL, CTRI, MMES: From a young age, Kim has harbored a profound love for animals, with horses holding a special place in her heart. Her journey into the equestrian world began at the tender age of five, quickly evolving from casual riding to competitive events both on the flat and over jumps. These early experiences not only honed her skills but also deepened her empathy and appreciation for horses as sentient beings.

  Holding a Master of Science in Recreation and Leisure, Kim has dedicated her career to therapeutic recreation, becoming a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) in 2006. Her approach is unique, integrating animals ranging from dogs and dolphins to horses into her therapy sessions. She is continually inspired by the significant insights and transformations her clients achieve through these interspecies interactions.

  In 2019, Kim shifted her focus to primarily working with horses, earning her certification as a therapeutic riding instructor (CTRI) through PATH, followed by her qualification as an equine specialist in mental health and learning (ESMHL). Driven by a desire to reciprocate the healing horses provide, Kim has also delved into equine bodywork. As a certified Masterson Method Equine Specialist (MMES), she finds joy in fostering trust and connection, enhancing the well-being of her equine companions.

  Kim's philosophy centers on encouraging individuals to live in the moment, remain inquisitive, and trust their instincts—lessons she believes are best taught by our equine partners. Her passion and dedication not only highlight the therapeutic power of animals but also underscore the profound bond between humans and horses.

• About our Horse Partners: Our horse partners at High Hopes are professional therapeutic partners, carefully trained and supported to interact with humans in grounded, meaningful ways. Unlike “rescued” horses, each of their horses is thoughtfully selected and welcomed into the program only after a thorough evaluation by the expert team at High Hopes.