August brings us into the season of first harvest. The landscape is rich with abundance. Fields sway with golden grasses. Blackberries hang heavy on their branches. Sunflowers stand tall in the late summer light. Everywhere, nature offers evidence of a season lived fully.
This is a time for gathering. Not gathering more, but gathering what already exists.
The moments that nourished us. The relationships that sustained us.The joys we almost rushed past. The quiet gifts that have been waiting for our attention.
In the old harvest traditions, this season was a pause between labor and preparation. A moment to acknowledge what the earth had provided before turning toward the work still ahead. There was gratitude in it. Celebration. Community. An understanding that abundance is not measured by how much we produce, but by how deeply we are nourished.
The horses meet us here.
Living close to the rhythms of the natural world, they remind us of the importance of belonging. They live within relationship—with their herd, the land beneath their feet, the changing seasons, and the present moment itself.
They do not hurry the season. They do not cling to what has passed or rush toward what comes next. They simply inhabit the life before them.
In their presence, we are invited to do the same.
To notice what has sustained us. To honor what has carried us this far. To receive the gifts that are already here. To remember that restoration often begins not with doing more, but with allowing ourselves to be nourished.
This gathering is an invitation to step away from the demands of daily life and enter a different rhythm—one guided by nature, the wisdom of the herd, and the quiet abundance of the harvest season.
As we gather with the horses, we might ask:
What has nourished me this season?
What am I grateful for?
What gifts am I ready to receive?
How can I carry this abundance forward?
Like the harvest season itself, the horses remind us that fulfillment is not something we chase.
Sometimes it is something we pause long enough to notice.
Our Gathering
Our gathering will begin outdoors with a guided meditation in nature. Resting on the earth beneath the summer sky, we will take time to settle our nervous systems, awaken our senses, and arrive fully in the present moment. Together, we will listen to the sounds of the landscape, feel the warmth of the season, and allow ourselves to become part of the living world around us.
From there, we will spend time seated beside the paddock, observing the horses before entering their space. Through a series of gentle invitations, we will practice the art of noticing—watching without interpretation, witnessing without expectation.
How do the horses move through relationship?
What captures their attention?
How do they communicate, rest, respond, and simply be?
Before connection comes observation. Before interaction comes understanding. Only after this period of quiet witnessing will we enter the paddock. Among the horses at liberty, we step into a space where connection cannot be forced and presence matters more than performance. The horses are free to approach, move away, remain nearby, or continue about their day. Every interaction unfolds naturally and on their terms. You may experience moments of connection. You may experience moments of simply standing quietly among them. Both are equally valuable. The invitation is not to seek an outcome but to notice what arises within you—how your body responds, how your awareness shifts, what feels comfortable, what feels vulnerable, what feels true.
We will move between observation, interaction, reflection, and quiet presence, allowing the experience to unfold organically.
Following our time with the horses, there will be space for personal journaling and reflection.
We will close our gathering with a simple nature-based ritual of gratitude, honoring the horses, the land, the season, and whatever insights or gifts have emerged during our time together.
No horse experience is required—only a willingness to be present.
Come as you are. Move at your own pace. There is nothing to achieve here.
Only an opportunity to listen, observe, and remember what it feels like to belong to the living world.
Safety & Support
For those carrying fear, uncertainty, or unease around horses, this space is held with deep care. You are always welcome to observe and participate at your own comfort level. Presence is enough.
All interactions with the horses are facilitated with care and supported by experienced guides and volunteers. The horses' wellbeing and your safety remain at the center of the experience.
This offering is thoughtfully created for women seeking connection—with nature, with animals, and with themselves. It is the result of years of experience, study, and heartfelt intention.
Whether you come to reconnect, reflect, or simply spend a few hours in a different way of being, you are warmly welcomed.
A few days before the gathering, you will receive an email with details on what to bring, what to wear, and directions. All participants are required to sign a liability waiver for High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center.
This offering is limited to 8 women.
Investment: $75 (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.