About the time out with horses The time out with horses is a relaxing period spent with a herd living in complete freedom in the wilderness of Brandenburg. Combined with trusting conversations among women and exercises for self-efficacy, mindfulness, and personal development, it is a lasting experience on many levels—including the magic of the horse herd pasture!
The whole thing has no negative impact on the environment. The women also discover that it doesn't take much to live a happy life and that here in Germany we can also roam the open spaces with horses and foals running free, just like on a ranch in Canada or a horse drive in Iceland.
Being out in nature with animals, whatever the weather. The time out with horses is a balance to fast-paced everyday life, a burnout prevention measure, and a safe space for healing in a community of women.
Many women feel a connection to horses. Some of them who come to our pasture are very experienced and are amazed at how different and liberating riding in the forest is without having to follow rules. Others have a longing to get closer to these animals, but uncertainty and fear have previously prevented them from embarking on the horse adventure.
During the time out with horses, women are invited to come and be everything that makes them who they are. In the safe circle, everything is allowed to BE, to be expressed; they are seen and not judged. We are individuals and all on our own path—no one can slip into our skin or shoes. Normally, we always do something when we come to horses. We catch, halter, groom, saddle... During horse time, we start with being: arriving in the herd, the first cautious contact, gentle sniffing on both sides, in complete tranquility, just us and the presence and energy of the horses! Time no longer matters when we are with the horses. We learn how to engage in intense contact with the animals. How does my counterpart react when I touch them with my hands? What do I perceive in this contact? How do I perceive myself? The animals are fully in the here and now and invite us to do the same. The beautiful nature around us makes it even easier for us to arrive in the present moment and be completely ourselves.
What is so magical about the women's circle? The magic of women opening up is probably difficult to describe, but rather to feel. We feel the social oppression, the "you don't say that," "don't show too much of yourself," "your emotions are inappropriate or exaggerated," "don't show off."
Lisa has the gift of allowing and holding a space in which a different direction reveals itself. Gradually, trust develops that it is really okay to say what rises from within me. Tears and laughter are allowed to be released and flow, and thereby dissolve. Often these are deeply buried, covered-up stories for which there was simply never a safe circle.
The fact that all of this is endured and supported together heals us, allows us to accept and move on more easily. What preoccupies us is allowed to come out, must be moved with words or artistic expression, otherwise it becomes stuck and makes us ill. Another offering is powerful, communal singing. It energizes us and allows us to reflect on the words we sing. How often do we allow ourselves to be bombarded with lyrics about jealousy, self-criticism, and fake sunshine? The time out with horses is about expressing our hearts, the gifts of nature, the liberation of the soul, and our special abilities, and bringing them to life.