Embracing Self Love and Care With Horses

As winter lingers, the cold can feel particularly biting, and the days remain short. For many women, this time of year brings a sense of emotional and physical depletion. The rush to reset and get back into routines can feel overwhelming, leaving little space for what matters most: nourishing yourself.

February, with its quiet energy, offers a perfect opportunity to focus on self-love and care, and to reconnect with your own needs. This offering is a sanctuary—a chance to replenish your energy, restore balance, and honor the self in the company of horses, whose gentle presence helps guide you back to a place of inner calm and clarity.

Imbolc, the ancient celebration marking the midpoint between winter solstice and spring equinox, is a time of renewal, new beginnings, and awakening energy. It invites us to turn inward, slow down, and listen to the deeper rhythms of our bodies and hearts. This offering provides a space to honor this season of transition, allowing for self-reflection and healing while gently stepping into a new phase of growth.

Horses are remarkable creatures, deeply attuned to our emotions. Their grounded energy provides a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and release the mental and emotional weight that has accumulated during the colder months. In their presence, you’ll find the space to simply be—to rest, to breathe, and to reconnect with yourself in a way that’s nurturing and supportive.

The time spent with the horses will be restorative, offering you the chance to tune into their energy and allow them to guide you toward stillness. Their quiet wisdom will help you reconnect with your own, giving you the clarity and peace needed to nourish your body, mind, and spirit.

As we come together for this offering, you’ll be invited to slow down, embrace stillness, and cultivate self-love and care during a time of year that asks for reflection and renewal. The horses will be there to support your journey, helping you release what no longer serves and create space for the new beginnings Imbolc invites us to explore.

Our time together will conclude with a peaceful reflection period, where you’ll have the opportunity to journal, share insights, and offer gratitude for the horses, the land, and the quiet transformation that has taken place.

This offering is an invitation to honor yourself, to practice self-love, and to connect with the restorative energy of winter. It’s a time to pause, to breathe, and to embrace the power of inner care and reflection. In the presence of the horses, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of peace, vitality, and clarity, ready to embrace the new beginnings of the season ahead.

Join us in February for a restorative experience focused on self-love and care, aligned with the energy of Imbolc.

What You Can Expect

• Experience a serene and transformative journey with quiet moments of reflection, personal time connecting with the horses, journaling, and equine-guided activities and meditation. In the presence of these majestic animals, you'll explore the beauty and depth of this sacred space, sharing it with an intimate group of just eight women.
• Reflective time with the therapeutic horses of High Hopes as companions on your journey toward self-discovery. As you spend time alongside these majestic creatures, their presence alone evokes a sense of calmness and serenity.
• The journey begins with a grounding meditation to center yourself in the present moment. You will learn appropriate behavior around horses to ensure both their safety and yours. Participant safety and the well-being of the horses are our top priorities. All interactions are guided by experienced facilitators, ensuring a safe, respectful, and enriching experience for both you and the horses.
• This offering will be held indoors at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, a private horse-centered healing center in Old Lyme.
• Several days before the class, you will be emailed detailed instructions on getting to the property and what you need to bring/wear.
• All participants are required to sign liability waivers for High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center.
• This offering is limited to only EIGHT women.
• $50 investment. This offering is NON-REFUNDABLE.

Your Equine Facilitator from High Hopes

Kim Severance, CTRS, ESHHL, 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.