Listening to the Quiet: A November Gathering with Horses

Honoring the Pause Before Winter

There is a quiet, steady wisdom that lives in the presence of horses — a language beyond words, an invitation into deep listening.

As November settles over the land, we, too, are invited to slow our pace. The air is cool and clear, the earth softening into rest. It is a season of inward turning — of releasing what has run its course and tending to what remains.

You are warmly invited to step into this rhythm of stillness and reflection. We’ll begin with a gentle forest bathing walk, letting the bare branches and fallen leaves guide us toward a deeper awareness of our own inner landscape.

From there, we’ll move into the quiet pastures of High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, where the horses move freely — unhaltered, unhurried, wholly themselves. Together, we’ll learn to see and sense as they do: grounded, attuned, and utterly present. There is no expectation to touch or approach — only to observe, to breathe, and to simply be in their company.

If you carry fear or unease around horses, know that this space is held with tenderness. You are welcome to observe from outside the gate, to move gently at your own pace. Nothing is required of you — your presence is enough.

After our time with the herd, we’ll gather for journaling, tea, and a closing circle, reflecting on what the horses and the season have shown us — about trust, boundaries, stillness, and the wisdom of quiet companionship.

This offering is open to all women who feel called.
No horse experience is needed — only an open heart.

What You Can Expect

A serene and meaningful morning of presence and reflection:

• Guided forest bathing walk

• Time in the paddock with horses at liberty — no halters, no demands

• Equine-guided meditation and reflection

• Journaling and an oracle card draw

• Tea and closing sharing circle

• Special gift for participants

Safety & Support

• 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 will be held primarily outdoors, immersed in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the natural world. In the event of inclement weather, we may spend the entire time inside the facility or a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring comfort while maintaining the experience of presence and connection.

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.