#5 Addressing Elephants and Finding Grace with Kathryn Hofstetter
It was a joy and actual breath of fresh air to speak to Kathryn. I’m grateful for her ability to unabashedly acknowledge those seemingly larger-than-life and at times, intimidating aspects of pursuing healing in the horse world, while simultaneously bringing an immense amount of grace through her intentionality, vulnerability, and thoughtfulness.
Kathyrn Hoftstetter is an Equine Trauma Specialist, Holistic Horsemanship Facilitator, Certified Usui and Equine Reiki practitioner & Master Teacher, Equine Herbalist, and Para-equestrian whose dedicated to using her voice to raise awareness about invisible disabilities in the equine industry.
Her methodology is rooted in equine psychology and biomechanics. Through her business Open Heart Horsemanship, she operates programs such as Equine Trauma Recovery, Soulmate Synergy Equitation, Equine Emotional Empowerment & Rider Anxiety Resolution, Youth Horsemanship, and (my personal favorite) the Mustang Mystery School.
My interview with her was nothing less than inspiring as she has a true way with words (I think especially when compared to how most gifted horse people I come across tend to have horsemanship come naturally, but words… less so). She possesses a wisdom far beyond her years thanks to her unique interactions with horses, and her health journey which she details in the episode, that is/was anything but easy.
In this interview we talk about:
Invisible disabilities and the role they played in leveling up Kathryn’s horsemanship and opening her eyes to the equine-experience
Validating and allowing trauma in horses in order for them to unwind, and how their healing can promote our own self healing
Self-accountability and how horses aren’t simply “cosmic therapists we’ve been blessed with” but highly emotional intelligent beings that reflect our nature, thoughts, feelings, and more
Ethics of our scope of practice as horsemanship facilitators who acknowledge the healing capabilities of horse-human interactions
The importance of saying “I don’t know” and “show me” as horse trainers and horsemanship practitioners
Embracing Holistic Horsemanship over Natural Horsemanship, and the difference between the two
The need to do shadow work and sit with the heavy emotions in our interactions with horses rather than forcing play, fun, and a no-bad-days mindset
The elephants in the horse industry and how being the person to point out the “elephant in the room” means becoming comfortable and OK with having people not like what you have to say
Each interview is accompanied by a transcript for listeners who love the written word as I do. Check out the written version, ‘Addressing Elephants and Finding Grace with Kathryn Hofstetter’ by clicking the button below.
Resources
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Check out the interview transcript for this episode, ‘Addressing Elephants and Finding Grace with Kathryn Hofstetter’ on the blog.
Links from this episode: