Equine FacilitationTM
Licensed Equine FacilitatorTM Dawn is a licensed Equine FacilitatorTM through Melisa Pearce at Touched by a Horse. She completed a nine-month licensure program that allows her to create guided experiences with horses and humans, to help us humans become better versions of ourselves. Workshops/Retreats/Programs are now available! Taking Reservations. Call (970) 481-5263 now to have YOUR event designed specifically for your group/family/club/organization or workplace! |
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Who isan ideal client for Equine FacilitationTM?
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What aresome of the lessons horses can teach us?
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Click on the photos below to enlarge and browse through images in the photo gallery.
Equine Facilitation Client Testimonials
Kelli Wallace, Fort Collins, CO
"WOW!! We had a 5-star experience with Dawn and Julie during our Family Equine Facilitation Adventure! Prior to this experience, I had participated in Dawn's Dream Builder Program as well as attended her retreats. This was the first opportunity for me to include my family of four in one of her programs. I knew we would be in for a treat, but once again Dawn far exceeded my expectations!
The guided experiences with the horses, Drifter and Cowboy, were meaningful and impactful. I love that after each exercise we had time to share and reflect as a group. Dawn and Julie fostered meaningful conversations about being present, the importance of personal space and respecting boundaries, and exuding confidence that inspires leadership. Those conversations have continued since we returned home.
The facility we were in was beautiful and everything was well-appointed. The weather was a little chilly on the day of our session so they had heated seats, blankets and standing heaters ready to go. They even had snacks for the all of us, a pro-move much appreciated by parents. The lessons we learned from over 1,000 lb. horses and our facilitators, Dawn and Julie, were priceless. We are grateful for the truly original, meaningful and authentic day we had with them and highly recommend the adventure to all families!"
Photos below from the Wallace Family Equine Facilitation Adventure:
Dr. Cheryl G., Phoenix, AZ
"Dawn is a highly skilled Equine FacilitatorTM! In just one 15-minute session in a round pen with a horse, Dawn helped me discover the importance of being mindful of how I show up in the world. She helped me discover my inner strength and confidence, and believe in myself as a leader. Thanks to Dawn and her equine partner, I am no longer 'making myself small!' You are in good hands with Dawn! She will adeptly guide you, coach you, and teach you in a gentle, yet profound manner!"
Kairos, Silver City, NM
"As an Equine FacilitatorTM, Dawn Mathis gifts clients, even those new to horses, with opportunities to develop awareness of patterns in communication that may be holding them back. Her clear guidance and kind nature invites clients forward from little fears to big freedoms. Highly recommended experience!"
Donna P., Union, WV
"Dawn has a beautiful energetic presence that invites her clients to step into their true authentic selves. She holds the space for the releasing of fear and doubt that prevents the realization of what others are deserving in this lifetime."
Equine Gestalt Coaching Method®
Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® (EGCM) Certification Dawn completed her Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® (EGCM) Certification through Melisa Pearce at Touched by a Horse. This is a two-year program that allows Dawn to incorporate horses and Gestalt techniques for healing and launching your best life! |
Imagine
Imagine…there is something within you that causes you pain, a sense of sadness, a sense of restlessness, or angst or fear…You have questions that have no words and seek answers to the unrest, the “stuck” feeling, the sense that all is not right. Maybe you wake up at night – your heart pounding…
You are surprised or confused by your (over)reactions, to situations or people in your current life.
You are on a quest for something you cannot identify.
Can you relate?
You may ask yourself: “What is WRONG with me?!"
In Gestalt, we ask “What happened to you?” There is something in your background that is influencing your present. The word “Gestalt” means – loosely translated – “Whole” or “In the flow.”
With either translation, the work itself is unique to you, the Horse and the Gestaltist. The horse partners with the Gestaltist in ways untaught, yet seemingly exactly what is needed by YOU.
The partnership of all 3 beings creates a unique experience that draws out what is “unfinished” from your past negative events or trauma – clearing the energy that has kept you in this limbo of unrest and unease. It creates an awareness that deepens your understanding of life’s challenges.
Come explore and experience your Soul’s evolution and leave your pain behind – in the sands of the arena – and have peace…
Imagine…there is something within you that causes you pain, a sense of sadness, a sense of restlessness, or angst or fear…You have questions that have no words and seek answers to the unrest, the “stuck” feeling, the sense that all is not right. Maybe you wake up at night – your heart pounding…
You are surprised or confused by your (over)reactions, to situations or people in your current life.
You are on a quest for something you cannot identify.
Can you relate?
You may ask yourself: “What is WRONG with me?!"
In Gestalt, we ask “What happened to you?” There is something in your background that is influencing your present. The word “Gestalt” means – loosely translated – “Whole” or “In the flow.”
With either translation, the work itself is unique to you, the Horse and the Gestaltist. The horse partners with the Gestaltist in ways untaught, yet seemingly exactly what is needed by YOU.
The partnership of all 3 beings creates a unique experience that draws out what is “unfinished” from your past negative events or trauma – clearing the energy that has kept you in this limbo of unrest and unease. It creates an awareness that deepens your understanding of life’s challenges.
Come explore and experience your Soul’s evolution and leave your pain behind – in the sands of the arena – and have peace…
EGCM™ Definition
The certified by Melisa Pearce Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™
The Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™ was developed by Melisa Pearce, a core founder since 1989, of the horse human healing movement. The experiential nature of the method involves the horse as an active partner with the coach in the client’s exploratory process. The integrative approach of the equine’s interaction combined with positive coaching, somatic awareness guidance and Gestalt methodology, assists the client in examining their life and choices made with a focus on designing a positive future.
©Melisa Pearce
The certified by Melisa Pearce Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™
The Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™ was developed by Melisa Pearce, a core founder since 1989, of the horse human healing movement. The experiential nature of the method involves the horse as an active partner with the coach in the client’s exploratory process. The integrative approach of the equine’s interaction combined with positive coaching, somatic awareness guidance and Gestalt methodology, assists the client in examining their life and choices made with a focus on designing a positive future.
©Melisa Pearce
What is the certified by Melisa Pearce
Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™?
The Equine Gestalt Coaching Method is a type of coaching that helps clients bring to their awareness emotional blockages and unfinished business that may be holding them back in their lives. The personal work the Equine Gestalt Coaches guide their clients through is “in the moment”, deeply tied to somatics (body responses) and experiential in nature.
EGCM is not psychotherapy and is effective whether or not a client is in therapy. Individuals from all walks of life and all ages can benefit from EGCM coaching. If you have experienced a life change, trauma or incident that you know has deeply effected you and are now ready to clear the influences of those events from your path to growth, the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® may be for you.
Leave Your Pain in the Sand
Because the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™ often immediately creates a release of energy and emotional blocks, clients feel as if they are leaving their past emotional pain in the sand of the barn where their session was held. Contrary to most forms of talk therapy that can last for months or even years, the work is generally completed in a few sessions. Most clients experience permanent resolution to the issues worked on during their sessions and find that the process elicits lasting change in their lives.
No horse experience is necessary to participate and you won’t ride the horse during the session. However, if you own or ride horses, you might find a deeper connection to them after experiencing the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™.
Equine Gestalt Coaching Can Be Done in Private or Group Settings
Private sessions involve just the client, the horse and the coach. Most Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® coaches also offer group retreats and workshops. Many people find the group setting offers a sense of community and connection that facilitates the healing process. As each person does their own personal work, it often elicits a deep and lasting response within those present. In the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™, we call this Borrowed Benefit™ and which is often quite moving and powerful.
In either setting, the EGCM coach will make sure that the environment is safe, confidential and nurturing where you are treated with love and respect.
Some Reasons People Seek the Help of an Equine Gestalt Coach Include:
EGCM is not psychotherapy and is effective whether or not a client is in therapy. Individuals from all walks of life and all ages can benefit from EGCM coaching. If you have experienced a life change, trauma or incident that you know has deeply effected you and are now ready to clear the influences of those events from your path to growth, the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® may be for you.
Leave Your Pain in the Sand
Because the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™ often immediately creates a release of energy and emotional blocks, clients feel as if they are leaving their past emotional pain in the sand of the barn where their session was held. Contrary to most forms of talk therapy that can last for months or even years, the work is generally completed in a few sessions. Most clients experience permanent resolution to the issues worked on during their sessions and find that the process elicits lasting change in their lives.
No horse experience is necessary to participate and you won’t ride the horse during the session. However, if you own or ride horses, you might find a deeper connection to them after experiencing the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™.
Equine Gestalt Coaching Can Be Done in Private or Group Settings
Private sessions involve just the client, the horse and the coach. Most Equine Gestalt Coaching Method® coaches also offer group retreats and workshops. Many people find the group setting offers a sense of community and connection that facilitates the healing process. As each person does their own personal work, it often elicits a deep and lasting response within those present. In the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™, we call this Borrowed Benefit™ and which is often quite moving and powerful.
In either setting, the EGCM coach will make sure that the environment is safe, confidential and nurturing where you are treated with love and respect.
Some Reasons People Seek the Help of an Equine Gestalt Coach Include:
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Copyright - Melisa Pearce - used by permission.
Click on the photos below to enlarge and browse through images in the photo gallery.
Horse & Rider Feature Articles & Podcast
Mental Health Awareness Month in the US is traditionally in May. However...ANY month could be. With all that is going on in our world, Mental Health should be front and center. And the deep pain, "stuckness", trauma, etc. does not wait until a specific month of the year. We must always be aware of our inner state and sensitive to what we see in others. In honor of Mental Health and Horses & Humans everywhere, here is a portion of what horses can do and words of wisdom from a journalist and from Melisa Pearce, Founder of Touched By A Horse and the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method™.
EGCM Client Testimonials
Lyana L., Kiowa, CO
"Dawn is pure magic! She is such a bright, radiant soul. Just being in her presence lifts you up. She has such a gift of seeing the light in everyone and bringing it out. I couldn't recommend her enough!"
Charlene M., Costa Rica
"Dawn is a gift of a coach. She is calm and gentle and I feel like I can trust her with my most vulnerable emotions. She holds space for her clients with such empathy and grace and guides you to find your truth. The experiential Gestalt and sharing contact with the horse made the lessons I take with me unforgettable."
Joanna H., Waxahachie, TX
"Dawn has an incredible way of inviting her clients into the conversation and experience. She's intentional, engaging, and finds ways to bring light & humor into even the deepest work."
Patricia Y., Quilcene, WA
"Dawn is a compassionate, open-hearted, supportive individual who is born for coaching and creating safe space for clients to lay open their pain because she's been there and survived and is a force to be reckoned with as a result."
Ashley L., Parker, CO
"Dawn has become an amazing coach during the EGCM program. I observed Dawn coach a polarity piece in the round pen. She was in contact with her client the whole time and trusted her intuition. She paced herself really well and asked really good co-active questions. The transformation in Dawn's client was priceless!
Dawn has positive energy that is contagious to those around her. She is loving, authentic and empathetic to everyone she meets. She lights up a room when she walks in. She is a natural Gestaltist!"
Annie, ND
"Dawn, you seem to work with the deepest parts of me. You hold amazing space and you not only honored my sadness in one of the most devastating losses of my life, you honored Angie and the connection and friendship Angie and I once had. Thanks for walking me through my grief piece with grace and ease. You did amazingly well. Thank you!"
Jessica, Elizabeth, CO
"Dawn, you are an absolute bright light. I've seen how the herd backs you up and believes in you as I do. I'm grateful I've had the opportunity to meet you and be in your presence."
Laurie F., San Tan Valley, AZ
"What is immediately apparent with Dawn is her genuine concern and caring for others. She is the mother, sister, best friend, coach that everyone deserves to have in their life."
Morgan T., Kearney, NE
"Dawn really showed up and was very present for me as a coach. I felt safe and supported as I worked through the pain. Dawn's big kind heart shines as she holds space for hurts and heartaches."
Julie M., Boulder, CO
"Dawn is an amazing coach. Her groundedness and clarity creates a safe space for her clients to open their hearts and minds to new awarenesses."
Sign-up for NotificationsI'm Dawn Mathis, Life Coach, Consultant, Public Speaker and Owner of InSitu Life Works and Greatness UnBridled®. I invite you to sign-up to learn about our upcoming Equine FacilitationTM Workshops and find out more about Equine Gestalt Groups (trauma-informed work). ​If this type of experience is something you would love, please complete the form below! |
Wisdom from the Herd: Explore Our Newsletter Archive
- Newsletter #1, February 2024
- Newsletter #2, February 2024: Birth of a Barn
- Newsletter #3, February 2024: Birth of a Barn Series - The "Littles"
- Newsletter #4, March 2024: Birth of a Barn Series
- Newsletter #5, March 2024: Birth of a Barn Series
- Newsletter #6, April 2024: Birth of a Barn Series
- Newsletter #7, May 2024: Learn Personal Skills in a Whole New Way!
- Newsletter #8, June 2024: Equusology Clinic
- Newsletter #9, August 2024: Updated Equusology Clinic
Unbridled
I love the look of horses in the wild
Head high, face to the wind
Eyes afire - nostrils flaring — Unbridled
Hooves sending sand flying to shroud the desert sun
Long mane tangled and streaming
With a life all its own — Unbridled
To laugh, to play, to run and dance
To share the joy of living with love
For those who touch the unspoiled places — Unbridled
The spirit, the wild, the open spaces
Exalting and free
That's where my heart aspires to be — Unbridled
© Dawn Mathis
I love the look of horses in the wild
Head high, face to the wind
Eyes afire - nostrils flaring — Unbridled
Hooves sending sand flying to shroud the desert sun
Long mane tangled and streaming
With a life all its own — Unbridled
To laugh, to play, to run and dance
To share the joy of living with love
For those who touch the unspoiled places — Unbridled
The spirit, the wild, the open spaces
Exalting and free
That's where my heart aspires to be — Unbridled
© Dawn Mathis