Facing Fear with Horses | Mind Training & Personal Growth

1. Facing Fear with Horses: A Journey of Mind Training and Personal Growth At Clear Sky Retreat Center, surrounded by forest and stillness, I found myself stepping into unfamiliar territory: natural horsemanship training. I wasn’t “horse crazy.” In fact, I was afraid. During our first session with Yvonne, our natural horsemanship instructor, I admitted it: “I’ve never understood horses. I’m afraid of them.” What followed wasn’t reassurance, but quiet witnessing. I felt seen—and that was powerful. Growing up, fear felt like something done to me, beyond my control. But through my training with Catherine Sensei and Qapel, I’ve begun to shift that view. Fear is part of life, but it doesn’t have to run it. Qapel once said, “You must be willing to die, no matter what.”It wasn’t about recklessness—it was about training the mind to stay present, even when fear arises. Working with horses showed me this in action. As I learned their non-verbal communication style, I noticed something shift—not just in how I moved, but

2. in how I related to challenge. Fear transformation became possible. I could feel fear without freezing. I could choose mindful awareness instead. Each interaction with the horses became an opportunity for emotional resilience, conscious communication, and spiritual growth. Being witnessed in that vulnerable space—even by the horses—was a kind of medicine. We don’t need to conquer fear alone. Let’s share our stories, support one another, and keep walking the path of personal development—together.