White Horse Sanctuary

What is Horse Spirit Medicine?

Slowing down into horse time is a meditation in nature. Feeling alive, here and now.In the presence of horses, the electromagnetic energy fields of your human heart and brain come into a state of coherence - that’s why being around them feels so good. Our human nervous system regulates, as well.Learn how body language and energy, the horses’ and your own, are the keys to meaningful interactions with our wise equine friends.Experience true leadership, too, of yourself and of others, by building trust with a horse.Horses are a natural portal to the wisdom and healing found in the spirit world. Come as you are, whether for life guidance and insight, confidence, personal healing and collective healing, hands-on love, or just for the fun of it.If you’re afraid of horses, we can help with that, too. And for experienced horse-lovers, a deeper communion. Enquire about our small-group programs and retreats "Earth Wisdom, Horse Wisdom".All our work is held within the guidelines of Pro-EFW-Canada, the Professional Association for Equine Facilitated Wellness.

Horse Wisdom for Dr. Charles

Two friends and I stand in a big grassy paddock on Cortes Island. Six horses are grazing with their heads down in the summer warmth. Hollyhock co-founders Charles Steinberg and Torkin Wakefield are here with a question: Charles asks for a reflection about the HIV treatment project he has been working with in Kampala, Uganda... Continue reading

Wildly Familiar: Nature’s Sixth Sense

In Zimbabwe, Oriane Lee talks with two safari guides after their Equine Guided Learning session. More at home with elephants and lions, than with horses, the guides compare her approach with horses with their own experience of tracking wild animals in the African bush.

Healing with Horses in Africa

I hadn’t noticed the girl lying on her back on a blanket below the bleachers where I sit observing the other youngsters circling the round corral on their horses. Three children at a time, each held in the saddle by an enthusiastic groom on either side. A third groom, or volunteer from the community, carries the lead rope in front... Continue reading

Horses & Leadership in Africa

“Here come the horses!”Although there are just two of them, it might as well be a thundering herd for the amount of excitement in the air. Six Mozambican students at the residential teachers’ college near Vilanculos have met me on the grassy grounds for an afternoon of Horses & Leadership, learning body language communication skills by interacting with horses, in addition to practicing their English conversation... Continue reading

From Margie:

My intimidating training, as a child, about ‘mastery’ of the horse, never made sense to me. With Omar & Raven, I felt them ‘assessing’ me and choosing safe loving behaviour to share with my spirit. Even beyond that, sitting bareback on Omar, in stillness, he understood and cared for my physical limitations, from an injury, as if he were reading my thoughts. An astonishing level of intimacy and trust. Thank you, Omar. Thank you, Raven. Thank you, Oriane Lee.Margie Gillis
Artistic director, choreographer, dancer
La Foundation de Danse Margie Gillis

From Chloe:

When we set out across the field to meet Omar and Raven, who were quietly grazing fifty yards away, I had no idea an extraordinary encounter awaited. My childhood passion for horse riding ended abruptly, after a dramatic fall with one foot caught in the stirrup, whilst my horse galloped on. As we walked slowly closer to Omar and Raven, a primal apprehension arose. However, Oriane Lee’s way of being with them––and they with her––dissolved my fears in seconds. This, in itself, was profoundly healing. Then, she suggested I sing to them. I will never forget Omar’s warm response to me, the resonance and sensuality of our meeting as he came over and stood with his head beside mine, ears turned toward my voice. I am beyond words with the wonder of his deep listening; I felt a profound ‘knowing’ of me. The healing presence of these two beautiful white horses continues to live on within me.Chloe Goodchild, The Naked Voice

From Kendall:

After I made friends with the two horses over a few visits, and helped Oriane Lee with the “manure meditation” (picking up horse poop in the paddock), Omar entrusted his lead rope to me and we could go for a walk in the forest. It is powerful to be in synch with his beautiful being as he walks alongside me, in step. Omar shows me when I am going too fast and when I am not paying attention. I feel like a kid again, learning a new heart-centred relationship skill. Confidence-building, and helpful in my human relationships, for sure.Kendall Kuropatwa
Author, BC Canada

From Gus:

I've never have been a 'horse person', but my time with Raven and Omar was humbling, transformative and, really, rather mystical––all while remaining grounded in the earthy reality of standing with two horses in a green meadow on a sunny day. In that normal, yet magical, space, I felt a never-before, deep, heart-to-heart connection with an animal, that remains vivid to this day. Oriane Lee offers guidance quietly, yet assuredly, allowing and supporting whatever is unfolding in human encounters with these two great horse-hearts.Gus McLeod
Edinburgh, Scotland

From James:

I’ve been terrified of horses since a camp counselor warned me as a kid to NEVER walk behind a horse or I’d be kicked. And now I’m 65. All that fear bubbled up and, then, dissolved in an exquisite and beautiful experience with Raven. In the end, I was standing directly behind him with my body fully touching, arms stretched out, head resting on his haunches… at peace, at ease and open…a moment of sheer tranquility and trust, and one I’ll always remember.James Weinberg
Musician, Songwriter

From Mary Beth:

Knowing horses are highly intuitive, I’d wanted to be with them in a therapeutic way for quite a while. At first, seeing Omar and Raven, I was truly afraid of their size and power but was guided at my own pace. It was astounding how respectful and accurate their movements toward or away from me were, in response to my changing levels of fear. Oriane Lee helped me navigate my feelings, thoughts and beliefs and, then, to see the horses’ behavior as a mirror of my emotional journey. It was a gentle yet deep-healing experience.Mary Beth Cysewski
Musician, SongwriterUpdate, one year later:
My second experience with Oriane Lee and the horses was in a small group on beautiful warm, sunny, summer day. When a deep fear arose in me, a fear of being hurt, somehow…kicked, bitten, pushed over, Oriane Lee guided us, one-by-one, in voicing our feelings and noticing how they might be a reflection of something deeper inside ourselves. I began to relax and trust.Near the end of the day, the magic happened for me. During an exquisite guided meditation, I felt the support of the earth herself––the ground upon which the horses walk––and something changed deep within me. I felt like a horse, myself, as if I understood their world and how safe I was. When Levi, a very big palomino draft horse that I’d been afraid of before, was brought into the field, it was astounding. I had no fear. I felt totally at ease, trusting and safe with Levi, moving in close to stroke him. I essentially fell in love. I am in awe, still.Photo below
Oriane Lee in a scene from her memoir, The Geography of Belonging. A Love Story of Horses & Africa, with the horse safari herd in Mavuradonha Wilderness, Zimbabwe.