Power in Presence
Harmony with Horses
Invitation
Inner Freedom invites you to experience the medicine of being with horses. Horses guide us in returning to the wisdom of our hearts and the softness of being present, moment to moment, with what is. Reclaim your inner knowing and reconnect with your true self through grounding, being with and observing the herd, and embodying your space.
We create offerings with our herd of three mustangs and two donkeys on the land we live on and love in Southwest Michigan. We collaborate with several amazing friends and practitioners to combine horse medicine with other modalities creating unique opportunities to learn with horses and be with them for peace, truth, joy, and remembering of our nature.
Come as you are; allow the herd to receive you. Horses meet us without judgement or agenda, and beyond right/wrong, good/bad, should/shouldn’t and the complexity of our mental stories. There is nothing to fix, improve, or figure out.
All experiences with the Inner Freedom herd are on the ground with horses as sovereign partners and relational sentient beings. No prior horse experience is necessary, there are no mounted activities, horses are free roaming, touch is optional, and all sessions are confidential.
About Us
About Us
Inner Freedom creates experiences with horses through one-on-one sessions with the herd, group herd experiences, and retreats. We share horse medicine grounded in presence, heart centeredness, embodiment, and connection. The horses guide us and support us, showing us what it feels like to be them: self-honoring, embodied, sovereign and individual yet inseparable from the herd.
What is horse medicine? It is the medicine of being with horses as sovereign partners and relational sentient beings. While each experience is unique, each experience will include grounding, a somatic exercise or two, a herd observation, and space to be with and open to the horses.
What is a herd observation? In a herd we can observe the horses in their bodies responding to what they feel in their environment. And things happen: an animal such as a deer may appear on the hillside, or the wind may blow a scent through the pasture, or one horse may put its ears back to another to claim space and illuminate a boundary. We observe how the horses respond to these stimuli, how they communicate what they are feeling, how they stay safe by feeling each other and their environment. And then, the herd returns to harmony. The herd goes back to grazing, if you will. Back to peace, presence, nervous system regulation, and listening. Receiving what is.
The horses are amazing partners to us in remembering the power of awareness, observation, and returning home to presence. Observing what is, responding as we need to, even getting caught up as we invariably do as humans with stories, fears, illusions…and then returning again to harmony. Moment to moment. In observation, we tune into what we are feeling in our bodies, in our hearts, what our thoughts are saying, and we can have the spaciousness to receive life as it is. Similarly, the horses receive us as we are. They hold no judgement for us, they meet us as we are, without expectation.
This is an inside-out approach and what we share is continuously in creation through living experience. Each session and experience is unique depending on the energy of the herd, the people here, the collective, the intention, the land and the elements. We offer several session formats and we host events. While most of our sessions and events are during the warmer months, we are available year-round.
We feel honored to collaborate with several amazing friends to create unique experiences including retreats and events in the spring/summer/fall, including High Low Tarot, Stacy Nelson, and Preeti Samraj.
We are located in Buchanan, Michigan.
The Human
I am a woman living and learning how to be at peace with what life is on a bit of land in Southwest Michigan with my husband, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 donkeys and 3 horses. The medicine of being with horses called me to rural living in 2021 to begin collaborating with my herd after years of living in cities and doing jobs that left me depleted.
I grew up in South Carolina loving horses, fearlessly competing in eventing, but what I really loved even then were the quiet moments I spent with them without agenda. Coming back to being with horses twenty years later I am remembering and relearning what it truly means to be with horses, and myself, without dominance.
Horses are my personal guides, friends, and collaborators. I facilitate horse medicine from my inner knowing which is beyond any certification, education, or training. I have also studied formally: I’m a certified Advanced Facilitator from the Horse Medicine Leadership Academy and a certified TRH Practitioner from The Reflective Horse® in Equine Guided Empowerment® and Somatic Reprogramming®. I am a certified Reiki I and II practitioner. I have studied Zhineng Qigong, yoga, and various meditation practices. I have a BA in Italian from University of Colorado and a MS in Health Promotion from Indiana University.
If you’re curious about my story, which is, after all, only a story, please see the musing Elizabeth’s Story.
The Guides
Horses inspire awe within us and symbolize beauty, freedom, power, and majesty. They live in their bodies, in herds, intimately connected with their environment in the present moment. Having journeyed with humans for thousands of years across new frontiers, into war, powering agriculture and transportation, horses and humans have a unique relationship. Many of us feel that they are here now supporting us in elevating our consciousness at this crucial time in human history.
Some of us may feel fear with horses, in part because of their size. At ~1,000 pounds, sharing space with such large animals certainly calls us to be aware, grounded, and present. Approaching them as herd animals, which we share with all people meeting the herd, supports us in understanding what they are communicating and how to interact with them safely and respectfully.
Incredibly, there has been research in recent years from The Heart Math Institute about the relationship between horses, humans, and our big, beautiful hearts. Human hearts come into coherence, or harmony, and our nervous systems regulate, simply by being with horses.
In my experience, horses are drawn to us when we are congruent, or when there is harmony between our internal experience and how we are presenting externally. This may sound straightforward, but the more aware I am of my own internal experience, the more aware I am of how much I subtly override, ignore, suppress, and fight with my emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations. Being with horses can illuminate some of these limitations and invite a gentler, softer, and more loving way of being. And the horses are attracted to this purity of heart, the quiet unwavering presence within us that knows no bounds.
We have three mustangs and two donkeys. They are utterly themselves, and with each passing day reveal the expansiveness of their nature. While I could share a story of who each one is, perhaps it’s more truthful for them to show you. We invite you to come experience the power of your own heart here with the herd.
The Place
Inner Freedom is based in Buchanan, Michigan. We are 1.5 hours from Chicago, IL; 1 hour from Kalamazoo, MI; 30 minutes from South Bend, IN; and 30 minutes from St. Joseph, MI.
Sessions
We offer several ways of being with the horses, and generally sessions are in the warmer months (May–October). If you want to come in the horses’ furry season please reach out, we are here.
1:1 Experiences
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Herd Experience
Our signature session, this is a ~2 hour experience tailored for one person’s unique journey. This offering is an opportunity to open to the support of the horses and attune to their energy and wisdom. The session begins in the upstairs of the barn overlooking the pasture with a check-in to land and settle into the space. We will orient with an intention to serve you in your experience with the herd based on your goals and needs.
1 person
$240
Local and returning guests enjoy special rates—reach out to learn more.
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Herd Experience with High Low Tarot
This is a ~2.5 hour appointment beginning with a tarot and/or astrology (Stars & Cards) reading with Julie Kelton of High Low Tarot in the Inner Freedom barn followed by a Herd Experience with the horses.
1 person
$318
Local and returning guests enjoy special rates—reach out to learn more.
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Herd Heart Healing
Humble Herd of Healers invites you to join our co-creation with humans, horses, the land, and the invisible realm. We offer Herd Heart Healings with the Inner Freedom herd of horses and donkeys in Buchanan, Michigan.
Herd Heart Healings are ~75 minute sessions for a participant with two reiki practitioners and the herd. Sessions are outdoors, April – October. As part of a session, the participant has space to connect and meet the herd, set a healing intention, receive reiki from Stacy and Elizabeth, and experience the healing energy of the herd. Reiki is a Japanese energy healing modality that shares universal life force energy to promote wellbeing, stress reduction, and relaxation.
1 person
$180
Local and returning guests enjoy special rates—reach out to learn more.
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Herd Heart Tarot
This is a 2 hour appointment combining a Herd Heart Healing session with the horses followed by a tarot and/or astrology (Stars & Cards) reading with High Low Tarot in the Inner Freedom barn.
This is a unique experience tailored for one person’s journey. This offering is an opportunity to open to the support of the modalities of tarot and/or astrology plus the wisdom of the horses and reiki. The experience begins with the Herd Heart Healing with the horses followed by a reading in the upstairs of the barn.
1 person
$258
Local and returning guests enjoy special rates—reach out to learn more.
Group Experiences
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Group Herd Experience
This is a ~2 hour session for a group of 2 – 8 people. We begin in the upstairs of the barn overlooking the pasture with a check-in to land and settle into the space. We will each orient with a personal intention to serve in the experience with the herd based on our own goals and needs.
2-8 people
$300+
Local and returning guests enjoy special rates—reach out to learn more.
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Herd Visit
This is a 60-75 minute session for a group that can include children ages 5+ with adult(s). We begin in the upstairs of the barn overlooking the pasture with a check-in. Depending on where the group’s curiosity is, we’ll learn about the herd and how horses communicate and live in the wild, we’ll connect with our awareness and our senses, and observe the horses in their pasture.
2-5 people
$250
Local and returning guests enjoy special rates—reach out to learn more.
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Field Trip
This is a build-your-own retreat! Available for up to twelve people, this can be designed as a half-day or full-day retreat.
We collaborate with awesome practitioners including High Low Tarot, Preeti Samraj, and Stacy Nelson, and Cordelia McClintock to create experiences for your group to relax in your body, be in nature, and remember your true self. Field Trip can be for a special occasion, such as a birthday or other celebration, or for a group of friends/colleagues/family to gather and deepen their connection.
up to 12 people
$450+
Local and returning guests enjoy special rates—reach out to learn more.
What to expect
Inner Freedom is a place to reconnect with the power of your loving awareness. We are excited to share a space to honor the horses as sovereign beings, and we invite you into this before we enter the pasture. We respect their personal space as we do our own; there is no requirement of touch. When we feel invited we may touch the horses, although only if we want to. Likewise, if we don’t want to share our personal space with the horses, then we honor that.
Come as you are, there’s no need to do anything before your session. Bring a journal if you want, although it’s not necessary. We will begin in a covered space observing the horses before moving into the field. Please dress for being outside: layers, sturdy closed toe shoes for being around the horses (boots are optimal), a hat for sun protection, a rain jacket if it’s in the forecast, bug spray or sunscreen. If you’re looking for recommendations for accommodations in the area, please ask, we are happy to share.
Musings
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Introducing Frankie Cosmos, the newest member joining the Inner Freedom herd. I am the excited new co-mama to this soulful creature with my dear friend Julie! This herd addition reflects a heart following for JOY. Many people ask me if I ride and the truth is yes, I do some trailriding now with Emmylou. However,…
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A friend reminded me of a Robert Frost poem recently (below) and it ignited a desire within me to do something I’d never done: ride my horse at night. In the snow! And then I quickly added, under a full moon! On the last night of January we were given clear skies and a nearly…
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What gift is greater than presence? The simple offering of being with, giving attention, witnessing and listening is tremendous. Both internally, and when shared with another. It’s simple. Yet I forget so easily and get caught up in thinking. My ego clouds my true self. I get entangled in the illusions of what was and…
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One of my favorite poems since I first read it five years ago is “Sweet Darkness” by David Whyte. It speaks to me always, and in particular when I feel the depths of the unknown, perhaps fear, or confusion. Is it the darkening of the light at this time of year? The chaotic nature of…
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Leaves falling, geese calling, and another harvest as we all feel the change sweeping across our lives, both literally in this season and all the myriad ways change is happening for us collectively and individually, breaking our hearts open, again and again. There is something about fall that really draws me to the humble wisdom…
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I sat on the ledge near his muzzle as he napped. He extended his front hoof to me. Again, Again. Come with me. Again. Yes, in my heart. I relaxed into the dimension he visits often, beyond separation. No intellect. Only knowing. I observed the stories receding, my name dissolving. My body released a hundred layers…
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August 2025 Hello in this sweet time of summer! It is such a special season to me and probably you, as we savor the warmth and abundance knowing that soon it will change. One of my favorite experiences this time of year is the vibration of the insects and small animals – the cicadas, crickets,…
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June 2025 Summer is upon us. I have been reflecting on how the herd’s new pasture which we have been working toward opening for six months mirrors my own journey in sharing horse medicine with people. In December we removed old grape vines and their accompanying infrastructure to build a new pasture for the herd….
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I heard recently that humans are more attuned to the scent of spring than sharks are to the scent of blood. In other words, our bodies are hardwired to detect the earth’s early signals of a season’s shift. I’ve noticed my own attunement to spring this year and it’s true, the slightest hint of the…
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Horses support us in remembering our true self. The self that is beyond any one identity, thought, definition, or judgment. Our true self, or you might say our soul, higher self, or authentic self. The self that is always here, witnessing, present. I thought I knew this, since after all, it’s what I love sharing…
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Our dog Ruby Jean died on January 28, 2025. She was my best friend; I will never stop missing her. She was also the first animal for whom I’ve had the responsibility to make an end of life decision, something I will likely have again in the future, since I remain committed to loving animals…
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Sitting here at the end of 2024, many of us are feeling uncertain about the future. Perhaps apprehensive and worried, fearful, or maybe sometimes hopeful, and possibly even at moments excited about the thrill of being alive in an era of intense upheaval and transformation. With intense political and social tension as well as grand…
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It’s okay to change In a recent session we followed the client’s desire to walk up to the top of the hill to sit. From this beautiful perspective we could listen to the trees singing with the gentle breeze beside us, see two sandhill cranes fly over the barn, feel the sun on our backs,…
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In the last six months the horses have invited me into a deep space of connection. It began with a few injuries over the winter which led to an equine massage therapist coming here for some sessions with the horses. Then this summer, after feeding the horses their supplement in the barn each afternoon, I…
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This summer I’ve been reading various fantasy series which have been both a fun distraction and nourishment for my imagination. In one a prominent character or element was “the cauldron.” It was a mysterious and all powerful force, feared and revered. It stuck with me, bringing to mind magic, witches, feminine energy, the void, the…
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In hanging out with the herd lately, I’ve been reflecting on relationship. Showing up with the horses each day, just like any relationship, means exploring how to open our hearts with another. The horses offer such a clear space to reflect and experience: how can I not take things personally? Can I stay present to…
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It’s springing, if you find yourself in the Northern Hemisphere. I love experiencing the land begin its exhale of energy out from where it has gathered for winter in the belly of the earth, starting with the wildflowers on the forest floor, then up to the bushes, then all the way to the treetops. The horses…
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From my perspective, this has been a winter filled with various “problems” for the herd’s health. One lost weight, one had a bacterial hoof issue, one tweaked something in his hind leg while playing, one had a choking incident, one felt depressed and withdrawn, all have had gastrointestinal issues. I have had a lot of…
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Solstice greetings. It’s the end of 2023, almost the shortest day of the year and longest night. A time of completions, contemplations, and reflections in the midst of gatherings, celebrations and traditions. The dark time of year, and the quiet time. Nature’s way. As part of nature, we have a rhythm within us as well….
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I call Levi my “heart horse,” a term that horse people use to describe a profound human-horse connection. Truthfully, I adore all of our animals. Yet Levi continues to be the horse that leads me into a deeper relationship with myself, and therefore my heart. He keeps taking me to my edge, unveiling the power…
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I grew up in South Carolina riding horses. I’ve worked various jobs in government, nonprofits, and start-ups. I’ve lived in Boulder, Colorado; Washington, DC; Bloomington, Indiana; New York City; Chicago, IL; and finally here I am, a Michigander. In 2018 my best friend died from cancer. Six months later I found myself depressed, stuck, and…
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Horses getting furry, daylight waning, crisp leaves fluttering back to ground. With the weather change comes the end of Inner Freedom’s first season, and what a beautiful first season it has been! When I launched this heart offering in May of this year it was only a tiny seedling, and it still feels like that…
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During a friend’s recent visit we had a few hours to be with the horses. We went into the pasture to relax with a few tarot/ oracle card decks for fun, including one deck called “Touched By a Horse” by Melisa Pearce. As we were observing the herd and pulling cards the recently arrived burro,…
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Sitting in the pasture, feeling into the space that the herd lives in, listening to the late summer cricket chorus and the breeze move the leaves in the trees. Following up on the arrival of the mare and burro from my last newsletter, when I opened the gates to let the mare and burro out with…
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Ever since I started dreaming about Inner Freedom l’ve been dreaming about a mare. In a herd of wild horses it’s generally an older female, or mare, that leads the herd. We hear a lot about wild stallions and how powerful they are, and that’s true; yet the stallion is often pushing the herd in…
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Question: Is this therapy with horses? Answer: This is a question people ask me when I share what I’m exploring through my offerings with Inner Freedom. While many people, myself included, find Equine Guided Empowerment® therapeutic, I am not a mental health practitioner or therapist, so no, this is not therapy. Out of curiosity, I…
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The pause. That feeling when things aren’t moving, options feel exhausted, forcing isn’t working. Perhaps uncomfortable emotions like frustration, anxiety, anger, sadness, grief, or rage arise in reaction to not getting “our way.” Does this resonate with you? It’s possible that I may not have really noticed this pattern in myself before a few years…
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Recently I had a chance to see the film 32 Sounds (Sam Green, 2022). It was a profound exploration of what sound is, and a shake-up to my sense of hearing. The composer Annea Lockwood is featured in the film, and one of her reflections centers on the idea of “listening with” as opposed to…
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I was talking with a friend recently about the cultivation of my heart offering, Inner Freedom LLC, and the sharing of it with other people. In this discussion my friend asked, “what do horses have to do with inner freedom, and just what is inner freedom?” Great question! While it’s an experience and paradigm and…
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In a recent workshop I attended, the teacher invited us into an “I don’t know” meditation. For ten minutes, eyes closed, repeating slowly out loud, “I don’t know.” To every sensation, thought, emotion feeling, any passing awareness – I don’t know. At first it felt weird and uncomfortable to me. Then I felt tension release…
Events
Testimonials
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Our time spent with Elizabeth at Inner Freedom was spacious, healing, and enlightening. The farm is bright and beautiful, and the way Elizabeth holds space is deeply nourishing. The practices Elizabeth guided us through were an invitation to return to our essence, to connect with the earth, our bodies, and, of course, the powerful, gentle horses. Ever since visiting, I’ve found myself returning again and again to Elizabeth’s words, guidance, and simple practices for tuning in and connecting. Deeply grateful for Inner Freedom’s invitation to return to my senses, and experience my partnership and the present more fully, from a grounded, embodied place.
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I've been reflecting on the powerful experience we shared last weekend, the phrase ‘claim your space’ really resonated with me as I see its application in so much of my life, in addition to walking from the core with confidence. The power and majesty of connecting and partnering with horses on the ground speaks to me perhaps more than riding them. I loved the space we shared.
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Thank you again for the beautiful, healing experience that you created. You have a tremendous gift. Your gentle invitation to connect more deeply with ourselves, and then with the horses and back to ourselves, made a palpable change in my energy and state of mind. Your horses are healers, and you are a healer and you are doing great work.