by Debra Bokur
The brown-eyed rogue nuzzling me behind the ear weighs around 1,500 pounds and has clearly never shaved, which is perfectly fine with me. His name is Sequoia, and our relationship is progressing nicely, due mostly to the fact that I’ve found the exact spot on his neck where he likes to be scratched.
Sequoia is part of the herd of horses that live in the wide meadows of the Home Ranch in Clark, Colorado, where I’ve come to participate in the Experience Yoga & Horses retreat. Set amidst 15,000 acres of premier countryside in the Elk River Valley, the ranch is comprised of a sprawling, comfortable main lodge, cabins, and various barns.
My first morning begins with a two-hour yoga session led by equestrian and yoga expert Janice Baxter. She gives us each a chart showing how the chakra system applies to the body of a horse, which proves to be very enlightening.
All of us, including Baxter, head out for an afternoon of riding with Tammy Pate, who is not only an accomplished yogi herself, but also a life-long cowgirl and professional equestrian. Pate circulates among us, reminding us of the importance of our breath and encouraging us to use our yoga-fueled awareness to communicate silently with our horses. My senses are heightened as I move in rhythm with the beautiful animal carrying me, and I realize I am fully, completely present in the moment. An hour or so into our ride, we cross a wide valley. Wind moves toward us from the slopes above, and our horses slow to a soft walk. We ride without speaking, listening as the sound rushes through the aspen groves surrounding us. This is moving meditation at its very best.
Days typically begin with morning yoga lasting anywhere from one and a half to two hours, followed by a delicious and hearty brunch. Next, it’s off to the barn to saddle up. Most rides are preceded by mounted participants putting their yoga practice to work while in a large, fenced riding arena, where Pate might lead riders through choreographed patterns.
Both Baxter and Pate lead with exceptional grace and kindness. The staff of massage therapists at the ranch includes Mary Cain, CMT, who gave me a restorative therapeutic massage that actually relieved the screaming of my long-unused riding muscles.
For me, the biggest gift was an opportunity to disconnect with my own horse-related past, which was based on winning competitions and collecting trophies. The non-competitive nature of yoga enabled me to simply enjoy the experience of being on the back of the horse. And, as any cowgirl worth her boots can tell you, the view from there is nothing short of magical.
For rates and specific dates for 2009 retreats, call (970) 879-1780 or visit www.homeranch.com
September/October 2008
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