Cowgirl Yoga™ Equine Coaching

“You are a strong woman!” It was my first time in the round pen. I knew I loved horses and I was very comfortable around them, even ridden plenty of times in my 58 years. But this time, I was only to use my energy to communicate with this amazing, beautiful, 1,000+ lb. animal.

Chris, 1/5

“Just be honest, just be clear. The horse will understand.” I was doubtful, and I didn’t trust myself. Could I be clear about what I wanted? Even if what I wanted was to collaborate? I hadn’t been able to do that in my own marriage, let alone with a creature whom I respected, but who didn’t know me from Adam.

Chris, 2/5

I was timid, tentative - but pretending to be “tough”, acting like “I have this!” Buzzer! Fail! The horse saw right through me. He slowed down and looked at me, and with those gorgeous eyes and so much as said, “seriously? What are we going to do here?”

Chris, 3/5

Then through my confusion I heard Margaret say, “You’ve got this! You are a strong woman! Just tell him what you want to do. Use your strong energy - you can do it!” I took a deep, grounding breath, found my core and “wow!” The glint in his eye flashed and off he went left, then I sent him right and together we went right!

Chris , 4/5

I was blown away! My face flushed, and tears welled in my eyes. My chest swelled and I felt it, like never before! “I am a strong woman! We CAN do this TOGETHER!” I found ME in that round pen!

Chris, 5/5

Being the type of person that would rather throw her arms around the neck of a horse or give big kisses to their noses, the purpose of the round pen session initially escaped me. My idea of the horse-human connection was grooming, feeding, riding and of course lots of love.

Anne, 1/3

However, as I watched Margaret demonstrate, I became curious. Was this because it was Margaret? Or could any of us convey this special type of energy to not only lead the horse from the middle of the pen, but then to turn and walk away from him and have him follow? When she asked who wanted to try, my hand eagerly went up.

Anne, 2/3

As I walked into the pen I quickly realized that not only was it the human energy, it was equally the horse energy and the energy created between the two of us. There was more respect, love and grace in that pen than I ever thought could be. I felt totally in tune to the moment, to the lesson and to that sweet, sweet boy.

Anne, 3/3

I attended at a difficult time in my life. I was grieving and emotionally very fragile. I’m a life-long lover of horses, but over the years raising my family in suburban New York, their presence had nearly disappeared from my life. I was drawn to Montana, and to Margaret, to experience something truly extraordinary.

Kathy, 1/4

In the round pen, Margaret demonstrated the technique of “joining up” with a horse. Each of us had the opportunity to work with a horse, individually. Without giving away exactly what happens in the round pen, I will say that it was one of the most emotionally powerful experiences of my life.

Kathy, 2/4

Margaret gently guided me through my session with the horse, encouraging me to confidently establish leadership of him. The moment that horse walked toward me and chose to follow me was like a ray of light that both broke me into a million little pieces and put me back together again, all in the same tearful moment.

Kathy, 3/4

I have Margaret to thank for reintroducing me to the healing energy of horses and to the joy they have always brought me. In the 7 months since that retreat, I have made horses a part of my everyday life.

Kathy, 4/4

The round pen session was surprisingly one of my favorite parts of my time at Cowgirl Yoga. I say surprisingly because I had completely down played what it was and didn’t know what I was going to get out of it.

Malia, 1/3

The round pen gives you a chance to not only connect with such beautiful horses, but it also allows you feel in control and to go inward - to stop and take inventory of your body, your breath, your feelings, and your stress levels.

Malia, 2/3

As someone who struggles with anxiety, I wasn’t successful right away in the pen but once I took a deep breath, listened to Margaret, and relaxed my body I felt so at ease, one with the horse, confident and grounded.

Malia, 3/3

Did you ever wonder how a person gets a horse to listen, without a halter or lead or lunge line, in a round pen? Well, I always thought it was some magical thing which only happened on YouTube. Turns out it IS a magical thing...a relationship of understanding and respect between you and the horse.

Jennifer, 1/2

Simply put, you and the horse communicating together about what is to be done and how to be accepted into his herd and his head…come join Margaret as she teaches you how to be in motion with the horse while staying on the ground.

Jennifer, 2/2

Merely thinking about my round pen experience, my heart swells and my eyes tear up. In a graceful way, it simultaneously broke me down and built me back up. It taught me so much about myself and the genuine connections we make with horses. I walked away feeling stronger, trusting, confident, gentler, kinder, and filled with hope.

Cynthia, 1/2

The moment the horse followed me I felt connected, grounded, and settled in his presence. These feelings previously had been lost in me. Thank you for an entirely new feeling in a truly safe and supported space. It was infused with love, trust, and honesty. Refreshed my soul and we created joy-beauty-power together.

Cynthia, 2/2

The groundwork was one of my favorite parts of the retreat. It was the first thing I did! I have always felt a connection with horses, but working with a horse in this way helped to deepen that feeling of connection in a new way.

Colleen, 1/2

It was incredible to see my own energy reflected back to me in the way the horse was behaving. Once he felt that I was calm, he began to do what I asked him to do. The coolest part was that I didn’t say a word. We stayed connected, and as long as I didn’t break it, I knew he trusted me to do what I asked. It was truly an incredible experience! I came back as myself, which I didn’t realize I had lost.

Colleen, 2/2

I have always been one of those occasional riders...camp growing up, weekend destination rider, special occasion rider…but, always having a love/fear relationship with these big, beautiful creatures that I could never quite control. I can’t explain why, but I always felt like something in my soul was longing to connect with a horse, but truthfully I wasn’t even sure what that meant.

Michelle, 1/2

Standing in the round pen face to face, eye to eye...movement by movement…a horse and I became one. I wish I could fully describe how in those final moments in the pen, when you turn your back and walk away, there’s this sense of the unknown…until you feel this big, beautiful, majestic creature walking toward you until its head is nestling by your side. I may have laughed or cried…or both! I did that…I created that connection…truly unbelievable!

Michelle, 2/2