A Different Path to Healing: Horse Healing Session with Patrick Buffalo
On March 21st, in alignment with the changing seasons, a crew of teachers and JHC staff travelled to Maskwacis to take part in a horse healing session that was more than just a gathering; it was an exploration of energy, land-based wisdom, and the quiet power of the horse spirit. Led by Patrick Buffalo and his son Mason, the day offered a rare space for collective healing that prioritized peace over the painful process of revisiting the past.
Patrick opened the session with a powerful shift in perspective. He shared his lived experience with a gentle but firm boundary: this is not a space for retraumatization. In many professional or therapeutic settings, there is an expectation to "share your story." Patrick flipped this script, his intention was to help us find peace and happiness in the present, rather than forcing us to relive the trauma of the past.
"People who have experienced trauma do not need to forgive themselves, it is not our fault. While we may wait for apologies that never come, we have the power to choose to move forward and do what we can to feel well."
One of the most striking moments was seeing the tangible shift in our energy. Patrick used a measurement tool to measure the state of our aura, providing a visual representation of how our internal and external worlds collide:
The Depleted State: Initially, many auras of the participants appeared low.
The Power of Joy: When we shifted our focus to things that bring us happiness, the measurement shifted, the object moved, showing a visible expansion of energy.
The Impact of Others: Interestingly, when someone else touched a participant, the aura appeared depleted again, a vivid reminder of how sensitive we are to the energy of those around us.
Connection with the Horse Spirit
The heart of the day was our interaction with the horses. We approached them individually, in small teams, and finally as a full group. Rather than just standing near the horses, we actively connected with them through touch, inviting the spirit of the horse to assist us with processing our difficulties and progressing forward. Participants noted how different this felt from standard "Professional Development." Being on the land and engaging with land-based knowledge—without the pressure to perform or explain—created a profound sense of safety. As one participant observed, “this is a unique offering that fills a gap other organizations often miss.”
While the spirit of the day was high, the physical environment presented its own set of challenges. Mother Nature played a role, with melting ice creating muddy terrain and poor road conditions causing several last-minute cancellations. Though our attendance was smaller than anticipated, the intimacy of the group allowed for deep, meaningful connections.
We walk away from this session with "food for thought" and a renewed commitment to providing spaces that honor the individual journey. Healing isn't always about talking; sometimes, it’s about standing in a field, breathing with a horse, and choosing to move toward the light.
A heartfelt thank you to Patrick, his son, and everyone who braved the elements to share this energy with us.
