First time in the saddle

This month's reentry nature outing took us to High Horse Malibu for riding lessons. Most of the group had never been on a horse. We started on a hillside with mountains all around and the ocean in the distance, and LT Reentry Leader John opened with a meditation to help everyone settle in.

We split into two groups of six. While one group rode, the other stayed up top painting and trading stories. Much of the lesson was about building trust with the horses, which pick up on human stress and body language. That sensitivity is part of why horses are used in some PTSD therapy programs.

The day brought the group closer, to each other and to the horses. Participants DeShawn and Marquette left saying they want horses of their own someday.