Lessons from the Wild Ones

by Kelsey Karys

Lesson from wild horses #2: Sometimes you have to close your eyes in order to see

At Wild Horse Sanctuary with a band of wise and inspiring humans from Anna Twinney Holistic HorsemanshipI was assigned a curious yearling named Moon. At first we were to just be with our horses, getting to know them for the first time. I observed Moon’s bright eyes, his boldness to stick his nose over the fence, his playfulness in his water bucket. When we reconvened as a group, Anna asked who had closed their eyes to just “feel” their horse… that was the first hint that this week would be more… and a little different… than I had bargained for. Four years ago I might have instinctually closed my eyes to “feel” my horse, find his soul and see what my eyes couldn’t see. It was seeing without my eyes in visions and words that led me to pursue my Master’s of Divinity. But the irony of seminary, I was warned ahead of time, is that it is the place where faith goes to die. That didn’t turn out to be completely true, but I haven’t closed my eyes much any more. Those three years fed the deeply analytical, logical, scientific part of my brain, while leaving a heart that once didn’t blink an eye at the dead being raised, starving. I have had nights where I vaguely feel my heart grieving a loss of faith and closeness with Holy Spirit, replaced by skepticism and critique. And though I am no longer in the seminary environment, I learned to live almost entirely in that brainy part of me as a convenient self defense against heart connection, which I have learned often hurts and disappoints. It took only to day 2 for me to hit a wall and find that all my brain power could not get me through the week. Outside circumstances were threatening to prevent me from returning to the clinic the rest of the week, and I could not for the life of me figure out how to fix it. I broke, and though I think few saw it, I cried more tears that day than I have in years. The wonderful Liz Juenke saw the tears and warmly provided the solution that I couldn’t have seen, allowing me to stay at the sanctuary for the rest of the week. I let go of all the other things I had planned to accomplish that week, and determined to just be present and open. The idea popped into my head to start making blindfolded drawings of the horses for each of the participants, an exercise that I find fun and people usually enjoy the whimsical drawings that result. And thus, I began to close my eyes again. I saw each one of our yearlings, and each of my peers. I saw the lessons that each one had to teach me: gratitude, patience, passion, love, determination, grit, faith… Moon began to respond differently too. As I opened my heart to him, he opened his to me, and we bridged a gap of several feet that for the first few days I could only reach with a pole. He let me in close and allowed me to rub his face, then his neck, his chest, his withers, and his sides. Sitting in stillness with him, I began to see far beneath his surface. I saw his youthful innocence, his willingness to learn an entirely new way of life, his slight apprehension about the future, and his dream for green grass, which I later learned comes from having to forage for limited food during our drought when he, his sister, and his mom wandered too far from where food is plentiful in the sanctuary. When I closed my eyes I began to see what Anna Twinney was calling God winks, divine beauty and divine connections that lay just under the skin of every one of the horses, humans, Carl the dog, and even the turkeys that graced us with their company.

Kelsey and Moon

Welcome to ROTH, Mary-Ladd Watts!

This little tater sprouted in SC’s zip code 29307 and has always carried an unlimited affinity for all creatures big and small. Growing up, when asked the ever daunting, “What do you want to do with your life?” She was 100% sure she wanted to be a horse and practiced every day galloping around on her four appendages learning to buck, rear, and jump. She feels blessed to have been introduced to horses and nature’s front door at an early age, and her heart knew she was destined to be near the footfall of equines.

Her first love was a Quarter Horse mare who taught her an abundance of valuable lessons. The most important being friendship; a mentorship that lasted for almost three decades. Mary-Ladd’s high energy and determination, and maybe just a quarter of obstinance, had a strong influence in her pursuit of becoming both a middle school teacher and English professor adjunct. She has always been compelled to help people and animals through her compassionate and tender nature. She holds a high heart for the wit of words; Shakespeare is her English idol.  She holds a BA in English concentrated in creative writing and Masters to Teach Secondary English.

Later, she fell into an unbreakable passion for fitness when teaching group exercise classes at a local gym. Through her journey of wellness, she has become a certified therapeutically-orientated yoga instructor with soon to be 800 hours of training, holds her Reiki 1 and 2 attunements, and currently is working through the Reiki Master process. Mary-Ladd has a plethora of group fitness certifications as well and cannot go long without teaching RPM, BODYPUMP, BODYFLOW, or Yoga. These passions encouraged her to become a certified IIN Holistic Health Coach and to receive her NASM personal trainer certification.

While Mary-Ladd has worked in diverse environments, the ones surrounded in animals were always where she felt at home. She believes that laughing and the great outdoors hold the best exercise means and mood boosters, but loving and taking care of animals is her therapy. She is pretty sure she could not go a day without a good coffee kick, jammin’ out to some great tunes, teasing her family and friends, or snuggling with her critters. Mary-Ladd and her husband, Joe, live on a small farm with horses and dogs . . . for now, and she could not be more excited about becoming a new member of the ROTH team. One of her biggest beliefs has always been that animals deserve a voice and that this voice is meant to be heard and shared. She is grateful for this new expedition and experience and is humbled by the work being accomplished here at the ROTH farm in NC. She fits right in. 🙂

Welcome, Mary-Ladd! We are excited to see you grow your future with ROTH!

“Haste Makes Waste” by Betty Berry

SUMMARY OF THE 2020 ANIMAL COMMUNICATION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

After attending the 2-day introductory class on animal communication, I felt better prepared to take the next step of going deeper into animal communication and open myself to the challenges of the mentorship program. The tier which included 12 days of in-person with Anna was amazing. I compare it to being a participant versus an auditor in a clinic with Anna. Learning the skills and having feedback instantly is very satisfying. It moves the learning curve along. Then there are the other students who bring their energies, experiences, and support to the circle. We also learn from one another and lean on one another for support in our endeavors. Understanding all the aspects in the world of animal communication is shared by Anna with integrity, compassion and grace. The experiences of connecting not only with dogs, cats, and horses but also with goats, alpacas, and chickens, and wild ones and exotic ones are truly unique and exciting. Unforgettable experiences occurred while we students were coached and shown our path moving forward by Anna’s amazing healing horses. The encouraging support keeps me on the path of learning all I can to grow personally, mentally, and spiritually as an animal communicator. Thank you, Anna.

STORY OF MY EXPERIENCES WITH THE 2020 ANIMAL COMMUNICATION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

I was fortunate to attend a 2-day Animal Communication class in Elizabeth, Colorado, at Anna Twinney’s ROTH ranch on the first weekend of March. It was an experience which awakened feelings of being more ready to going deeper into animal communication. I took the next step and signed up for the Animal Communication Mentorship program. On hindsight, the program helped me to ride out the rest of 2020 and the new normal of life with Covid.

June 1 through 6 was the start of the Mentorship program, in person with Anna in Elizabeth at her ROTH ranch. Previously, on May 19, we all met on Zoom for the first of ten live webinars with Anna. I have to say that the six days were a roller coaster ride for me; on one day I would feel like I was getting it, only to find myself on the next day like I wasn’t getting it; from having things flow to trying too hard that I blocked myself. A good example is the exercise with feeling samples of horse hair and gaining information. At the 2-day class, I flowed with the exercise and was pleasantly surprised with the mostly accurate information received. The same exercise at the in-person session, I felt I tried too hard to recreate the flow and therefore perceived information which wasn’t necessarily from the animal. The biggest learning curve: honing my skills with open questions and learning delivery.

Practice, practice, practice! I was diligent in June with three animals plus Excaliber and in July with 3 animals and the prairie dogs; I then fell by the wayside and practiced on one animal in August, two in September and October, and none in November and December. Did I need a break? Did I feel discouraged? Did I feel I was trying too hard to be accurate? My calendar shows that my life was filled with more activity as Covid restrictions lessened; did I not have the time nor energy? Physically, my body told me that it needed a lot of healing from the abuse I did to myself from 9 intense days of weeding goat head weeds and wild licorice.

As the time approached for the next 6 days of in person with Anna, not in Colorado but in Mill Spring, North Carolina, and with Covid cases increasing across the nation, it was a defining decision to make the trip. A journey of faith that it was the right decision and of gratitude for the opportunity and of hope to be safe and remain healthy. I will admit that it was different to be in North Carolina and not familiar Colorado, that the energy felt different in a strange location, and that upon returning, I felt a sensation of a time warp. Upon reflection, perhaps communicating with exotics in Costa Rica and a lost animal on Kauai turned into a kind of time travel. Goldie’s communication made a huge impact and epiphany upon waking up the next morning. I had to journal the moment of epiphany and was late for class! Here is my journal entry:

Anna had intended to bring Aria as one of the horses for Animal Communication, but apparently she declined; so Anna brought in Goldie. When I saw her, I told Anna that Goldie was the horse in my dream the night before my trip to Mill Spring. While Goldie was being put in the Round Pen by Aniela, I described to Anna my life as a pie: HTA, Reiki, Animal Communication, miscellaneous energy; rather compartmentalized. I entered the Round Pen and sat on the mounting block waiting to connect with Goldie, who appeared to be more interested in grazing than in me, until Anna asked me about what was I doing with my ancestry. As I explained that I had used Ancestry.com to start researching but wasn’t exactly enamored with the findings and had then tried National Geographic which provided more in-depth information and was planning a trip to Japan at some point to visit family homesteads, Goldie moved to me. Apparently, ancestry was being acknowledged as the topic of communication. I received from Goldie some Grounding, Chakra balance, left side of body (feminine) nudges and pokes with her muzzle. Breaths on front and back for body healing. I saw her do a front leg stomp then later a back leg stomp; not sure of right or left side – think it was right side – perhaps to balance the feminine energy with some masculine. It was a lovely experience; I thanked her verbally and with Reiki Love Lesson; but had no “Aha” moment, until the next morning as I was waking up and my mind reviewed the event. Thinking of the importance/relevance of Goldie’s session yesterday, connections revealed themselves through the fog: my dream occurring the night before my trip of 4 cows and 4 horses lead by a light colored horse with a star – very much looking like Goldie – connecting with my Ireland trip in 2017 and experiencing a shamanic journey to find my ancestry totem which revealed a great grandmother (I thought 5x removed but I didn’t really count) on my mother’s side (this was after checking and asking my paternal grandmother who answered No). However, connecting the dots of my dream of 4 cows and horses leads my memory to recall whether it’s a great grandmother 5x removed or 4. I recalled asking my grandmother, my great grandmother (#1), great great grandmother (#2), the next great grandmother (#3), and the next great grandmother (#4) who said Yes, she was my guide. She’s dressed as a female warrior – in trousers, not a kimono. She asked me to walk with her, and we started to climb up the path way to the hills while she shared with me that we are warrior people. I asked her if we could look for  Quan Yin, goddess of mercy and compassion, who was introduced to me in a shamanic healing earlier on this Ireland trip. But no luck as we were called to return from our shamanic journey. Perhaps another time, another Ireland trip. Connecting the dots because of Goldie (and Anna’s) focus on ancestry – my angelic realm – supporting me on my spiritual journey of energy healing and animal communication, I feel it comes to me from my ancestors. I am continuing the path laid out by my ancestry. I am always amazed when the Universe reveals the connections when I’m ready to receive. What an epiphany! I see my pie slices are now melding and overlapping into each other rather than compartmentalizing as separate slices with borders – I am evolving as One. Thank you Goldie and Anna.

Betty and Goldie

There was an experience which was horrifying to me and yet quite funny. It showed me an example of haste makes waste and an error in judgment to quickly communicate with an animal without going through the proper steps to connect with the right animal. It happened in the exercise where we had a choice of communication with Hermes or Saber to share aspects of the trainer’s exam of the week. I picked Hermes, thought I was connected with Hermes without going through the proper steps, received pictures and words, only to learn from Anna’s validations that I was communicating with Saber! Lesson learned — go through the proper steps to make sure I am connected with the right animal. 

There is so much that I have learned about animal communication since March. This time around the learning curve included reading between the lines. I am a literal person. It’s amazing how the conversation with an animal proceeds when I am able to read between the lines. It takes knack and skill to read between the lines and is a huge learning curve for me. The journey continues, and I will strive to hone my skills and aptitude for all things that are animal communication.

A New Nevada to Enjoy

From Elisabeth Mohr

Nevada and I would like to send a big thank you for your communication & reading session. After the insights you gave me on how Nevada wants to be treated by a human, I can tell you our partnership went to the next level.

Straight after our session I went to see her and told her I understand now and will do my very best to respect her voice. She has indeed a voice too in this relation and I promised I’ll do my best to watch for every sign of her when she wants to tell me something. Since that moment she opened up – like a flower really. Her facial expression was full of energy and connection. The relief was definitely there!

Now in our groundwork play sessions I noticed a lot of differences but the main ones are:

Almost no bucking anymore (!) this is HUGE, she understands that if she is on a turnout or in the pasture she can do whatever she wants but when we are together doing something I want her to respect me because I made it clear I respect her, if she does buck I read it now clearly as a sign of confusion but it has reduced dramatically and this makes me very happy and optimistic for the riding part. After all, I want to be safe.

Attention: she knows perfectly when something is expected from her. It is like she understands now that I understand her role is equally important in this relation and with that, there comes the responsibility to it, and she takes it! She is very on cue, waiting clearly for a question, being polite, and check in on me, even more, to make sure we’re on the right track. I also let her make suggestions on what we should do that day and make sure I end my sessions with something she loves to do such as jumping barrels or a walk in the woods.

Exploring: you emphasized frequently Nevada needs exploration time – so when we walk somewhere, whether it is a forest walk or simply from the stable to the arena, I let her take her time and sniff around when she wants to. I noticed I was a terrible human for her in this area because I was thought that when she stops to sniff she is disobedient – and in some cases, it could be indeed a ‘testing’ of leadership – but in her case it is not, she genuinely wants to know what this bucket or pole or tree is about. So I let her. Since I’ve been giving her space and time to do this and respect her need (that is what is important here) she is much easier to walk around with and relaxes faster if we encounter something new or strange. Very nice progress and again positive when we should go out for a ride instead of a walk in the future. 

Focus on me & RELAX: as described in the attention section: the focus is there and I definitely see a behavioral change to her ‘old’ self when someone else is handling her e.g. when my instructor is taking over if he wants to demonstrate something (and he is a very gentle horse minded guy that I trust) She is much more heads up and falls back into that role of bracing and tension because the ‘agreement’ I’ve made with her is not made with that person and she KNOWS. It is of course very flattering to see a much more respecting and relaxed horse when she is with me 🙂 She also looks me for if I’m not close and when working at liberty she hooks on directly. And on the relaxing topic: now she is comfortable to relax with me: it takes much less time to get the soft eye, soft neck, soft head. Something we have been working on very hard but she was braced because she didn’t feel understood – now she does and it shows in her tolerance of ‘surrender’ to me. She feels safe enough with me to lower the head and almost fall asleep. Something that would have taken ages in the past is now done by simply connecting and having the bond.

She benefits now from Crown and Heart Chakra massage and she is now open to give in to that energy. So I often build in a shiatsu session with her to loosen up that pelvis and treat the two mentioned Chakras. 

I could go on Anna, for hours writing. The bottom line is: THANK YOU for reaching out 😉 so I could reach out to my horse properly and take our connection to the next level! 

I have just finished you Beyond the Barn Volume I which was perfectly complementary to the advice you gave. Volume II is on its way to Belgium.

Wishing you a nice day and all the best to your loved ones. 

The Aha Moment for Me

From ROTH Trainer in NY, Sara Vanecek:

Notes from our communication session between Pippin and Anna Twinney
(and an Aha! Moment for me) Pippin showed Anna how very specific we are when we work with him. There is a very certain way we do things with him. There are no interruptions and no “strangers “. He has not been ready to have a second person approach him on the “other side” while held or led. But the cool part for me was how he showed Anna his love of reaching for “food”. It was a “reset.” His reach acts as a reset! I can feel it, but couldn’t put a word. Physically and mentally, it tells me he’s back and present and engaged again. It’s the softest request and a beautiful touch. It reconnects us after pressure, fear, or being startled.  

I also consulted with my friend and mentor to help prepare Pippin for his first trim of his feet. This will require him to be sedated and most likely to be laid down. Our goal is to prepare him as much as possible to keep him safe with the least amount of trauma, given his significant fear of handling his feet and any close presence of people. He’s a long way off from a traditional trim. With his permission to share so that we may show and help others, these are a few more thoughts that were shared through my session with Anna.

He knows what is coming and that he will be lying down. He viewed this as a one-time experience, “not a new way!” It was important for us to know that he did not kick to hurt, just to get away or get his foot back. He was very skeptical of vets. It doesn’t matter “how they are”. He knew we would try to control the sound, feeling, and quantity of time during the process, but it wouldn’t change his ability to cope. He showed Anna he was lying down in his stall, the trim was “minor”. We were calm, not rushed, and we held space for him. He knew I didn’t want his teeth done (I am worried it would be too much) and he commented several times that our intention was “casual”. I understand that as I want my team to go with the flow, do what’s safe, respectful, and reasonable. I’d like us to adjust our actions the best we can for him. He was certain of no panels or chutes for restraint,  this means abuse to him. He knows I want to share his story to have an educational and positive impact on others.  There is “nothing I can’t share because he is protected by me”.💓  It’s a learning process for me too. Trimming day is near. 🙏 the support is wonderful and keeps us moving forward. Again, thank you, Anna.

The Saga of Sage

Sage came to us on one of our foal gentling courses,

and she was tiny, orphaned, and quite helpless.  However, Ruby Sage had a warrior spirit that was palpable and we knew that if she was provided the right environment, she would ultimately flourish and grow into the spectacular horse she was destined to become.  As she got bigger, she began to find her place in her own herd of four.  It was Sage and the boys; headed up by herd leader, Dillon, and including her two sibling brothers, Saber and Hermes. To say that she learned to play rough would be an understatement.  She grew up as the ultimate tomboy, a persona that eventually evolved into the warrior princess that she is today. Most of you will recall that we had intended to colt start her this year, but due to a traumatic injury that she sustained this spring, our plans for her were nearly thwarted altogether.  We were patient and diligent in her care. Our intern at the time, Safia, took painstaking care of her leg and continued to doctor it daily along with several others who popped in to provide support.  Along with Young Living Oils, Dynamite products, and the Bemer blanket, Sage was on the road to recovery and things were looking up again for our little filly. In August of this year, we all held our breaths as we loaded her on a trailer to drive her all the way across the country to our new home in the south.  For those of you familiar with the stresses of trailering, we were concerned that Sage might suffer a setback after having to bear so much weight on her injured leg for that many hours in a row.  But she surprised us all when she came off the trailer spunky as ever and in great shape.  We all breathed a deep sigh of relief as our girl’s leg had itself made the final leg of our recent life journey to North Carolina. We wanted to offer you all a newsletter dedicated to Sage, to all of those who stood by her and us with your generous donations of time, money, healing in person and distance Reiki, and all the hands-on care that she received as she fought so valiantly to make her way back to being the vibrant little filly we all know and love. If you are one of the dear souls who touched Sage’s life (and ours) with your generosity in ANY way, we want to thank you and honor you for your commitment to her and to us.  We are so fortunate to have the people in our tribe that we do and we want to let you all know that we could not have done this without you. Thank you for saving our Ruby Sage! 

I asked for my birthday in April that our girl would return home to us and it was made possible by the generosity of all involved: those who donated, my family, and by the phenomenal care of the veterinarians at Littleton Large Equine Hospital in CO.   This marked the beginning of Sage’s journey to recovery.  As she returned home, we had to figure out the best way to support her medically while keeping the rest of her herd nearby so that she wouldn’t panic and reinjured herself.  Given the nature of her grave injury, we did suffer a couple of small setbacks when sutures refused to hold and her laceration would open once more, but each time we responded promptly and holistically, to support her healing journey as best we could, and it turns out that our approach was second to none.  Sage healed better and more quickly than any could have imagined or predicted and for that, we are grateful!

Selfless Safia and her Sustaining Efforts

As we had been all along, we relied on Safia to be at the forefront of Sage’s care.  She provided not only additional caretaker duties in terms of now filling buckets and stall cleaning a couple of times a day, but she also attended to all of Sage’s supplements and medicines, and all of her complementary therapies.  Safia’s already full schedule left little to no room for additions, but she selflessly stepped up and spent many an early morning and late-night taking the very best care of Sage.  Safia was an integral part of Sage’s healing until we got her to North Carolina, and for her, we are grateful!  We know that the journey for Safia was at least as long as Sage’s, and the exhaustion was no doubt extreme, but she kept on and lit the way for hope to follow as we marched, mile after mile, toward our new home.

Sage Supplies Schooling at a Master Level

One of the hardest-hitting factors of this injury was that we weren’t sure if Sage would ever be able to be ridden.  Just before her injury, she had been slated to go into Colt Starting for the year and we were looking so forward to gentling her so that we could include our little girl on trail rides and at family events and clinics.  But the injury not only halted any progress in that direction, it nearly abolished any hope that we would ever get there, even in her lifetime!  We were so pleasantly surprised to see her return to good health and her ability to freely go back into her herd signaled the beginning of the possibility that Sage might be able to start under saddle once more.  We figured that racing through the pasture and running amok with her siblings meant that she was feeling well and solid enough to return to the path onto which her destiny had brought her. We are not pleased to report, but rather BEAMING to report, that Sage was included in our Trainer’s Week here in Mill Spring.  This week and the work included paved the way for her return to colt starting.

Sage Starts Under Saddle

I cautiously recalled the first time she went under saddle in the round pen  at Zuma’s nearly a year ago.  There was some squealing, a lot of running and bucking, and some tears on my part as I knew that my girl was scared of the saddle that was secured around her portly little barrel.  I took a deep breath as moments throughout this year flashed in my mind: from the cold night of the accident and the harried trailer ride to save her life, the hours upon hours and days upon days of seeing her confined to a stall for her own good, the numerous bandage changes, the blood, the evaluations of the injury site and whether or not we were making progress, the anxious journey across the U.S. to finally unload her at our new home in NC, all the way to holding my breath as I watched her run with her herd for the first time but feared the injury might reopen, each memory seemed to combine and pass through me as though a cool breeze. All of those moments, all of those fears, hopes, wishes, and tears, every single one of them, brought us to this very moment right now. And right now, I mindfully watch her eye as I ask permission to mount.  I slowly, as if moving through oil, slide my leg over her back and softly sit down into the tack.  I find my stirrups and press my heels way down.  I sit with my tail bone curled under to maintain my balance, waiting for the buck and the move into pressure, but this time Sage does none of that.  Instead, she breathes deeply, looks off into the distance, and softly licks her lips as she maintains a relaxed demeanor as if to say, “I’ve been waiting for this too.”  And then I see her look for her herd to see if they are watching and to make sure that they note this very important day in her young life as well.  Indeed, noses lined up along the adjacent fence, her herd supports her from a distance as I’m sure they are cheering in their hearts as am I.   This was a moment of true connection, true collaboration, and pure triumph as we went from the beginning of 2020, having a horse with a potentially life-ending injury and certainly a career-ending one, to this moment at the end of 2020, one manifested through hope, surrender, many prayers, and brought to full fruition through the goodwill of people.  Thank you for making my first ride on Sage possible.  To everyone who has supported us along the way: WE MADE IT!

We got an enocuraging and beautiful note from ROTH Certified Trainer, Carolina Bartsch of AZ and wanted to share…

Anna,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting all the pieces together. What a journey! I was wondering for a while about her journey – I knew only pieces here and there. The way you wrote this newsletter… it all comes together. This one story reminds me of how much persona and destiny comes with each of our animals to weave the tapestry of life together with us. My life already has received many more colours thanks to your guidance but this is one of the most memorable lessons of all.

With love,

Carolina

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Fondly Featuring Fozzie

“May I write your story down” I share with Fozzie after some time as I’m concerned I will not be able to retain all that he shares accurately.  For this little fellow is so very endearing.  His eyes pull you in and there is some degree of sadness that I felt initially surrounding his health condition.  It will have slipped away in time, but at the beginning, it touched me deeply.  Young at heart, young in spirit, or young in general was the overall feeling ~ a youthful appearance and sense about him.   I need not worry that I may need to be the messenger of his welfare news, for he knew.  Perhaps because the class had already connected and perhaps he knew all along.  He is in the hearts of individuals and has a great appreciation for them.  Knowing that he requires special care and appreciating the hand they have put forward to help him.   

He is aware of the plight of the sloth.  So many pictures shot through my head.  From them being rescued by people passing by, locals (although I know problems occur equally as much locally too).  He showed them on the ground being picked up and even placed in new locations.  Removed from roads, helped in the sand, beaches were shown.  Traffic accidents, pylon accidents…orphans… it goes on.  So many sloths needing the support it seems.  Could be that this has been mentioned in his vicinity and I do believe this is a reference to the fact that he too was helped, that someone had noticed and because of their awareness he received the medical support needed.  No accident, injury, attack mentioned at all, but certainly a difference in his demeanor and hence it appeared like he would have been helped by someone who recognized it was out of sorts for a sloths behavior.

The sanctuary is a place he calls home now, it’s safe to him.  Expecting to change enclosures or having changed enclosures, not one location on the sanctuary would be his home.  He shows several locations and all to be cozy.  Once again appreciating the human interaction, the support.  It seems that touch is welcomed and not resisted.  No fight or displeasure but the contrary. Despite the fact you will keep them as wild and not interact as pets or otherwise, he sees value in the interactions.  Cozy, warm, dry…all places have that in common.  The warmth of someone’s body, the proximity, the connection has played a role in his comfort and in turn his healing.  The blankets, in a multitude of colors, from the green in the picture, pink comes to mind too that he can see. Colorful blankets around. Hammocks, toys, branches, warmth.  The sound of the rain touching the roofs and the sense of rain surrounds him, the shiny leaves reflecting the rain…something soothing.  

No longer does he need to search for those special food treats, they now come to him. Several of them.  One more delicious than the other…leaves he shows and fruit colored (yellow/orange/pale pink?) items..would that be fruit, leaves, flowers in those colors?  It’s likely he prefers them and yet there will be a dietary restriction. Honey, milk gets mentioned as a form of necessary(?) desired diet.  Food is on his mind for sure.  Specific times of the day and yet available.  Briefly a syringe shoots through my mind, barely tangible ~ either he received this or has seen it being used.

He will be sheltered there, protected from the environment, from danger, people, vehicles and the medical condition he has.  The necessary vet care will be present and he shares two vets ~ a male and a female, both dark-haired.  The medical area is light and airy, it’s likely to be a little ways from where he lives.  Although knowing it’s down a pathway, he also shared the view and the height of the building.  White walls, metal table, 2 rooms, insects can be heard and probably seen despite netting they will be able to come in.  No sounds of animals in treatment and it seemed that one would be taken care of at a time. The idea not to keep them in the room, but to return them to their enclosures plays a high part and priority.  He would not stay there long, but shown he gets treated.  No incisions, no surgery that I can tell to come.  Tenderness around the lower back is highlighted on the right side.  Most areas are on the right side. This got emphasized along with the right side organs.  I wondered if it would feel like a chill in the lower back and kidneys came to mind. It wasn’t until later in the session that under the right side of the ribcage was another point of interest…this would be where the liver lies.  He is clearly aware of a condition he has and feels it’s under a close eye and thus getting the attention and care he needs to continue to survive through easily administered medical care.  A room with a view, a home full of care, and medical support all provided.  This sloth feels like he has been saved and hit the jackpot.

Because of his condition, he will be sheltered from the public.  His story to be told for educational purposes, but no interactions with them or hands-on.  He is not envisioning being the ambassador, but instead, the focus is on his healing and health with the staff that calls the sanctuary their home too.  With silence, stillness, and close-knit support, he will not be in the limelight but instead enjoy the backseat of his surroundings.  He is here to stay:)  

How nice it will be to one day visit him there with you, to spend time together once again. To end I close with some loving Reiki thoughts and Reiki share.  His gratitude apparent despite my sharing just how concerned you all are, how important it is and was to give him a voice, and how much you all put in and are committed to the mission.  Another life saved and supported.

With much love and appreciation.

Anna

Kids Saving the Rainforest sent through the following reply:

Fozzie (assessed female) was found abandoned near the beach, covered with sand and some sun damage. She was only under 2 weeks old in late 2018. 

She grew up without issue, but seemed to have a firm distended belly, even after defecation, and was found to have free fluid there during an ultrasound.  Her liver enzymes have tested abnormal for several months, and has some occasional mild jaundice, so she has been assessed as having hepatitis.  

She has been receiving various liver support medicines for several months and occasionally other medication depending on her blood test results.  

These results generally don’t improve and are never ‘normal’, but she shows no outward signs of illness (maintains good appetite, weight, normal defecation).  

She receives these treatments orally every day within her outside enclosure (dark brown liquid from a syringe) & an injection weekly (also without being moved).  It is believed that without permanent support & treatment, her condition would worsen and so she can’t live on her own.

She is within the sanctuary at KSTR, and can be seen on the public tour, and her story is told for educational purposes.  There is no direct interaction or handling of any of the animals, but if she is in her hammock near the front of the enclosure, her face can often be seen. 

Bouche’s Mysterious Death Solved as Internationally Renowned Animal Communicator, Anna Twinney, Steps In

Bouche at his home in Costa Rica

Received from Kids Saving the Rainforest: We had a very sad situation yesterday, Bouche, our scarlet macaw died.  We don’t know how or why, maybe your class can help.  He was found in his enclosure.

Dearest Jennifer,

We send our condolences for this great loss to you and all who loved and continue to love Bouche.  No passing is ever easy, no matter the situation or the circumstances and he will have been a treasured member of the Kids Saving the Rainforest family.

As our class connects there will be many beautiful messages and moments coming your way, for Bouche comes through to me right away upon connection.  There is no waiting but instead he appears and is ready to share.  Such vibrant colors to his feathers, such a bright spirit, an observant fellow and communicative individual.  Bouche shares his vibrancy, with colors and long feathers, a bright eye, and engagement.  He feels more domesticated than he would wild and seems to appreciate not only the humans in his life but those who may pass-by.    

It’s likely he has more than one place he was kept over the time you had him live with you there.  Outside amongst nature on natural-colored branches by a walkway to greet passers-by. Fresh fruit a favorite part of his diet.  Being recognized and acknowledged a must.  While he would have been outside by the path, he will have had a second place to call home too.  A place with size to move around with large feet and claws intact and a mobile beak he certainly describes how he could get around. Fresh water, climbing activities, and items to play with, around and on, would be part of the activities he had come to appreciate.

No matter where he would find himself in or outside Bouche felt safe. Safe with the outdoors, safe with the handlers, the vets, the guests, the wildlife…ultimately safety was recognized. Like a hidden village in the rainforest, KSRF had become his home.  Silent from traffic and yet full of jungle noises.  Nature was part of it all.  Space between the enclosures, fresh air, occasional breeze, and some weather changes, but ultimately a pretty steady climate he called home.  

He describes his love of the place…perhaps he had come to visit in the/a center or would have seen himself to be able to come inside with a place made for him for his versatility and socializing was a part of who he was. Although he hasn’t approached flying much, it was a brief moment where he shared flying to a tree, I don’t believe he had that ability all along. Coming here was a big part of his life, a part he treasured.

The enclosure was safe.  The doors could shut, not necessarily would all lock on the property, but shut they can.  Some wooden slides to close, some metal clasps, some locked, some would just close, he shows them all. Safe all the same.  No mention of threatening wildlife in the neighborhood and no sign of left open enclosures, broken into areas, breach of safety (as he puts it), no animals alerted of such, no animals showed it the next day either with unusual behavior, no signs of feathers on the ground while he shows himself found just there.  The environment had stayed the same, no drastic changes all around.  No change of food, no changes in general.  A routine day in paradise.  

He once appreciated interactions with people, likely some “games” and possibly training with food.  He acknowledges a special female volunteer who appreciated him and his talents. There could have been more…he would embrace it all as though it were yesterday.  A place of observation.  A place he could see the comings and goings, a primary place ~ high up and visible with lots of activity ~ even entry and exit location.  Nothing goes by him.

Age it would not be, neither a loss of appetite.  No shock or surprise, no scaring. No accident, no mistake.  No medical mishap. No wrong choice. No poisoning.  No act by man. While people would go about their business, he knew he was appreciated.  What?  He hears you wonder. And while his outer appearance is colorful and bright he indicates an internal matter.  No pain, no discomfort.  No suffering.  A sudden passing he shares…a place of no return.  Even if he had been found earlier, he doesn’t believe he could have been helped.  He had wished to go on, for there were many years ahead.  His life cut short unexpectedly.  He reassures there is nothing to worry about.  There truly aren’t too many other birds that are currently being supported there.   “Rescued” he was and so he puts it.  Much wildlife about…but nothing contagious.  This he believed came from inside.

In memory, he envisions a plaque with his name on it by his climbing frame to remember him by.  Not the caged enclosure, the outside place where people first enter.  You would speak to him clearly with a smile on your face…partial to wearing earth-tone shorts, putting your blond hair in a ponytail while having a recognizable smile on your face.  Even if lost in thoughts you would remember to speak to him or acknowledge…he remembers you fondly for all you have given him and all you do.  He gained as much freedom as you could offer here…wonder no more.  While many stood out for their needs, their species, their circumstances, some did not.  And while many were not birds, he did stand out..he stayed.  This was home.

While he may not have been able to soar high, if there was anywhere to be in the world he would have chosen exactly where he was.  Rest assured he soars high and is expanding his wings.  In gratitude.

May our message support you and those involved in providing some answers, messages, and peace.

Warmly,  Anna

RESPONSE:

You are spot on Anna!  I also saw that he passed quickly and easily and showed his gratitude to us all

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A Grateful Kind of Life

Follow along the journey of ROTH Certified Trainer, Carmen Brander, as she hears the call of the horse and follows her heart all the way!

When the opportunity presented itself to participate in a Reach Out To Horses, colt starting clinic, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.  I had a ton of questions running through my head.  Who were these ROTH people, what were these methods and would I be able to understand them, let alone apply them? My nervousness soon subsided once the clinic began as I found myself fully immersed in a comprehensive and compassionate training program.  The days were long and packed full of information, I tried to soak in as much as possible.  Although, challenging and strenuous at times; as the days came to an end, I found myself bright eyed and seeking more. I would run home beaming, to tell my partner about all the things that I had learned that day, eager with anticipation to return the next day.

Needless to say, I was hooked.

Every clinic I participated in the years to follow would shape me and push me in a way that I did not know I needed. Each horse I encountered inspired me to become more creative with my training. They challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and drove me to take a deeper understanding of who they are – who they really are.

Allowing horses to show up as they are has been one of the most rewarding and treasured gifts I have had the privilege of understanding.  Not seeking to simply “change” them but rather understand them and support them – has changed my outlook entirely.

I have gained so much from this program – more than I could ever put onto paper.  I have gained friends that I consider family, that stretch not only across the United States but all around the world. I heightened my ability to recognize and celebrate even the smallest moments.  Among all the things that I have gained through my journey with Reach Out To Horses, perhaps the most important, has been a deeper understanding of myself, with each horse as my guide and master teacher.

I am grateful for this next step in my horse career and owe so much to all the people that have helped and supported me along the way. My deepest gratitude goes to Anna, for seeing me, truly seeing me and for paving the way for the next generation of trust based, kind, compassionate horsemanship.  I am forever grateful for this tribe.

xo, Carmen 

« It feels good to remember your soul’s contract » By Safia Khider

The first time I read these words I was already an intern at Anna Twinney’s ranch. I remember thinking how lucky I was to read them and felt as if they had been written for me… I was five years old when my heart started to remember but my brain did not know what to do with it. At the time, horses would flood my mind for a reason I couldn’t comprehend as no one in my family was close to these animals. By the age of twelve I was reading all the horse magazines that I could find, my room was a horse museum, and I knew the skeleton of the horse by heart. My obsession to get close to horses pushed me to write a very naive letter to one particular French horse magazine in which I shared my sadness in not living my passion. My mum inadvertently read it before mailing it and decided then to help me. My sisters and I got riding lessons during summer time outside of town, but everything about the riding school felt opposite to what I had dreamt of up to then. I didn’t want my mum to be disappointed so I never told her anything. I would go there with a heavy heart, disliking the riding part, and only liking the time spent on the ground brushing the horses and just being with them. The way we were told to interact with horses felt wrong. I was particularly keen on getting to know this pony called “Crinière pâle” (meaning “Fair Mane”) who was extremely aggressive in his stall and highly energized once on his back. I wanted to understand why he was like that but the only response from the staff was that I needed to boss him around.

Being an animal lover, my heart broke a million times watching equines suffer from the violence inflicted on them in the streets of Casablanca in Morocco. From my bedroom window, I would watch the carriages and wonder how I could help the horses, mules and donkeys. I still have a fresh souvenir of the day I saw this grey horse pulling a carriage and in my mind I made a promise that one day I would come back to help them.

What I didn’t know is how much my writing would affect my life. After sending that letter to the French horse magazine, I wrote to the New Zealand Embassy in France because I was horrified by my latest discovery: that helicopters were killing the Kaimanawas, feral horses in New Zealand. I got a response that they would follow up on it and I started realising that writing could have an impact. I then fell in love with the incredible story of a horsewoman called Jacqueline Ripart (also an author) who had decided to observe and study feral horses in Namibia. I wrote to her and she later became a friend who introduced me to two amazing people in the horse world, who have since inspired me to follow the call of the horses: Jean Louis Gouraud, famous equine editor and writer and Saskia Machaczek, equine consultant and horse instructor/coach. I was by then mostly involved in the editing/communication business in Paris, but the little girl in me still secretly hoped to get into the world of horses to be with them. The feeling of belonging to their world had never left me but personal matters had forced me into choosing a path made of « reasonable decisions » in pursuit of a stable, financial situation. Thanks to Saskia who became my first instructor in natural horsemanship, I would get weekends with horses, either training for endurance races or just going on trails with her.

I had happy moments but I wasn’t happy or fulfilled, and my heart kept asking me the same questions « who am I? » « what is the point of all this? » « what is my purpose? »… When I shared these questions with friends thinking they too had the same queries, they would urge me to focus on what I had: a great job and an amazing boyfriend. It was all true in appearance but I knew deep down inside something was out of alignment. What started as a whisper became so loud I couldn’t shush it anymore and had to act. I knew horses would be a part of my future, I just didn’t know where to begin… The start of a new life in Morocco was also the end of my professional and personal life in Paris. Making this hard decision allowed the voice in me to speak. And from then on, it spoke louder and louder. I started working at a horse club in Marrakech and did so for almost 4 years (out of which 2 were volunteering). The drive and passion I had for horses came back a million times stronger than when I was a little girl. It was so intense, it shadowed all the other emotions I should have felt at the time, it was a clear cut from my past life. A mission in my head started to form: get the right teacher to do better by and for the horses in Morocco. That’s when the Universe orchestrated my meeting with Anna Twinney through the book « Horse as teacher », handed over by my mum, who turned out again to be one of the Universe’s gifts to put me on my path. An avid reader of anything and everything around natural horsemanship, I was already way into one particular book. Yet, as soon as I saw « Horse as teacher », I felt the urge to simply drop everything and dive into this one. Among several stories of incredible horsewomen, Anna Twinney’s stood out. Her words « giving a voice to the voiceless » touched me to the core, and her deep connection to her mustang Excalibur as well as their encounter left me breathless. Without giving it a second thought, I emailed her and again, the act of writing a letter impacted the next chapter in my life. And wonder of all wonders, she did email me back. She could not accept me as an intern unless I had had her training, which made sense to me. Because of my unstable financial situation, I simply couldn’t afford the training. I then offered to welcome her to Morocco to show her how people trained with horses. She said yes on one condition: that I would organize a demo for her to do, and I would make sure we would have the press there. We did and it was incredible to have her with her husband Vin and their child Joseph with us! Anna’s expertise combined with her kindness shone throughout her stay. I was overjoyed when at the end of it, she decided to welcome me at her ranch in Colorado as an intern for 3 months and offer me the HHC Foundation of her training (Holistic Horsemanship Comprehensive Foundation). I went there in September 2016 and it was a dream come true! What is also amazing is that I had kept a journal of what was happening a year prior to this, asking for the Universe to bring me an opportunity of studying with a teacher of her caliber in exchange for my work in the US. How amazing that again writing my wishes was proving to be so powerful!

Doing the foundation HHC of ROTH showed me the level of compassion that Anna was having with equines, which I had never experienced before. It was never about using but about collaborating, never about dominating but about inviting. A new world of possibilities had opened up in my mind, but most of all, my heart was content for the very first time. After this, Anna decided to offer me the full training up to the instructorship. Unfortunately, I was stopped at the US border and asked to get a proper visa. Anna and Vin took a lawyer and for a year and a half battled to get me a 2 year visa. In the meantime, I worked in a private stable, met my fiancé and waited impatiently for Anna’s news. When she broke the news of my coming, I was thrilled but I also knew I would be leaving behind me my family as well as my horses, cats and dogs. During these 2 years, I learned so much about myself, about my flaws and qualities, about how to be a better horsewoman. I can now say that Anna has given me skills that I can sharpen more and more if I keep putting my heart in it. I can also say that I learned that I cannot love horses or any other being on this planet if I don’t love myself. My life lesson hit me by the end of my second year when my body could not undergo any more physical work as I had demanded too much of it. I had been warned, time and time again, by everyone that I should slow down, give it some rest. But I couldn’t. It was second nature for me to just keep going. My body had to break down for me to understand that I would lose everything if I did not pause. Cutting my stay short to go back home forced me into rethinking everything: my choices, my needs, my life. It had been such an honour to be with Anna’s herd as well as with her other animals. It had been such a joy to be with Anna’s family, who felt like a second family to me, that it did break my heart to leave so suddenly. But there was no choice. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Coming back to Morocco, the words from a magnet Anna had given me are still in my head « I am far from what I once was but I am nowhere near who I am going to be. »

I don’t know what the Universe has in store for me, I just know that my focus is now on being of service to the equines in Morocco thanks to the precious knowledge I have gained.

With ROTH, Anna has helped me remember my soul’s contract, and for that, I am forever grateful!