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EQUINE SOMATIC PATHWAYS™

Discover how your nervous system and body shape connection. Learn to read, regulate, transform, and relate through the relational clarity horses offer - so you can shift patterns in yourself, your relationships, and the clients you support.

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Foundations, March 2026 Cohort (Certification Track)

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Meet Cara

Years ago, I left a corporate executive career at its peak because I knew there had to be more; more feeling, more connection, more joy.

I’m a psychotherapist, coach, mother of two, and a devoted student of relationships (including a marriage of two decades). Horses led me on a search to to discover what was actually happening non verbally in our equine partnerships.  I knew there was more to the story but was amazed to find out how much more.  In equine work, I’ve watched clients transform anxiety and trauma by listening to the body, human and horse, and letting the nervous system lead.

Equine Somatic Pathways is my way of sharing that work: practices and interventions that slow us down, orient, notice, and respond. When we bring curiosity into relationship with horses, our old protective strategies loosen, and new possibilities for safety and connection open.

If you want the longer story and practices to begin with, you can read more here.

Words From This Community

 “Through this work, horses can stay present without dropping into survival mode. It brings us closer while keeping them safe.”

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“This training helped me understand how to support clients while honoring horses at liberty.”

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“The emotional depth of this work was unexpected but gentle - never forced, always aligned with what my system needed.”

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“This course shifted my relationship with myself in profound ways. I learned to slow down, feel, and trust my body again.”

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Why This Approach

Nervous-system-led

Trauma Informed. We begin with regulation and stay with what’s true now.

Relational 

Consent, boundaries, and choice are central for horses and humans.

Practical & humane

Clear steps you can take to support change without force or performance.

What people say

Rose, Psychotherapist

Participating in the Equine Somatic Pathways has been an enlivening experience that has deeply enriched my equine-assisted psychotherapy practice. Not only have I gained many concrete tools and knowledge to utilize in session, I have also gained a new level of confidence within myself as a practitioner. We were invited to get curious about our own somatic experiences, triggers, and growing edges, and received ample one-on-one support and feedback throughout the duration of the course. Between the readings, handouts, and demo videos, we were given a generous balance of theory and experiential integration that allowed me to tailor the education to my own learning style. I recommend this course to any equine practitioner who wants to both deepen their own relationship to horses as well as their confidence in facilitating equine work from psychotherapy to riding instruction!

Dallas, Coach 

This course was truly amazing. As an equine coach for horses and people, this course effortlessly wove together complex theories and practices in a seamless and applicable way. It provides a unique opportunity to learn directly from a highly-skilled therapist with extensive knowledge and a heart-centered approach. In addition, this course is personally transformative, allowing for deeper awareness of self and triggers. Feeling safe and held throughout the journey allowed for profound vulnerability and growth. One on one sessions with Cara and the sacred container of a supportive class were invaluable. So grateful for this opportunity! Highly recommend this course to any horse person, but especially coaches.

Sara, Psychotherapist

As a psychotherapist, I found Cara’s course in  Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to be deeply transformative, both personally and professionally.  It was challenging to paint a picture of how deep and mind-blowing the connections I made through the course. Each week I left with a swirling brain full of connections and new ways of seeing. Each week, the modules introduced core concepts, with a perfect blend of theoretical and practical information that helped me understand and engage with the material. This EAP course allowed me to understand somatic, attachment, and relational principles on a whole different level, and I left each session feeling energized and excited to reflect upon, and try out, the experiential exercises. Cara provides excellent scaffolding on this meaningful journey, with clear explanations of complex concepts, specific ways to apply learning with clients, and reflective journal prompts to process and synthesize the ideas. This course deepened and expanded my work with clients, by opening my mind to new ways of seeing and evoking therapeutic relating and growth

Sarah, Psychotherapist

My two geldings invited me into their mutual grooming session and my heart just melted. They made a little triangle with me, and it was incredible to be brought in with such warmth.

Rachel, Trainer and Coach

I have done a lot of these trainings, a lot!  This course is really well done, it’s so good.

Jacqui, Psychotherapist, International EAP Instructor and Clinical Supervisor

One of the top trainings I’ve taken since 2011.

Monica, Coach

Cara’s invitations into somatic attunement helped me move out of my thinking brain and into my feeling body - something I had been craving in other trainings.

Sarah, Psychotherapist

 The things that you teach us in the course are just so beautiful.  I love that we can connect with our horses in a way that feels so safe not just for us but for the them.  They can feel like they can be present with us and they dont have to go into flight or fight.  I appreciate everything you are teaching us because it brings us closer.

Alaina, Psychotherapist

“I learned to listen to horses’ gestures and use my own to communicate. Seeing how these gestures support client healing was incredible.”

Individual experiences vary; outcomes depend on context, scope, and practitioner skill.

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