Heart & Herd is a small group experience that pairs my workbook Say Howdy to Healing & Hope with guided exercises at the farm. Sessions are 90 minutes and include discussion, reflection, and ground-based activities (FBEAP exercises) with the horses. The focus is on healing, growing your faith, nervous system regulation, and building a healthy support “herd.”

All activities are ground-based. At this time we do not ride the horses.

Not at all. Many women who join have little or no horse experience. The exercises are designed so anyone can participate and learn.

No. We are not a licensed therapists. What we offer is a faith-based personal growth and support experience using tools from the book Say Howdy to Healing and Hope!, and guided interaction using FBEAP with the horses.

Yes! We use principles of Faith-Based Equine Assisted Philosophy (FBEAP).

At this time, Heart & Herd groups are designed for women ages 18 and older.

As Our Healing Farm grows, men’s groups may be something we explore in the future with the right structure and support.

We do not work with young children at this time.

We may also explore teen girls groups (ages 16+) in the future once the women’s programs are more established.

You don’t have to read it before joining, but participants will walk through Say Howdy to Healing & Hope during the sessions. There are reflection exercises and scripture-based homework between meetings.

You can fill out the Heart & Herd interest form on the website. When sign-ups open, you’ll receive an application and details about upcoming groups

Our Healing Farm is a ground-level property, and many activities take place outdoors. The bathroom available to participants has a 32-inch door opening.

Because the experience takes place on a working farm, participants should expect natural outdoor terrain, including grass, gravel, dirt, and sand, which may be uneven in some areas.

Participants who use wheelchairs may be able to access parts of the farm with assistance, though natural surfaces may make mobility more challenging.

Support persons or assistants are welcome to attend and may also participate in the group experience if helpful.

Heart & Herd sessions also include group discussion and interaction as we walk through parts of the workbook together. Because of the outdoor setting and interactive group format, individuals with significant mobility or communication limitations may find some aspects of the experience challenging.

If you have accessibility questions, we encourage you to reach out before registering so we can discuss whether the experience would be a good fit.

For those who may not be able to attend in person, an online Heart & Herd experience may also be available as an alternative.

The in-person farm experience is $150, which includes the Say Howdy to Healing & Hope workbook.

The founding online pilot is $100, with the workbook purchased separately.

The online pilot is offered at a reduced founding rate as we begin this first group and gather feedback to help shape future sessions.

If finances are a concern, we encourage you to visit the Support the Mission page to learn about scholarship opportunities and submit an application. We never want finances to stand in the way of someone experiencing a breakthrough.

Comfortable outdoor clothing and closed-toe shoes or boots. Since sessions take place outdoors, participants should be prepared for changing weather conditions.

Heart & Herd groups are intentionally small and personal, typically with 5–10 participants, so everyone has space to share and participate.

Because we live in Michigan, sessions may occasionally be adjusted depending on weather conditions. Some activities may move to covered areas or indoor discussion spaces when needed.

That’s completely okay. Many women join the experience without much horse experience or feeling a little nervous at first. We will be right beside you, guiding you through each activity at a comfortable pace.

Our herd is gentle and accustomed to working around people, and the herd has your back as we walk through the experience together.

Yes. The book stands on its own and can absolutely be used as a personal study without interacting with horses.

Say Howdy to Healing & Hope introduces the principles of Faith-Based Equine Assisted Philosophy (FBEAP) to help readers understand how God can use horse behavior to reflect things happening in our own lives. While the Heart & Herd experience allows participants to observe horses together and discuss those insights as a group, the lessons, reflections, and tools in the book can still be meaningful even without direct interaction with horses.

Many readers may choose to work through the book with a friend or their own small “herd” for encouragement and accountability as they walk through the healing process together.