From Vision to Reality: My First Year as a Horse Therapist

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My First Year in Horse Therapy

This week marks the one-year anniversary of Eldersburg Equine Psychotherapy. To celebrate, the practice has been rebranded as Creatively Horse Therapy. Over the past year, much has unfolded, and many exciting changes are on the horizon. But before charging ahead, it feels fitting to pause and reflect on the wild, winding path that led to this moment.

So come along—this is a runaway journey of dreams, shared from the heart.

Looking back, I’m filled with gratitude for everything that’s unfolded. The good, the hard, and the surprising parts have all made this path so important to me. It’s not just about horses or therapy, it’s about a personal commitment to doing something real, something that has the power to help others heal.

I’m excited for what the next year holds, but I’m even more grateful to have shared this first one with you. Thank you for being a part of this journey. I’m beyond thankful for your support, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us next.

The Dream of Horses

As a kid, I was the one drawing horses in the margins of my notebooks, reading every horse book I could get my hands on, and begging for lessons or pony rides whenever the chance came. Horses weren’t just a hobby, they represented freedom, connection, and something ancient and wise that called to me even then.

Fast forward a few decades, and I found myself with a child of my own, a child who also dreamed of horses. This time, the longing came full circle. Together, we stepped into the world I had once only imagined. We started lessons, learned barn chores, figured out tack and safety, and trust, side by side. It wasn’t always graceful, but it was deeply bonding. We were beginners together, with hearts wide open.

Those early days weren’t just the beginning of horse ownership. They were the beginning of a calling that would eventually shape Creatively Horse Therapy.

My First Riding Lesson

The Horse Journey

The first time I climbed into the saddle as an adult, something clicked. It wasn’t just nostalgia, it was love, immediate and undeniable. I had waited decades for that moment, and somehow it was even better than I had imagined. I didn’t just enjoy riding; I felt right in a way I couldn’t explain.

Then came COVID. While the world turned upside down, riding became one of the few steady, healing things in my life. Being outdoors with the horses, feeling their presence and grounded energy, it offered a kind of therapy I didn’t yet realize I would one day help offer to others.

Eventually, it became clear: riding once a week wasn’t enough. This was more than a hobby, it was a lifestyle, a calling, a source of emotional and spiritual nourishment. I decided it was time to own a horse.

That decision led me to a quiet farm, where I met a mare with kind eyes and a steady, knowing energy. Her barn name was Guess, but the name written on her paperwork was Made a Decision. And I had. She became my first horse, the first member of a healing partnership I didn’t yet fully understand, but one I would come to cherish deeply.

Guess and I, the Day I Bought Her

Learning with Guess

Owning Guess was the beginning of a whole new chapter, one filled with humility, learning, and love.

She is a mare through and through: smart, sensitive, and opinionated. She taught me quickly that partnership with a horse isn’t about control, it’s about listening, adjusting, and showing up consistently with respect. Mares don’t hand you their trust; you earn it. And when you do, it’s undeniable.

As an adult amateur, I came into horse ownership with a lot to learn and no ego about it. I was willing to be the beginner, to ask questions, to get it wrong, and try again. There were moments of triumph and moments of frustration. There were days I left the barn proud, and days I left in tears. But I kept coming back.

Because this journey has never been easy, but it has always been worth it.

There was blood (hello, surprise nicks and bites), sweat (more than I thought possible), and yes, tears. I fell. Literally. I hit the ground more than once. But each time, I got back up, stronger, more grounded, and more committed.

Guess has been my greatest teacher, not just about riding, but about resilience, boundaries, patience, and trust. She is the heart of Creatively Horse Therapy, and her presence continues to shape everything we do.

On the Trail with my son and Winter

Winter has Come

Not long after I found Guess, my son began showing more interest in horses, too. It felt like a full-circle moment, just as I had dreamed of horses as a child, now I was watching that same spark in him. So, we began the search for a pony, hoping to find the right match for his size and spirit.

Enter Winter. A little grey pony with a big personality and a classic case of pony-tude. She was spunky, opinionated, and completely unforgettable. Like most ponies, she had her own ideas about how things should go, but she was safe, smart, and endlessly patient with my son. They were a team.

As he learned to ride, I found myself learning alongside him. We navigated the early anxieties of being on horseback together, me supporting him while also managing my own nerves as a newer rider. In many ways, Winter helped both of us grow. She was part of our foundation, the little mare who helped us find our footing.
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Losing Winter was unexpected and devastating. The grief was heavy, not just because she was my son’s first pony, but because she was part of our shared beginning in this horse world. She taught us about responsibility, joy, and heartbreak. Her absence is still felt, but so is her impact.

Simon Says

After Winter’s passing, the barn felt quieter and emptier. But as it often happens in life, something meaningful came along just when it was needed. Simon came to us from a local equine therapy program that had recently closed. He needed a new home, and when I met him, something just clicked.

Simon had a calm, grounded energy that immediately felt therapeutic. He wasn't flashy or fast, but he was intuitive, present, and steady. He wasn’t just a horse; he was a partner. At the time, the idea for Eldersburg Equine Psychotherapy had been quietly forming in my mind, and Simon felt like the sign I needed to move forward.

Simon, with his background and temperament, was perfectly suited for what my son deemed “heart” work. He became the heart of the program and the symbol of what it could become: a place where healing happens through presence, reflection, and authentic relationship.

Simon (front) and Guess (rear)

Finding Your Place in the Horse World: Hard Learned Lessons

When I first ventured into the horse world as an adult, I had idealized it, imagining it to be a community of passionate, like-minded people who shared a deep love for horses and a commitment to their well-being. But the reality was far more complicated. I quickly learned that the world of horses is not as romantic or as simple as it appears from the outside.

I made mistakes, some big ones, and I was taken advantage of. People in the horse world, unfortunately, don’t always have your best interests at heart. Some see an opportunity to profit, and others have hidden agendas wrapped up in their lessons, training, or rehab programs. I was vulnerable, eager to learn, and trusting, and I paid the price for that naiveté.

One of the hardest lessons was realizing that not all trainers are in it for the right reasons. Your trainer, no matter how well-intentioned, is not necessarily your friend. In this world, people often look out for their own interests, and that can affect the way they treat both you and your horse. Learning to recognize this dynamic was painful, but necessary.

Then came the first real scare, when I was faced with a situation that made me question everything. It was a wake-up call. I knew I needed to make a change, so I moved to a new barn, one that was more aligned with my values. That decision was a turning point. I could no longer ignore the emotional implications of the choices I was making in the horse world.

I committed to doing things differently. Better. I learned to trust my instincts more and to choose my connections with care. I worked hard to build a network of like-minded people who shared my values, and over time, I began to find my place in this world, one step at a time. Or so I thought.

The Birth of Eldersburg Equine Psychotherapy

After moving to a new barn that I hoped was aligned more closely with my values, the dream for Eldersburg Equine Psychotherapy began to take shape in a more concrete way. I was finally in a place where I could commit to making this vision a reality.

Training became a key focus. I invested time and energy into learning more about equine-assisted psychotherapy, developing a deep understanding of the therapeutic work that horses can do from the ground, not just from the saddle. I took courses, read everything I could, and built relationships with mentors in the field who could guide me.

Alongside the training, the planning phase began in earnest. I started mapping out what Eldersburg Equine Psychotherapy would look like, what services it would offer, who it would serve, and how it would operate. I had a vision of creating a space where people could heal, reflect, and grow in partnership with horses, grounded in a philosophy that honored both the horses and the clients. It was a dream realized.

But, as often happens in life, things didn’t go exactly as planned.

Just a week into launching the business, despite previous agreements and support, the new barn suddenly and without warning decided not to support my business, forcing me, yet again, to relocate. The timing was unexpected, and it threw a major wrench in my plans at a critical moment. It was a difficult blow, and I found myself back at square one, reassessing everything.

This sudden shift was jarring and disheartening, but it was also a powerful reminder of how unpredictable the path to building something meaningful can be. I could have let this setback stop me, but I didn’t. Equine Psychotherapy was a dream I was deeply committed to, and that commitment only grew stronger in the face of adversity.

Guess, Simon, and a New Friend

The Salvage

After the unexpected setback, I found myself scrambling to reassess my options and make the necessary changes to keep the dream of Eldersburg Equine Psychotherapy alive. It was a difficult period, but it also turned out to be a time of growth and connection.

I began reaching out to numerous businesses, barns, and individuals who might be able to offer support or collaboration. Each conversation, each connection, was a small step forward, sometimes feeling like progress, sometimes feeling uncertain. As I sought new partnerships and connections, I was actively networking, thinking that maybe a new relationship or opportunity would be the key to propelling the business forward.

I did eventually find  Eldersburg Equine Psychotherapy’s new home, a beautiful place where I had everything I truly needed, a supportive community, the right space, and a sense of purpose that aligned perfectly with my vision.

After Simon, Guess, and I settled into our new location, I found it difficult to truly relax. My mind, still shaken by the earlier setbacks, couldn’t quiet itself. I kept searching—more partnerships, more collaborations, more backup options—all driven by fear. But in the midst of this constant searching, I stumbled upon an invaluable lesson: "The grass under your feet." I was so focused on looking outward, hoping to find that perfect partnership or opportunity, that I eventually realized the most fertile ground I needed was already right beneath me.

It was a humbling realization—one that reminded me that often, the best opportunities are the ones we already have. We can easily get caught up in the search for something more, only to realize that everything we truly need is already within reach. Even when things haven’t gone as planned in the past, we have the choice to shift our mindset to one of abundance and gratitude, focusing on the positives we’ve created or received along the way.

Growth and Healing, Creatively Horse Therapy: One Year Later

One year after the official launch of Eldersburg Equine Psychotherapy, it’s been incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come and the transformations that have taken place along the way. Despite the challenges and unexpected turns, this first year has been a journey of growth, healing, and connection, not only for the horses and me but also for the clients who’ve walked through our doors.

Success stories have come in many shapes and sizes. We’ve had children, teens, and adults of all ages come through the barn, each finding their own path to healing and self-discovery through our equine-assisted therapy programs. Whether it’s a teen learning to manage anxiety with the help of Guess or an adult finding clarity and peace through a ground session with Simon, the work we do here is making a tangible difference.

Both Guess and Simon have become integral parts of the therapeutic process, with each horse developing a unique way of connecting with clients. Guess, our strong-willed and intuitive mare, has a special connection with clients who need help building trust, while Simon’s calm and gentle nature has been a steadying force for those seeking grounding and emotional regulation. Together, they are helping people navigate their personal journeys, offering a space for reflection, growth, and healing.

While we’ve made incredible strides, there is still so much room to grow. Each session brings new lessons, new connections, and new opportunities for expansion. The success we’ve seen this year has only fueled my passion to offer more, and I’m thrilled to share that we’re planning to expand our offerings in the coming months.

One exciting addition on the horizon is the EquiNimity Space, an adjunct, subscription-based, creative, and therapeutic space at the barn. This new initiative will provide clients and creatives a space to engage in art, journaling, movement, and other creative activities, alongside the horses, allowing for deeper introspection and self-expression. My goal is to cultivate an environment where both creative and therapeutic healing can occur side by side, providing people with tools to manage stress, tap into their inner creativity, and foster mental well-being.
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The vision behind Creatively Horse Therapy has always been to offer a safe, welcoming space where people can heal and grow. Continuing this journey alongside incredible horses and clients is both an honor and a joy. The renaming marks more than a milestone—it’s a reclaiming of the space after a turbulent beginning, a declaration of our resilience, and a commitment to move forward with purpose. The foundation is now firmly in place, and the path ahead is full of possibility. Here's to the year to come—and all the growth it promises.

Cindy Cisneros, and Heart Horse, Guess

Healing for you Heart with Horses

As I reflect on this first year, I can’t stress enough how important it is to follow your heart, even when the path is unclear or filled with obstacles. Starting and growing a business, especially one as unique and specialized as equine psychotherapy, hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been worth every challenge. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this: don’t give up. Keep going, even when things feel uncertain. Trust the process, trust your heart, and most importantly, find your people, those who believe in your mission and who will support you through thick and thin.

If you’ve been curious about the work we do at Creatively Horse Therapy, or if you think equine therapy might be the right fit for you, I encourage you to reach out. Whether you’re ready to dive in or just want to learn more, I’d love to offer a free consultation to answer any questions you may have.

You can also support us by spreading the word about the healing power of horses and the work we do. If you know anyone who might benefit from our services, please share our story with them. Together, we can help more people experience the transformative power of equine-assisted therapy.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to many more years of growth, healing, and connection.

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