Touched By A Horse

In this week’s episode of Touched by a Horse, Melisa sits down with Equine Gestaltist Carolyne Stolzenfels of Wildfire Dreams in beautiful Charlevoix, Michigan. Carolyne shares her journey from growing up around Standardbred racehorses to discovering a deeper, more intuitive partnership with horses and ultimately finding Equine Gestalt. She and Melisa explore the profound wisdom horses can offer, the importance of treating them as partners rather than tools, and how Gestalt work can help people move through grief, trauma, and heartbreak. Carolyne also introduces the special herd she partners with in her practice and shares how her work helps clients reconnect with themselves, heal, and make room for greater joy.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Wildfire Dreams
• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

In this episode of Touched by a Horse, Melisa welcomes Dr. Bonnie Laabs, educator, author, and founder of Minnesota's Wee Farm, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children and families reconnect with nature through meaningful interactions with animals. Bonnie shares her powerful personal journey from a childhood marked by trauma to earning a PhD in curriculum development and creating innovative, hands-on programs that blend STEM education, animal-assisted learning, and healing. Together, they discuss how experiences with horses and other farm animals can foster resilience, emotional regulation, and personal growth for children and adults alike. Bonnie also introduces her book, Inside the Head of a Bad Kid, explores the impact of trauma on learning and behavior, and explains how her Equine Gestalt training is expanding the farm's mission to support parents, educators, and anyone seeking healing through authentic connection with animals and nature.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Wee Farm
• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

This episode of Touched by a Horse is a heartfelt reflection on the deep bonds we share with the animals who shape our lives. Melisa and Dane begin with updates from the farm—including a rescued orange kitten and visits from dear friends—before sharing the peaceful passing of their beloved miniature horse, Cracker Jack. Through stories of his playful personality and gentle final moments, Melisa explores the true nature of grief, reminding listeners that the loss of an animal companion deserves to be honored, never minimized. It's a moving conversation about love, healing, and the lasting imprint our animals leave on our hearts

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

In this laid-back summer catch-up episode, Melisa and Dane reflect on birthday celebrations, welcoming a new class of Equine Gestalt students, and the joy of slowing down with a good book. They also share a fascinating real-world example of using AI to quickly identify a toxic pasture weed before it could harm their horses, sparking a thoughtful conversation about technology as a tool for both animal care and everyday life. Plus, Melisa previews upcoming classes on the Seven Layers of Bioenergetics, shares updates on the growing Touched by a Horse community, and offers practical summertime reminders for keeping horses and pets healthy during extreme heat. It's an episode filled with laughter, learning, and the everyday moments that make life with horses so meaningful.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

In this inspiring episode, Melisa chats with Equine Gestalt Coach and author Marcy Waelti to explore the transformative connection between horses, healing, and neurodiversity. Marcy shares her journey from teaching riding lessons to creating a sanctuary where horses help children, families, and caregivers discover confidence, connection, and personal growth. Together, they discuss the unique gifts horses offer neurodivergent individuals, the importance of supporting parents alongside their children, and the heart behind Marcy's new book, That Zen Farm: Where Horses Heal Humans. This heartfelt conversation celebrates the power of meeting people exactly where they are—and the extraordinary wisdom horses bring to the healing journey.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about That Zen Farm
• Buy Marcy’s Book!
• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

In this solo episode, Melisa explores the power of intuition and how we can strengthen our ability to trust our inner knowing. Drawing from decades of experience in Equine Gestalt Coaching, she explains why horses are naturally "clairsentient"—deeply attuned to human emotions, energy, and authenticity—and how they help us reconnect with our own intuitive wisdom. Melisa shares practical ways to distinguish intuition from fear, recognize the body's subtle signals, and slow down enough to hear the quiet guidance that's always available.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

In this lighthearted catch-up episode, Melisa and Dane share life around the ranch, from much-needed spring rains and hay season preparations to welcoming new Equine Gestalt Coaching Method trainees and celebrating the growth of their equine facilitator community. Melisa reflects on the support of close friends, the bittersweet anniversary of her daughter's passing, and the healing power of connection, while the pair recounts horse grooming adventures, a recent professional photo shoot, favorite local restaurants, and Dane's newfound enthusiasm for golf league competition.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

In this episode of Touched by a Horse, Melisa explores how horses act as powerful mirrors, responding not to our words but to our authentic emotional state. Drawing from her work in Equine Gestalt Coaching, she explains how horses reveal hidden feelings, unresolved grief, suppressed emotions, and the gap between who we appear to be and what we truly feel. Melissa shares stories from her practice to illustrate how horses foster self-awareness, authenticity, healing, and deeper connection, while offering valuable lessons about leadership, communication, boundaries, and relationships.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

In this heartfelt solo episode, Melisa explores the often-overlooked art of truly listening. Drawing from her years as a psychotherapist, educator, and Equine Gestalt practitioner, she shares how most people unintentionally interrupt, derail, or “hijack” conversations instead of offering genuine presence and attention. Through relatable stories and practical examples, Melisa unpacks the emotional impact of being deeply heard—and how learning to listen with patience, compassion, and curiosity can transform our relationships, parenting, friendships, and healing work.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125

In this warm and conversational catch-up episode of Touched by a Horse, Melisa and Dane reflect on a whirlwind month filled with Equine Gestalt coaching trainings, cross-country road trips, reunions with friends and graduates, and settling further into life in British Columbia. Along the way, they share stories about traveling with their beloved Bernese Mountain Dogs, reconnecting with students and colleagues in Colorado, and the joys and challenges of building a new home base in Canada. With humor, heart, and plenty of personal updates, this episode offers listeners an intimate glimpse into the everyday life behind the work they love.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse
• Find an Equine Gestaltist near you!
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Connect with us on Instagram
• Reach out with questions for Melisa at [email protected]
• Call our offices at (303) 440-7125