Why use horses as sources of wisdom?

Horses rely on collaboration to survive in the wild, and have developed sophisticated systems for maintaining their own health as well as preserving the well-being of the whole herd. They are constantly vigilant for danger, yet able to return immediately to a peaceful state of grazing when the danger has passed. They know precisely how to rebalance their energy and bodies. Horses also have insights to offer healthcare practitioners about how to partner effectively with their patients/clients, as horses will not simply cooperate with recommended treatment; they must be effectively engaged in any treatment plan for it to succeed. 

What practical knowledge can we learn from Carrie and her herd of horses? 

We’ll learn techniques to promote optimal health and well-being, including strategies to release stress and “return to grazing.” Carrie will explore ways we can rely on our senses to integrate delight in every day, and recognize and expand our “herds” of support. In addition, health professionals and holistic medicine practitioners will be able to identify new ways to engage their patients/clients and develop effective partnerships across the continuum of care. 

How does this presentation match the KSG goal? 

The presentation relates directly to KSG’s goal of bringing together conventional health professionals and holistic medicine practitioners in exploring wellbeing and health. Experiential learning with horses is an emerging field that has demonstrated powerful results in both traditional medicine and holistic health. Stanford University, for example, developed a curriculum on Medicine and Horsemanship that pairs medical students with horses to learn how to create effective doctor-patient relationships, the University of Kentucky has studied the effect of equine-assisted learning on developing emotional intelligence competencies in nurses, and HeartMath and others have published research on the positive effects being with a horse has on participants’ heart rhythm and cortisol levels. As Winston Churchill said, “there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” and research is proving he was correct.

What will attendees experience?  

This program will be highly interactive and include a combination of presentation, discussion, and shared experiences, including a guided meditation and creative activities designed to heighten participants’ senses and provide new perspectives. In addition, the virtual gathering format will provide an opportunity to observe and interact with the horses as Carrie presents from the barn. 

View Carrie’s slides here

View the video, available until July 23, 2021, here

You must use passcode  y73tboA@ to view the video

About Carrie… 

Carrie Brady, JD, MA is the Principal of CBrady Consulting and Executive Director of Possibilities Farm LLC, where she partners with horses in innovative wellness and personal development programs.

She is passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths and achieve their personal and professional goals. She began envisioning the farm when she was a young girl and consciously created it to retain all of the magic and wonder of childhood, combined with the most powerful transformational tools gained in her professional roles as an attorney, executive, healthcare consultant, and teaching artist.

Carrie has two decades of experience working with hospitals and is well-known for her engaging and experiential workshops, presentations and publications, as well as her creative approaches to support learning and problem-solving. She has served as a Vice President at the Connecticut Hospital Association and Planetree, and has led national and international efforts to improve healthcare, including a 26-state workshop series focused on. patient-centered care.

She is the author of the book HCAHPS Basics and several other widely used healthcare resources. Carrie’s diverse experiences as a teaching artist in programs for students with special needs, a therapeutic equine care instructor, and a reiki master blend seamlessly with her corporate work to create a unique perspective. Carrie’s educational background includes a JD from Northwestern University where she was an editor of the Law Review, an MA and BA in Sociology, and a Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship. She is certified by the Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A) and currently serves as Vice President of the E3A Board of Directors.