Spirit Farm Blog
Welcome to the Spirit Farm blog, the home of all things Gypsy Cob! This space will be a forum for us to provide regular information on the care and maintenance of Gypsy Cobs, training tips, interviews with equine service providers and a monthly mindfulness and human-animal connection column. We are continually expanding and evolving this space so please contact us with your feedback and ideas!
A Q and A on Gypsy Cobs with Janey Down
In celebration of our website launch Spirit Farm Gypsy Cobs is proud to share with you an interview with Janey Down. Thank you Janey for taking the time to share your experiences with us! Janey Down and Gavin Ross Willcox are special friends of Spirit Farm and own their own herd of prize gypsy cobs in the UK. Janey graciously contributed
The Human Animal Bond and Mindfulness Series: 4. How Mindfulness Can Deepen the Bond
June 30, 2020 Written by Shreyasi Brodhecker and edited by Natalie Wilson In the final article of this series we reflect on how being fully aware, of your experience in the present moment, can deepen the quality of connection you have with your companion animals – horses and otherwise. The previous articles in this series introduced the Human Animal Bond (HAB), explored the benefits that the Human Animal Bond has
The Human Animal Bond and Mindfulness Series: 3. Explaining the Human Animal Bond
June 5, 2020 We continue our Human Animal Bond Series today with Part 3. Theories explaining the healing power of the Human Animal Bond. This is a continuation of my learning received through some introductory courses at the Dreamcatcher Association and at Healing Hooves, interspersed with some personal life connections and reflections. There have been several different ways people have tried to explain how their bonds to animals have created such life-altering benefits. As noted in
The Human Animal Bond and Mindfulness Series: 2. Researched Benefits of the Human Animal Bond
May 29, 2020 Courtesy of Prairie Darkroom Photography We continue our Human Animal Bond Series today with Part 2. The Researched Benefits of the Human Animal Bond. As part of completing the introductory training offered by the Dreamcatcher Nature-Assisted Therapy Association and Healing Hooves Equine and Animal-Assisted Therapy, I’ve been able to review various research studies highlighting the value of the bond between humans and animals on several levels – emotional, physical, social and cognitive (or thoughts-based).
The Human Animal Bond and Mindfulness Series: 1. The Treasured Human Animal Bond
May 25, 2020 Some of the Spirit Herd Photo courtesy of Prairie Darkroom Photography In our last article, we spoke of Magical Paws. This is an extension of that article into a series on the Human Animal Bond (HAB). Magical Paws was about the ways that being in the presence of animals can be an avenue for us to stay aware of the present moment. In the present moment is where animals
The Impact of Equine Assisted Interventions on Measures of Social and Emotional Wellbeing in Adolescents
Shreyasi Brodhecker June 2020 Abstract Although there is anecdotal evidence about the emotional benefits of being with horses and from qualitative research, there is limited empiric understanding of the emotional and social benefits of equine assisted interventions. This review addresses the following question: What is the impact of equine assisted interventions on measures of social and emotional wellbeing in adolescents? At least eight studies were selected, the majority of which
