Our aim for this container is to provide you and other participants with an in-depth learning and exploration process into all things horse-human connection, and we are excited to have you be a part of this.

The nature of this kind of work can often bring up strong emotions. We strive to provide a safe container for emotional processing as we unpack and untangle together the many tendrils that impact our relations with horses, including existing power structures and abuse of power, past trauma history, personal relationship history, and various identities that influence the way we relate to and are received by one another. The depth of exploration of these experiences is of course completely up to the wishes of participants, but our utmost priority is to provide a safe container for those who wish to do so.

Please read through these agreements very carefully, as this will help us to safeguard the integrity of the container.

As well as having the chance to participate deeply in training methods, you will be witnessing and holding space for other participants as they move through this process. As a caring witness, we ask that you offer validation and respect for folks’ emotional processes, even if you hold different beliefs or don’t necessarily agree with their perspective. This requires you to be able to hold multiple truths. Invalidating remarks and behaviors towards the emotions that others are experiencing will not be tolerated and include but are not limited to: invalidating comments, flippant remarks, eye rolls, walking away or phone scrolling while someone is sharing.

We ask that you never offer advice, both in regards to training or personal shares, unless specifically asked by the participant out of respect for their process and in attempt to honor their self-agency and sovereignty.
In order to honor the privacy of all participants, we ask that you do not share any personal details without direct permission from the sharer of such details outside the container.

We ask that you help us make sure that everyone gets a chance to speak by making room for quieter voices. This requires everyone to be cognizant of how much space they take up so that we can all make room for everyone's shares. We ask that you avoid raising your voice, talking over someone, or interrupting others while they are speaking.

We have strict anti-racist policies and expect participants in attendance to be actively learning about decolonial and anti-racism work and be accepting of all identities.

We expect attendees to have awareness around personal biases relating to racism, ableism, gender equality, and other systems and experiences of oppression.

We ask you respect others' identities and backgrounds, including names and pronouns.
We ask you to refrain from making assumptions on anyone’s gender identity, sexual preference, survivor status, health status, economic status, religion, background, beliefs, opinions, etc.
We ask you to remain humble and receptive when given direct feedback on the impact of your behavior, especially when communicated by someone with a marginalized identity. We expect you to be aware that your actions and words may have unintended effects on other people and that their feelings are valid, regardless of your intentions.

* We recommend that you have a separate support system and container to process any deep feelings, such as shame or grief, that may arise in this kind of situation.

Out of respect for the integrity and every attempt by us to create a safe space for folks to engage with this work at deeper levels, we have a zero tolerance policy for any of the above agreements being broken. If such agreements are broken you may either be offered a second chance for repair, being reminded of the original agreement you consented to, OR in some cases, you may be asked to leave immediately depending on the severity of the impact. In such a case, you will not receive reimbursement for any fees you have paid to participate in the intensive.