Relational Reciprocity: Honoring the Pace of Healing and Connection

Gracie and Me exploring connection bareback and bridle less.

At True Nature Integrative Health, we believe that healing is a relational process that extends from human to human, horse to human, and to the land as a whole. This relational reciprocity is the cornerstone of what we do — and it's the approach we take in everything, from equine-assisted therapy to our work with human clients. We prioritize relationships first, with curiosity and a deep respect for the unique pace of each being.

This philosophy is not just a practice we offer to our clients — it's something that I live and breathe daily with my own horses, particularly with my mare, Gracie. Gracie has been both a challenge and a teacher over the years. Her back soreness, behavioral concerns, and our shared moments of confusion have always led me to pause and reflect, rather than rush to conclusions. In doing so, I’ve learned to listen deeply — to her, to my intuition, and to the relationship we are building together.

Gracie’s story is a perfect example of how we apply relational reciprocity in our work. There was a time when I might have chalked up her behaviors to “attitude” or labeled her as “difficult” as many well meaning people did. But at True Nature, we understand that horses, like people, are never simply giving you a hard time, they are having a hard time. Let us pause and take that in again: People/Horses are not giving you a hard time they are having a hard time. Oh, trust me, this is not second nature it is a practice but just think what could happen is we just paused and considered this. This shift in perspective has been transformative for both Gracie and me. It has allowed me to approach her with curiosity and compassion, not frustration, as we work through her healing journey together.

Recently, I had the opportunity to put this philosophy into practice in a more personal way. As I prepared to ride Gracie, I found myself overcome with anxiety and fear. I couldn’t get past those feelings, so I chose not to get on and ride. Instead of pushing through those emotions, I offered myself compassion, allowing my tension and fear to have space and to be examined without judgment. I didn’t force myself to move forward past my threshold — I simply acknowledged where I was at and embraced all parts of myself, including the impatient and fearful parts. But I also recognized the brave parts of me that were ready to explore this process of healing and growth.

This moment led me to think about seeking support for both Gracie and myself. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Sometimes, we need support to move through difficult emotions, whether for ourselves or for our horses. This is part of the relational reciprocity that we practice at True Nature — understanding that support, compassion, and connection are vital to the healing journey for both humans and horses.

I also reflect on the times when I rode Gracie bareback and brideless, experiences that were beautiful in their simplicity and trust. Those moments remind me of what is possible when we approach each other with consent, mutual respect, and openness. True relational reciprocity means that we can take steps forward and steps back in our relationships, and we can honor a "no" that was once a "yes" and vice versa. This is something I’ve learned both from Gracie and from my work at True Nature — that it’s okay to change course, to listen to ourselves and each other, and to honor the fluidity of consent and boundaries.

At True Nature, we don’t move at the same pace as other equine-related businesses. We don’t rush results or outcomes. Whether we’re offering equine-assisted support, therapy, or workshops, we focus on creating experiences that are rooted in the art of being, not doing. This is true not only for our human clients but also for our equine partners. Just as we honor the pace of our clients' healing journeys, we honor the pace of our horses, allowing them to express themselves authentically and to be present in their own way. This creates a space for empowerment and choice, not rigid agendas or forced performance.

For our clients, this means offering a space where they can explore themselves and their environment with curiosity, without pushing them beyond their unique threshold. There’s no agenda here — only a shared commitment to being present with each other. For our horses, it means giving them the freedom to move at their own pace and engage with us in a way that feels natural to them. We recognize that every horse, like every human, has their own rhythm, their own needs, and their own journey. Just as we create trauma-conscious spaces for human clients, we create those same spaces for our equine partners.

Healing, at True Nature, is not about getting things done quickly or following a pre-determined structure. It’s about slowing down, listening deeply, and building relationships that are rooted in trust and mutual respect. We want to empower our clients to be curious about themselves, their relationships, and their environment, and to embrace all parts of themselves without pushing past their unique boundaries.

This relational approach permeates everything we do. It’s not about doing to someone or something — it’s about being with. With our human clients, we guide them through a process of self-discovery, empowerment, and healing that honors their autonomy. With our horses, we do the same: we create a space for connection, for mutual respect, and for deep relational healing. It’s about being present, being curious, and allowing the relationship to unfold naturally — at the pace that feels right for each individual, whether human or horse.

Gracie is a living example of how relational reciprocity transforms the way we approach healing. We’re not rushing to “fix” her or impose a solution. Instead, we’re honoring the process, taking time to understand what she needs, and allowing the relationship to evolve. It’s this slow, mindful approach that creates true healing — for Gracie, for our clients, and for everyone involved in the process.

At True Nature, we’re committed to fostering environments where being is more important than doing, where relationships are built on reciprocity, and where healing happens at the pace that feels right for each individual. Whether it’s human or horse, we believe that true transformation happens when we listen, when we honor each being’s unique journey, and when we approach the process with curiosity, compassion, and mutual respect.