“When I start losing sight, he is there to give me that kick up the butt. Literally and figuratively”

In April 2020 I visited the beautiful location of Paard&Inspiratie (Horse & Inspiration) in Waddinxveen. There I could allow Lynn van der Rest to experience a coaching session with her own horses. She shares her story below.

“At the end of 2018 I started my company Paard&Inspiratie, but it still didn’t go as I planned. The year 2020 was to be THE year for me in every way, but it could not be further from the truth. That is why Nita came to visit us on Thursday 16 April to talk about it and among other things, to have a coaching session with the horses. Nita is an ex colleague of my father’s and she was also very curious about our location.

After we had had a cup of coffee, it was time for the coaching. We walked to the riding arena and Nita suggested coaching with my 2 young horses and the oldest mare which I thought was a good idea. The strict corona rules were in force, so keep an absolute 1,5 m away and no touching. It took some time getting used to that, but it ultimately worked out ok :)

Well it hit home quite hard because that was exactly what I found so difficult and had actually never done both business wise and privately

The horses roamed around the arena and I was also allowed to find my place in the arena. I had found my place and Nita started to ask me questions. Answering went pretty well and I thought I was on the right track. However, Nita still asked me to move and as soon as I did the older mare approached me decisively and started rubbing against my left side. Nita carried on and eventually the conclusion was to talk about my feelings. Well it hit home quite hard because that was exactly what I found so difficult and had actually never done both business wise and privately.

My parents were also walking around on the grounds and they were immediately brought in as ‘representatives’ and it became a family constellation with the horses. Each of us had to take our own place in the arena and the horses immediately became restless. The older mare and the younger mare pushed us all away from where we were standing, while the young gelding constantly stood next to me and moved every time I changed my position. Nita moved us through the arena via the questions she asked until all three of us had a place, the young gelding went his own way and the two mares also remained calm.

But…. Now I felt an overwhelming restlessness because I stood quite far away from my parents. So I moved a little closer and the horses started moving again… they were clearly showing me that I can let my feelings be heard more and take my own place. Well…

They clearly showed me that I can let my feelings be heard more and take my own place

Then the emotions welled to the surface because I really value what my parents think of the things I do. We went on and on about this and then something happened that I still can’t quite explain. The young gelding stood between me and my parents, blocking (he is quite large) the view that my parents had of me. At that moment things started unravelling for my mother and even my father was having a hard time.

Wherever I moved the gelding kept blocking the view. It was very clear to me that I had to realise my inabilities in my own strength. When I turned my gaze to face forward, I was allowed to experience what it was like to feel that my parents are behind me.

If I start to lose sight he is there to give me that kick in the ass. Literally and figuratively

We concluded the coaching and were advised to let it sink in for a while and not to discuss it with each other. Weeks passed and one evening my friend said: “Um… what happened during the coaching? Because since then you are far more purpose-driven and you also set limits”. Even today I still notice the positive consequences from the coaching. Despite corona, I’ve actually been quite busy with things I like doing and I really feel at home on the terrain.

And yes, that young gelding is still my anchor and if I start to lose sight, he is there to give me that kick in the ass. Literally and figuratively.”

Do you want to experience empowerment during a session with the horses? Then contact me as I would be happy to guide you through it.

Go deeper with both feet on the ground, lovingly confrontational and in connection with nature