Testimonials

“Working with Sally shifted so much for me. She created a safe and supportive space that allowed me to delve deep into myself and explore things that have been holding me back from living the life I so badly yearned for. Sally helped me generate awareness, and fine tune my values and beliefs which transformed my life. I shed the parts that were holding me back and now feel freer and excited about the future – something I am unfamiliar with but love! Sally has essentially given me the “secret ingredients” to living a fulfilling life, ones that everyone should be privy to!” ~ Courtney, Television Director

“Through Sally’s coaching, I have progressively achieved deeper awareness to propel positive mindset shifts, relationship satisfaction, pride in my work, and more successful personal and professional outcomes.” ~ Brian, Co-Founder at Startup

“I had the pleasure of coaching with Sally on a personal retreat in Costa Rica. The experience was life changing.

Sally has a gift for coaching. She is intuitive, patient, empathetic and deeply insightful. The horses are special guides to the principles Sally teaches. I gained confidence and built a deep connection working with Beauty the horse. Both Sally and the horses provided me with amazing personal insight, tools and techniques to take into my personal life and career.

I came to Sally with the objective of creating a happier more fulfilled life for myself after a career burnout. In the short time I worked with Sally in Costa Rica and through monthly online coaching sessions thereafter, I’ve become a far happier, confident and fulfilled person with a career that allows me to follow my passions.

I’m profoundly grateful to Sally and her herd for the impact they’ve had on my career and personal life.” ~ Caroline, Lawyer

“Truly life-changing and restorative. Sally held the space with such skill and compassion that it really allowed me to show up in all of my imperfections. Honestly I don’t know if that’s a place where I’ve ever allowed myself to occupy.” ~ Trish, Life Coach

“I’m so grateful to have spent this time with Sally and for the support she has shown me. It’s been a truly life-changing experience, and feeling the changes in myself is awesome.

Working with Sally was:

• Empowering
• Meaningful
• More effective than I could have ever imagined
• Came just at the right time
• Eye opening
• Life changing
• Needed
• Helped me take more control of my life and how I see myself

Her ability to listen empathetically and show up in the fullest to each and every single conversation, exercise and session we had together – made me feel supported and made it easier for me to put everything on the table, which resulted in immensely powerful breakthroughs during our sessions.

I discovered power and growth within myself that I had been looking for my entire life. This type of work on myself, and thus working with Sally, is just beginning.” ~ Josh, Co-Founder at Startup Island

“Sally is incredibly supportive and authentic. Coaching with her has been a pivotal part of my growth adventure!” ~ Nora, Consultant

“Working with Sally, not only have I gained a greater self-awareness but also the knowledge and understanding of how to link my objectives, especially my values in order to achieve sustainable and positive changes in my life” ~ Andrew, Executive Coach and Lecturer

“Sally is such an excellent coach! She is talented, humble and she loves helping people find their own voice. She helped me so much understand myself better and trust my intuition.” ~ Leila Pages

“Learning to really feel and process emotions and that it’s ok to feel was such a breakthrough. I have found the courage to live wholeheartedly, embracing vulnerability, trusting myself and in the process of being present and living life with hope openness and compassion. I have learnt that self love is key.” ~ Asia, Corporate Attorney

“I felt capable, inspired and powerful after every session working with Sally – I felt true magic in many of our encounters” ~ Nikki, Co-Founder at The Visionaries

“I have learnt a lot about how I can train my brain to set myself up for success. This will help me focus more on what I’m feeling in life and I have definitely learnt to listen to my natural instinct, rather than what others may think, when making decisions.” ~ Charlotte Wilkes, Student

“The sense of being loved, respected and heard is nurturing and energising and you leave uplifted, motivated and rejuvenated with the gift of insight, belief and faith.” ~ Jennifer, Real Estate Agent Owner

“The experience was life-changing.  I connected with deep parts of myself that needed addressing and processing, with the true assistance and guidance of my horse.” ~ Valeria, Nurse

“As a non-horse person, it was so impactful to interact with these beautiful animals. Having a horse listen and feel your energy and respond is an experience I can’t even explain in words. I recommend this workshop to anyone looking to get more in touch with your emotions and to learn how to do more, while exerting less energy. I most enjoyed being chosen by my horse and learning what she saw in me. It made me feel very special and I learnt so much about myself from her energy.  Now I will be conscious of the energy I give out, as well as other people’s energy, and use that to make my interactions more positive and less exhausting. Awesome!” ~ Lisa, Software Specialist

“I learned how to trust other people, animals and most importantly, myself.  This experience is ideal to reconnect with oneself, to open oneself to new experiences and step out of the comfort zone, to meet and be supported by other people.” ~ Angela, Therapist

“I felt profound internal transformation while working and interacting with the horses through the equine sand play experience. I was amazed of the level of intunement that the horse can provide and the depth of the insight that horse’s presence can elicit. It can heal any human who is willing to open her/his heart for a new life-changing experience.” ~ Inna, Therapist

“They say when you open yourself up and step fully into your vulnerability that’s when you can truly feel joy. Well, for the first time in my adult life I experienced real full-blown Joy with my horse, and I carried that most amazing feeling back home with me. Now when I am feeling down I can tap into those memories and it brings the feeling of joy right back into my heart…” ~ Kristen, Energy Worker

“The experience was life changing. The horses are special guides to the principles Sally teaches. Both Sally and the horses provided me with amazing personal insight, tools and techniques to take into my personal life and career.” ~ Caroline, Lawyer

“Can I say this experience exceeded my expectations? Well, I’d read about these types of programs and the wonder of what the quiet and yet forcible spirit of the horse could do to heal and help the human soul, but in my head I believed it was too good to be true. I should have trusted my heart because it is true. You cannot fathom the healing and spiritual growth of this program until you experience it here.” ~ Roxanne, Military Contract Negotiator

“I don’t really know how to explain my experience, mainly because it blew any expectations out of the water. The team, led by Susan, Eric, Debbie and Sally were profoundly skilled at facilitating the connection between human and horse. So much so, that by the end of the week we were more connected than family. The entire experience is exhilarating in physical, emotional and spiritual ways, making it difficult to explain in words. Much better to be experienced by oneself.” ~ Corbett, Therapist

“I feel like a whole new person now I am back home! I can’t thank you all, horses and humans alike, for giving me the tools that I so desperately needed to change my life. It is truly an incredible gift.” ~ Beth, Full-time Mom

“I feel that I was given an elixir-serum, there in Arenal, that taught me the truth, though I dare not name that truth because it is my own and may be different for you.  Astonishingly, the shifts my horse helped make in me have become stronger since I’ve returned into my life.” ~ Eva, Documentary Maker

“Waking up to the sounds, smells and sights of the rainforest was a remarkable experience unto itself, and couldn’t have been a better way to start a day filled with wonder, tranquillity, and most of all, an indescribable feeling that I would never want to go away. Not only did I connect deeply to the horse that joined me, I learned so much so quickly in an environment filled with love and lack of judgment that helped me to feel I was protected and at ease.

It sounds cliche, but really, you must go there yourself to believe it and know that anything is possible when you discover things about your nature and heal from the wounds of the past that you had given up on.  I will never forget this week until the day I die.  It is that amazing!” ~ Phoebe, Intuitive Coach

“I learned to trust myself in my decision-making, positive self-care and herd dynamics!” ~ Brittany, Therapist

“In a lifetime of experiences, some stand out far beyond others. Moments that change mind, body and soul. The seven days of this learning experience has become, for me, the best of the best, but that is an understatement.” ~ Dan, Retired Military Contractor

“The horse got to the most raw emotions and experiences in my life that have been blocking me to be my true self.  I feel whole and complete. This was transformational!” ~ Carol, Food Scientist

“I came knowing what my core conflicts were. But leave understanding the root reasons they exist and have been given the tools to help me stay connected, to stay centred and true to myself. Learning to recognise my needs before they become a never-ending hamster wheel, by either stopping helping or asking for help.

I gained a real strength of self. I will take this back home and remember to Stop!! And breathe. And listen to my heart, not so much head. A conscious, awakening experience.” ~ Patricia, Business Owner

“What I got out of my experience is more connection with myself, my horse and others and realising that I can be upset without being mean. Everyone can benefit from this by learning how to listen and feel. The secret for me is letting go of my fears to be free. Overall my experience was amazing.” ~ Anonymous

“Astonishing. Exhilarating. Revealing. Transformational.  In our every day lives, we hope to learn about ourselves in bits and pieces.  We try to grow in small ways hoping they’ll add up, eventually, to something bigger, something meaningful.  But imagine doing all this in one week.

I arrived afraid –  what if I couldn’t keep up with the “horsey stuff”?  I hadn’t ridden since I was 12 when I was told I was awkward and untalented. What if I held the group back or worse…

It isn’t about riding or being horsey.  It’s about the beauty of animals – and the magnificent relationship between horses and humans.  In fact, only one member of our group could ride.  One member had never even sat on a horse. It didn’t matter.  We were there to be with our horses and with ourselves.

What is the process?  It’s hard to describe because it’s an evolution, different for each person…Your horse lovingly gives you what you need and, in turn, requires that you shed what you do not.  Today, I describe myself as arriving in Costa Rica a garden snake and shedding so many skins, I left as a python.

It’s not just the horses.  It’s also the people – the brilliant trio of Danielle, Debbie and Sally.  They are more than a team, rather a seamless interweave of talents able to work with each of us to tease out our raw, beautiful humanness and, from there, dip our toes into the pool of our authentic selves.

I am home now, a different person.  No one around me can quite name it. Some say I’m gentler, others prefer ‘more directed’ or ‘better grounded’.  The words don’t matter because the truth is I’m more me.  And becoming me is a never-ending process that I’m honored to have begun.” ~ Julie, CEO

“Magical….joy-filled…soul stirring….life affirming…it will change you.

How can I put into words an experience that is beyond what words can convey? This is the challenge before me in speaking and writing about my experience in Costa Rica. Working with the horses in this intimate and personal way transported me to another way of being and experiencing life. I felt lifted above my normal way of processing life and I was able to experience the joy, peace and love that is present in the NOW of any given moment. The horses are experts at gently guiding you to live in the present moment and to experience your feelings and emotions without judgment.

This process stimulated in me a deep remembering of the truth of who I AM…a truth beyond all labels and limitations. By the end of the week, I could see myself in the way the horses saw me….as a strong capable person who can handle whatever life brings. One of the most important lessons the horses taught me is to be authentic and honest about whatever I am feeling. The horses had a superb way of demonstrating to us all why the approach of denying our feelings doesn’t work. They made it clear in every encounter, that authenticity can really be the gateway to freedom and fearless living! As I return home, I will carry with me the lessons and learning from the horses, the people I met and the magic of Costa Rica” ~ Jenny, Animal Communicator

“Someone would benefit from this retreat if they are struggling with applying self-care in their lives, as well as if they are feeling stuck.  This can help shift your focus.” ~ Katie, Therapist

“It seemed that my horse knew just what it was that I needed to work on. And in very real & tangible ways, he was able to show me how to change. I have a new belief in myself and who I am. Life-altering! :)” ~ Kathy, Animal Intuitive

“The Horse and Soul retreat was such a profound experience for me that I am not sure I can do justice to it in this review.  I have had little experience working with horses but I was really drawn to attending this workshop and I am so happy I did.  I immediately bonded with my horse, JR, and the communication I was able to have with him throughout the week was so much more than I thought was possible.  I was able to see the old issues that really were blocking me from moving forward the way I wanted to in my life. The work I did with JR, Danielle (MacKinnon), Debbie and Sally was life changing.  I know I would not have been able to see things so clearly with out the help and support of both the 2 legged and 4 legged instructors.  Seeing the immediate feedback from my horse was unbelievable!  The atmosphere of this workshop was very supportive, including the other participants.  Since returning home I already have used what I have learned.  I did not see that not being fully open was blocking different places in my life.  I have made an effort to be more open and it changes my approach to almost everything. I cannot think of anything that could have made it any better.

If you feel drawn to it please sign up…you will amazed at your experience.” ~ Ginger, Intuitive Coach

“A soul expanding experience!” ~ Joyce, Nursery Owner

“I had no idea what to expect or whether it would be for our family, but I was open to new and different experiences and knew that family time is always good.  But wow!  What we got blew my mind.

As instructors and emotional coaches you are fabulous. To use some of the concepts you taught – you moved fluidly through the herd roles as needed to manage my kids and our family beautifully.  I was amazed how each of my children could step into the arena on their own and work through their unique and precise areas of growth.  It truly almost felt like it was magic, but rather it was just deep intuition from Debbie, Sally and mostly the horses.

With no horse background, I feel like we grew so much in our understanding of horse behaviour and personalities. For myself it reflected my challenge in balancing my assertiveness with my desire for collaboration.  As a business owner and strong assertive woman, I have at times struggled in growing up and feeling self-conscious as if I was coming on too strong.  I was happy to work through this balance of herd roles of dominant, leader, nurturer with Cosmo (my horse), to get to my place of “joy” and “being”. Working with feelings all day, and so often being in my head with them, I can feel uneasy with whether I can recognise and be aware of my more intuitive, gutteral side.   It was a joyful, full, release to be on the learner side and emotionally experience all that my family was getting to experience. The gratitude was overwhelming. For my sensitive, restless and at times anxious 7-year-old, it was so empowering for him to see that he was capable of leadership and a bond with this massive beauty.  For my spirited and passionate 10-year-old, she faced knowing how to use and balance the wonderful gift of her palpable energy.  And for my introverted, underspoken, big-hearted 14-year-old, he was able to work through finding his voice and his assertiveness in a way that felt authentic to him.  Then for my husband, there were clearly valuable issues around his own self-identity that he worked through.

Power is a wonderful thing when it is in proper balance.  That is what you showed so beautifully. Thank you so very much.” ~ Kristin, family of 5

“This is where you come to meet your real self.  If you’re looking for the ideal vacation and/or want to make an investment in your own growth, this is your heaven on earth.” ~ Anonymous

“It was indisputably a worthwhile experience. I had the space and suitable conditions to reflect and gain invaluable insights about my life and my conditioned self.  This an unique experience that should be experienced at least once and that will not be regretted” ~ Judith, Biologist

“I received so many wonderful informations about emotions, and I felt in a safe place to experience them too. Because horses have this beautiful ability to make the emotions come up, always for your own good. They reflect who you are, whether you want to see it or not, because that’s how they see you.” ~ Leila, Documentary Maker

“Horses are incredible beings with souls and the power to connect with humans in a way I didn’t know possible. “I feel so empowered to make choices with what I have learnt here this week.” ~ Asia, Lawyer

“The team does a fabulous job at creating a hands-on activity-filled workshop that promotes personal growth and the gaining of valuable life wisdom, while balancing down time for rest, play, exploration and rejuvenation. You will deeply connect with these divine creatures, with the Costa Rican jungle, and with the guides and other participants. I highly recommend it.” ~ Paula, Organizer

“I am aware of a new inner space of my perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and definitely the dreams. I am going to be honest.  It is the best thing I ever participated in…” ~ Caryl, Nurse, U.S.

“Sacred, exhilarating and unforgettable!” It was truly a life changing experience that I couldn’t have anticipated. Horses have this incredible ability to reveal the very things in ourselves that we hide from and push down. I was reminded to step into my own power and to listen to my emotions as useful information and trust that my intuition will guide me.” ~ Cassie, Singer

“I had no idea what to expect and was not so comfortable talking about feelings but I felt part of such an authentic community and now I better understand how to use emotions as information, have learned to use my intuition and I felt such a connection with my horse. Truly extraordinary!” ~ Lucien, Finance Director

“Being with my horse Cosmo was the best thing ever and it was funny how alike we are! The way we are able to develop such a strong bond with the horses and the science behind it surprised me. I never imagined horses to be like this. I was so surprised when Cosmo actually followed me with no rope – it is amazing how quickly a bond can develop!” ~ Polly Hipkiss, high school student

“Profound!” ~ Brian, Inventor

“I would say to others thinking of coming: Let go of agenda, expectations and even intention. Be open to living a new and different life!” ~ Jean, Psychiatric Nurse

“Transformative!” ~ Michelle, Owner of Pet Smart Magazine

“It is completely disarming to witness how contact with horses opens up people; it often unfolds what is carefully tucked away inside or ignored by themselves, releasing emotions or ideas they were unaware were influencing their lives.” ~ Ute, Doctor

“I am leaving feeling an empowered sense of myself!” ~ Sherry, Therapist

“No matter your previous experience, this workshop will open your eyes and heart to ideas and tools to use in any situation or discipline. Exhilarating!” ~ Terri, Director

“Don’t expect anything – just feel it and let it go…I learnt to trust myself.  Wonderful!” ~ Nina, Executive Coach

“Beautiful, revealing, growth, supportive! It is fun, interesting, motivating and safe. The beauty of this land added greatly to the magic. The setting is one of the most beautiful in the world.” ~ Francesca, Yoga Instructor

“It helped me to truly understand the way of things in nature and how that can help us. The biggest impact for me was seeing my approach to life through the roles of horse herd behavior.” ~ Mark, Engineer

“I connected my internal and external self in order to connect to other people and other creatures. I have learned to be my own leader and to nurture more, rather than trying to pressure myself.  I found Joy with Dorado (my horse)!” ~ Yuko, Fashion Director

“Day by day the exercises and my horse helped me to discover things about myself that I never knew or had forgotten. My horse taught me that I was the one holding myself back. I was standing in my own way. This experience opened that door to me. I will be forever changed by it.” ~ Anon

“Working with your horse is a beautiful journey of self discovery and deep healing. For me opening up and learning to let go, and be completely vulnerable was very hard because my inner tough was very strong…You can absolutely trust your horse to guide you into the deepest trenches of your soul. Let them help you release the pain, sadness, hurt, and anger you’ve been holding on to.

Go into each day with your horse with no expectation of what you are going to work on. Trust the energy of the day and whatever exercise they have chosen will bring out of you what needs to come to the surface.

Allow yourself to completely let go and feel anything that comes up with no judgement. Your amazing horse will support you 100 percent when you are bringing stuff up for healing.

I’ve realized through this retreat that when you truly feel your pain it actually feels good. Yes I said it feels good because only after you completely feel it and let it move through you is when you can release it and let it go. After releasing, you feel lighter and more whole. You open up space to allow yourself to experience more love and joy and that feels good.

I will never again deny myself to fully feel my emotions. For this I am beyond grateful…

They say when you open yourself up and step fully into your vulnerability that’s when you can truly feel joy. Well, for the first time in my adult life I experienced real full blown Joy with my horse, and I carried that feeling back home with me and its the most amazing feeling. Now when I am feeling down I can tap into those memories and it brings the feeling of joy right back into my heart.

This experience has touched my heart in so many ways, and has helped me to become more self aware of myself and my emotions. One of the most powerful things about this retreat is the beautiful connection you can make with the horse that chooses to work with you, and the transformation of self that you can accomplish with the help of the horse and the facilitating team. I would highly recommend for everyone to try this retreat at least once in their life. Everyone has “stuff” that they could let go of.
Stepping into my vulnerability, learning how to be authentic with people and myself, letting go of beliefs and people that were no longer serving my life, learning how to process my emotions in a healthy way. The list goes on……. My soul is forever grateful.” ~ Kristin, Energy Worker