A Few Truths to Hold Onto
You are not broken.
You are whole, even in the middle of it.
Healing doesn’t have to be rushed.
Your nervous system sets the pace.
You don’t have to carry it alone.
There is space here to lay down what feels heavy.
- Lighter and more regulated
- Clearer in your thoughts and emotions
- More connected to your body
- Steady instead of overwhelmed
In partnership with horses, we gently explore what feels heavy, stuck, or unresolved. Sessions are experiential — not just conversational — allowing awareness and emotion to surface naturally and at your pace.
You do not need horse experience. Most sessions happen on the ground.
After your sesssion, you may feel…
A 90-Minute Private Experience
1:1 Equine Gestalt Sessions
- Ground skills and relationship building
- Riding fundamentals (when appropriate)
- Awareness and communication
- Trust between horse and rider
Whether you are new to horses or experienced in the saddle, these sessions focus on connection over control — helping you develop confidence, communication, and presence.
Together we work on…
Building Confidence Through Partnership
Connected Horsemanship Lessons
- Share the weight they’ve been carrying in a safe, supported environment
- Slow down and regulate their nervous system
- Reconnect with their voice, strength, and sense of self
- Build meaningful, authentic community
Throughout the year, Leave It in the Sand offers small group gatherings and immersive retreat experiences designed to create space for reflection, connection, and steady transformation.
In community, you are reminded that you are not alone in what you carry.
Together we’ll…
Healing in Community
Group Experiences & Retreats
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need horse experience to participate?
Do I need horse experience to participate?
No. You do not need any prior horse experience. Most Equine Gestalt sessions take place on the ground, and there is no riding required. The focus is on presence and interaction — not horsemanship skill.
What happens during a session?
What happens during a session?
Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes and is guided at your pace. Together, we explore what feels heavy or unresolved, often with the horses present as partners in the process. The work is experiential — meaning you may notice shifts in your body and awareness, not just your thoughts.
Is this therapy?
Is this therapy?
Equine Gestalt Coaching is not traditional psychotherapy, though Crista brings her background as a certified social worker into the work. This approach blends experiential processing, somatic awareness, and equine interaction to support healing in a different way.
If you are currently in therapy, this work can often complement that process.
What should I wear or bring?
What should I wear or bring?
Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes suitable for being outdoors. Sessions often take place in the pasture or barn environment. You are welcome to bring water and a journal if that feels supportive.
How many sessions will I need?
How many sessions will I need?
Every person’s journey is different. Some clients benefit from a single session around a specific issue, while others choose to engage in ongoing work for deeper support. We can discuss what feels aligned after your first visit.
Do you offer group experiences?
Do you offer group experiences?
Yes. Throughout the year, Leave It in the Sand offers small group gatherings and retreat experiences. These provide a safe, intentional space for healing in community. Dates and themes vary.
What if I feel nervous before my first session?
What if I feel nervous before my first session?
That’s completely normal. Many clients feel unsure before their first visit. The work begins with safety — there is no pressure, no performance, and no expectation that you “do it right.”
You are simply invited to arrive as you are.
Thanks for singing up!
Receive gentle updates from Crista, including session openings, upcoming retreats, Operation Reconnect announcements, and occasional reflections from the barn.
No noise. No overwhelm. Just meaningful updates when they matter.
Join the Leave It in the Sand List
Stay connected to the pasture
Healing doesn’t have to be dramatic.
It doesn’t have to be rushed.
And it doesn’t have to be done alone.
If something here resonates, trust that.
In the pasture, you’ll find a steady, guided space to slow down, lay down what feels heavy, and reconnect with your wholeness, in partnership with horses.
Are You Ready to Begin?
