The Relational Herd
A place to practice the way we want to be in the world
Exploring What Becomes Possible Through Relationship
Horses invite us into a different pace of relationship.
Their steady presence encourages us to slow down, pay attention, and notice what is unfolding within us, around us, and between us.
At The Relational Herd, horses are our partners in practice. Together we explore what becomes possible as we cultivate the qualities that help us be in relationship—with ourselves, one another, and the more-than-human world.
As we spend time with the herd, people often discover:
New perspectives and possibilities.
Greater awareness of themselves and their relationships.
A deeper capacity for presence and discernment.
More flexibility in meeting uncertainty, challenge, and change.
Greater freedom to experiment with new ways of responding.
A stronger connection to what matters most.
No horse experience is required. Everyone belongs in the relational herd.
A Simple Practice
Our work is grounded in three simple invitations that can be carried beyond the barn.
Be Present
Practice not-knowing. Return to the present moment. Notice what is here—within you, around you, and between you.
Stay Curious
Linger with what is emerging. Meet what is here with friendliness. Wonder what else might be true, what matters, and what this moment might invite.
Take a Step
From a little more space, notice what feels possible. There is no single right response. Try one small move. See what happens. Let what you learn inform what comes next.
Together, we practice noticing, wondering, discerning, and experimenting with what might serve.
Explore Our Experiences
All People
Finding space to slow down, reflect, reconnect with what matters, and explore what might become possible.
Young People
Building confidence, emotional awareness, relational skills, and healthy connection through playful encounters with horses.
Families
Practicing connection, communication, co-regulation, cooperation, play, and shared positive experiences.
Teams & Leaders
Cultivating trust, presence, collaboration, collective care, relational courage, and adaptive leadership.
Every encounter is an invitation.
We cannot know exactly what will emerge.
We can practice meeting what is here with presence, curiosity, and friendliness.
We can listen for what the moment might invite.
We can make one small move, notice what happens, and learn together.
We are always becoming. This is a lifelong practice.
Be Present. Stay Curious. Take a Step.
Together, let’s discover what becomes possible through relationship.
Join Us
Please note: Our sessions are designed for learning with horses.
If therapeutic support is needed, Sydney also offers equine-facilitated psychotherapy.
About Us
Kristin is a social scientist. She is a certified Professional Equine Facilitated Learning Facilitator with The HERD Institute. She has also completed H.E.A.L.’s foundational Keys to Connection training and holds a Bronze-level HEAL Basic EFPL certification. She is a PATH Intl. member, has completed the PATH Intl. Fundamentals of Equine-assisted Learning course, and is in the process of completing the EAL certificate program. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Dominican University School of Social Work. Her life has been shaped by training with the Zen Peacemakers, whose practices of not-knowing, bearing witness, and compassionate action continues to inform her approach to relationship, learning, and community.
You can find Kristin working with communities, organizations and teams across the world and with the herd at Soul Barn at Serenbe in Chattahoochee Hills, GA.
Click here to learn more about and connect with Kristin!
Sydney is a licensed clinical social worker. She is a certified Equine Psychotherapist with Eagala. Sydney’s superpower is honoring, lifting up, and amplifying cultural differences and strengths. She recognizes people and communities as knowledge holders and pays attention to whose experiences are centered, whose voices may be missing, and how programs can be shaped with—not simply delivered to—the people they are intended to support.
This orientation is especially important in Sydney’s work with grandfamilies and with communities that have often been underserved, including within equine learning spaces. She believes that meaningful engagement begins with listening, relationship, and respect for the cultural histories, lived experiences, and existing strengths that people bring with them.
You can find Sydney in her private therapy practice Dean Counseling & Consulting in Houston, TX and with herds wherever she goes.
Click here to learn more about and connect with Sydney!
Friends and co-conspirators for over fifteen years, you can also find Kristin and Sydney together helping support programs to integrate trauma-informed and relational practices into their programs.
They are currently working with Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren to help them operationalize their program bringing grandfamilies and horses together for healing, learning, and growth.
You can see the learn more about the work they have been doing with communities at www.communitystrengths.org.
