Who is this workshop for?
Join us in Kouvola, Finland for Rewild Your Heart -and horse- (RYH) 3-day workshop! We will spend 3 days nurturing our wilder, more feral sides. During the workshop, we focus on our observational skills, self-awareness and our ability "to see" through the concept of belonging to nature.
This workshop is for anyone who wants to connect or re-connect with nature, to discover or re-discover how you are not only part of nature – but are nature. It is for those who wish to rewild their horses or simply understand what rewilding of horses in a more domesticated setting could be and look like. Everyone is welcome, with or without horse experience, who wants to try out another way of practicing mindfulness and experiencing a Rewilding Your Heart weekend!
Welcome to join us!
Katarina & Sonja
What is it about?
We will spend a lot of time outdoors, engaged in different kinds of experiential learning and mindfulness activities, in a facility that is in the process of rewilding. Besides observing the horses residing at the facility's land, we will observe the local ecology and wildlife at large, including ourselves in it. We will invite to reflections on what we can learn from observing horses on their own rewilding process, local wildlife and ourselves as being the observers, but also as being partners in mutual meetings in nature, being nature.
We will reflect on how we are responsible for what we bring with us when we seek experiences with nature and horses, and also on what we leave behind us when we return back to our everyday lives. We will ask ourselves questions as; who are we when we “visit” horses in nature? Who do we want to be when we "visit" there? Can we even “visit” horses in nature when we humans too are animals? When we too are nature?
Overview of the program:
On the first day we will meet for introductions and to get more familiar with the concept of Rewild(ing). We invite you to look at yourself as well as the horses and their environment through the lense of Rewild(ing). It is an invitation to start thinking about how we can rewild ourselves, as well as our horses and where they live.
On the second day we will practice self-awareness and through different experiential activities, explore the concept of the observer/observed and the context we are in. We will also talk about what we see in the horses, their behaviors, communication and social dynamic. There will be room for plenty of important discussions about horses and their contexts - and how we humans fit into this their world (and not only how we make horses fit into ours).
On the last day we will discuss and reflect on the differences between the environments we keep horses in, and if we can find new learnings to bring home to implement for the horses we live with or have in our lives. There will be discussions on how we might shift our views on what equine welfare is. Time is also dedicated for unpacking the weekend, for questions and discussions.
The Practicalities:
Cost: 460 Euro
Included in the price: All facilitation and education, a light lunch on Saturday & Sunday, snacks, tea and coffee on all days, a pre-webinar with a Q & A, a suggested reading list.
Not included: transport and accommodation.
Maximum numbers of participants is 12. The workshop will run with a minimum of 6 participants.
Educators and Facilitators: Katarina Lundgren & Sonja Lairila from MiMer Centre
Dates and Time: April 18, 3-6pm, April 19, 9am-5pm, and April 20, 9am-5pm.
Place: Kuovla, Finland
Languages: The main language on this workshop is English, but we can translate to Swedish and Finnish
Food: There are grocery stores and smaller restaurants approximately 5km from the facility. We offer a light lunch and snacks, coffee, tea and water during the training days. All food provided by the facility is plant-based. Please inform us about possible allergies.
Accommodation: We provide you with some suggestions.
You find more information about us and MiMer Centre at: www.mimercentre.org. There you also find our General Conditions.
Observing Free Living Ponies
Immerse yourself in observations of free living ponies and horses. We will discuss and practice both observational skills and the importance to know the observer.
Living like a Horse
See how ponies and horses choose to live when they have the freedom to do so. Will discuss horses as part of the ecology, but also have ethical discussions.
What can we Learn?
The learning will be a mix of guided lessons, discussions and individual and/or group observations of the day to day life of equines living life on their terms.
Example Curriculum
- Welcome to this Rewild your Heart workshop in Finland in April!
- Practicalities
- Introduction Webinar with Q & A (76:13)
- Discussions and Book Tips: Wild, Wilding, Re-Wilding
- Scientific articles on Feral Living Horses and Ponies
- Prepare Yourself: Pack List & Tips
- Introduce Yourself!
- Looping Back: Feedback, Sharing Videos & Photos and Certificate of Attendance
You will have the opportunity to learn about:
- Natural/normal horse behavior
- Ecology of the landscape
- Perceptions of equines
- Humans role in equine welfare
- Ideas for peaceful coexistence
- The ponies day to day lives, lived on their terms
- Equine welfare
- Learning from nature
- The equines role in the ecosystem
- Domestic/non domestic similarities and differences
- The role of equines in human cultures
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And so much more!
