Horse Healing with Margrit Coates
Discovering the Power of Simply Being with Horses
When was the last time you approached your horse without wanting anything? No training goals, no competition prep, just pure presence? It's a challenging question in today's achievement-focused equestrian world, but one that lies at the heart of Margrit Coates' approach to horse healing.
The Accidental Pioneer
Margrit's journey into horse healing began with a simple request from a terminally ill client: could the peace she found through healing be extended to her horse? This question led to a startling discovery – not a single book existed about healing specifically for animals. Rather than see this as a roadblock, Margrit saw an opportunity.
What followed seems almost mystical: two insistent cats, a cleared desk at Random House Publishing, and a series of "coincidences" that would lead to her groundbreaking book Healing for Horses—the first of its kind in the world.
What Horse Healing Really Means
"Healing is not about performing miracles," Margrit emphasizes. There's no promise of eternal life or instant fixes. Instead, it's about something more fundamental: recognizing horses as spiritual beings and connecting with them on a soul level.
The process is deceptively simple:
Gentle hand contact or sometimes no touch at all
Complete inner stillness
No agenda or expectations
Working through unconditional love
Allowing the healing energy to flow naturally
Beyond Traditional Care
One thing becomes clear in conversation with Margrit: horse healing isn't about replacing conventional care. Every client must confirm veterinary consultation before she'll begin work. "I'm not going to get involved with horses suffering that might simply need a new farrier or teeth done," she states firmly.
This grounding in practical horse care, combined with her emphasis on energy and connection, creates a bridge between conventional medicine and complementary healing. It's not either/or – it's both/and.
The Transformation Process
The results can be profound. Margrit shares a recent example from the Netherlands, where a mare carrying years of trauma showed remarkable transformation. Within days, photographs revealed the shift from distant, sad eyes to a bright, engaging presence. "She's calling to people now," her caretakers reported, describing a horse who had rediscovered joy in connection.
Breaking Down Barriers
Perhaps most surprisingly, Margrit suggests that healing ability isn't limited to a gifted few. "Everyone can do this with the right mindset," she asserts. The key lies in approaching horses without an agenda, through unconditional love rather than performance demands.
What stands in our way? Often, it's our modern lifestyle. "We're all connected to our phones 24/7," Margrit observes, noting how this constant connection paradoxically disconnects us from deeper awareness. Her workshops require participants to switch off their phones – creating space for a different kind of connection.
The Simple Question That Changes Everything
At the heart of Margrit's approach lies a disarmingly simple question: "Who are you?"
When she asks this of horses, something profound happens. "That instantly makes a difference," she explains, "because that horse might never have been seen as a spiritual being."
She shares a poignant story of a traumatized mare at a rescue centre. Kneeling beside the horse, Margrit simply said, "I see you. I know you."
Whether you embrace the concept of energy healing or not, there's undeniable value in Margrit's core message – the importance of approaching horses with genuine presence, without immediate goals or demands.
Looking Forward
In an era where equestrian sports face increasing scrutiny over welfare concerns, Margrit's approach offers a valuable perspective. She challenges us to question not just how we train our horses, but how we relate to them at the most fundamental level.
"Let's step into our highest power," she urges, "of being a species that understands this." It's an invitation to move beyond the mechanical approach to horsemanship that dominates much of the equestrian world towards something more profound – a connection that transforms both horse and human.
After all, who knows what might change when we stop asking, "What can you do for me?" and start asking, "Who are you?"
A Note for the Skeptics
If terms like "energy work" and "soul connection" make you raise an eyebrow, you're not alone. As curious equestrians, we value critical thinking and evidence-based approaches. But strip away the terminology, and what remains is a fundamental truth that any horse person can appreciate: our everyday rushing, agenda-driven interactions with horses often get in the way of truly seeing them. Whether you embrace the concept of energy healing or not, there's undeniable value in Margrit's core message – the importance of approaching horses with genuine presence, without immediate goals or demands. Even the most pragmatic among us might find that taking a moment to simply be with our horses, free from expectations, opens up new possibilities in our relationships with them.
Want to learn more about horse healing? Margrit teaches workshops internationally, including upcoming sessions in the Netherlands and Czech Republic. Her groundbreaking books, including "Healing for Horses," "Horses Talking," and "Connecting with Horses," have been translated into multiple languages and continue to influence the field of animal healing worldwide.
Social Media Instagram: @margrithealer
Website: margritcoates.com