The Touch of a Mustang | Wild Horses and Healing With Nature

How to Find Your Way with Horses with Chiara Maria | Episode 81

Chiara Maria's instagram account "grow_with_horses" embodies all she is and the conversation we have. Chiara learned from a young age that she would not be content following the traditional path society laid out for her. She chose to walk off the path and build a life with horses. Spending time in traditional horsemanship, before realizing her horse Descot needed something different, she walked away from it all. That's when she leaned increasingly more into her intuition as she developed her own unique and aligned way to live a life with horses. In this episode you will learn: * Why acceptance is one of the greatest gifts for both you and your horse * How we bring our fears into our relationship with horses and how you can let go of them * Steps you can take to find your purpose in this life * Why your unique skills, talents, and contributions are needed If you are searching for peace and healing, or a better relationship with your horse that is peaceful and aligned, this episode is for you. Connect with Chiara: Website: https://chiara-maria.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grow_with_horses/ Support the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang ⁠⁠⁠⁠Help more people discover the healing power of horses: Subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with a friend. Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thetouchofamustang.org/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang

Protecting Wild Horses from Wild Horse Annie to Now with George Brauneis | Episode 80

What does it take to dedicate your entire life to wild horses? George Brauneis has been fighting for mustangs since before he could walk. As one of "Wild Horse Annie's Kids" who wrote letters to Congress in 1971 to pass the Wild Horse and Burro Act, George now cares for 26 mustangs using a philosophy he calls "Becoming Catchable To Your Horse." At six years old, George was one of tens of thousands of children inspired by Wild Horse Annie to write letters to Congress, helping pass the landmark Wild Horse and Burro Act of 1971. After a career in aerospace engineering working on projects including the International Space Station, B2 Bomber, and Global Hawk drone, George returned to rural Colorado post-9/11 to come full circle to his roots: horses. Today, he operates Eagles and Wild Horses Ranch, where he cares for 26 mustangs using QiGong energy work and a purely positive training approach to help traumatized mustangs feel safe and trust humans again. In this episode, you'll discover: * Wild Horse Annie's Legacy: How a 1971 childhood letter-writing campaign helped save America's wild horses * What it takes to feed, train, and provide sanctuary for 26 horses * Why George doesn't pity horses and focuses on empowering instead of feeling sorry for them * Practical ways to support wild horse advocacy, even if you don't own land or horses This episode is for you if: You care about wild horse protection, want to understand what it takes to provide sanctuary for mustangs, or are looking for ways to get involved in advocacy—no matter where you live. Connect with George: Website: https://www.wildhorserefuge.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.brauneis Support his work:https://ko-fi.com/lovemustangs Friends of the Mustangs: https://www.friendsofthemustangs.org/ Support the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang⁠⁠ [https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang] Help more people discover the healing power of horses: Leave a 5-star review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://thetouchofamustang.org/⁠⁠⁠ [https://thetouchofamustang.org/] Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/] Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang]

How Horses Transform Lives and Inspire Stories with Children's Author Cheryl Olsten | Episode 79

What if a horse could not just teach you patience, trust, and presence in ways nothing else can, but change your entire world for the better? Cheryl Olsten, a Pennsylvania-based children's book author, shares how horses transformed her from a reluctant rider into a passionate advocate as she has felt personal transformation and care from horses. She has also witnessed the miracles they play a part in, such as nonverbal children speaking their first words on horseback. This conversation will expand the way you see horses and their power to heal. Cheryl's picture books include Big Wishes for Little Feet, inspired by her horse Lafitte. Lafitte's winnings have raised significant funds for the Equus Foundation, where Lafitte served as their first ambassador. Before writing children's books, Cheryl spent twelve years as publisher of New Jersey Life magazine, collaborating with award-winning writers and photographers. She lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania with her husband Steven and their dog Nugget, and continues to advocate for horse rescue and protection through her storytelling. In this episode, you'll discover: * Why the difficult or abused horses are often the horses that are the most valuable in the end * Why horses can help autistic children, trauma survivors, and anyone struggling * How three separate horses played a pivotal role in three different areas of Cheryl's life * How writing children's books became Cheryl's way to protect horses by inspiring the next generation * Why you don't need to own a horse to experience their healing power and where to start Support the podcast: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang⁠ [https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang] Help more people discover the healing power of horses: Leave a 5-star review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: ⁠⁠https://thetouchofamustang.org/⁠⁠ [https://thetouchofamustang.org/] Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/] Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang] Connect with Cheryl: Website: cherylolsten.com [http://cherylolsten.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylolsten/ Amazon link: amazon.com/author/cherylolsten [http://amazon.com/author/cherylolsten]

Australian Brumbies Are Being Gunned Down with Kiki Sjoberg | Episode 78

This episode is an emergency release, as it is anticipated that aerial culling of the Snowy River Brumbies will begin by the Australian government on June 9, 2026. Perhaps like me, you grew up watching "The Man From Snowy River," in which the wild Brumbies were a central point of conflict in the story. Sadly, the hate towards the Brumbies and the desire to rid the land of them has not ended. In the name of environmentalism Australia's National Parks are targeting Brumbies. The government states there are tens of thousands wild horses roaming the Snowy Mountains, but those on the ground have seen otherwise. Despite experts testifying in favor of the Brumbies, the Australian government appears to disregard expert testimony and instead continues to move forward with plans to eliminate Brumbies on the land. Not by roundups and rehoming. In Australia, they shoot Brumbies from helicopters, reportedly in the thousands. Often inhumanely, leaving horses to suffer extensively before death. Kiki Sjoberg, a wild horse photographer, comes on the podcast to tell us what she has seen has happened to the Brumbies,and why if it doesn't change, they may one day be completely gone, leaving a land without a central piece of their heritage. Where Brumbies bodies lay dead and rotting, environmental groups are moving in to build a massive $12 billion hydroelectric project, taking away and destroying wild land in the process. This sounds like a $12 billion conflict of interest. Connect with Kiki Sjoberg, learn more about what is happening and help spread the world through the power of social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brumby_strong/ Support the Podcast: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang⁠ [https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang] Love the podcast?Leave a review so others seeking healing can find the show! Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: ⁠https://thetouchofamustang.org/⁠ [https://thetouchofamustang.org/] Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/] Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang]

Why Everyone Should Know About Horses and Mental Health with Kathleen Saucier | Episode 77

What if the thing you need to begin healing is to spend time with a horse? Kathleen Saucier is the co-founder of Samson's Strength Sustainable Veterans Project, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing horses and pairing them with veterans who need the same kind of second chance. The Touch of a Mustang a 2026 Horses for Mental Health Ambassador, in Support of Samson's Strength Sustainable Veterans Project, just completed an incredible month of May—raising awareness, building connections, and proving that when people come together around a shared mission, transformation happens. In this reflective conversation, Kathleen and Shalyce look back on what the Horses for Mental Health campaign accomplished: not just funds raised, but connections made between ambassadors who had never heard of each other, stories shared that changed how people see horses and healing, and a community built around the belief that awareness itself is healing. The most powerful momentum changes from competition to collaboration. In this episode, you'll discover:• Why awareness is just as important as funding when it comes to horses and mental health • How the May 2026 campaign created unexpected connections between ambassadors who had never heard of each other • Why "touching where it hurts" is essential for healing and the trust it requires—for both horses and humans in therapy • The differences that occur when connection becomes more important than competition • The stories that are sticking with us. This episode is for anyone who is interested in how horses can guide us in healing our mental state. Connect with Kathleen and Support her work: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sssvp.org Website: ⁠⁠sssvp.org⁠⁠ [https://www.sssvp.org] Instagram:  @samsonsstrengthveteransproject  HMH Campain: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/campaigns/samsons-strength-sustainable-veterans-project-inc-501-c3/ Horses for Mental Health Campaign: https://horsesformentalhealth.org [https://horsesformentalhealth.org] Get your free guide: Download the 5-Minute Emotional Reset: https://thetouchofamustang.org/get-your-free-reset/ [https://thetouchofamustang.org/get-your-free-reset/] Ready for personalized support? Book a free 30-minute consultation (only 5 spots available per month): https://calendly.com/thetouchofamustang/free-30-minute-coaching-session [https://calendly.com/thetouchofamustang/free-30-minute-coaching-session] Deepen your practice: Get the Emotional Mastery Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Mastery-Journal-Shalyce-Cluff/dp/B0DQXV59SW [https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Mastery-Journal-Shalyce-Cluff/dp/B0DQXV59SW] Support the Podcast: https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang [https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang] Love the podcast? Leave a review so others seeking healing can find the show! Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: https://thetouchofamustang.org/ [https://thetouchofamustang.org/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/ [https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang [https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang]