Touched By A Horse

In this episode of Touched by a Horse , hosts Melissa Pierce and Dane Cheek catch up on life at their Canadian farm—from home renovations and wood-chopping adventures to the joy of welcoming friends and graduates into their new space. Melissa shares a moving story from her Gestalt training, where her horse Gabriel powerfully embodied a client’s past trauma, demonstrating the extraordinary ways hor...

In this solo episode of Touched by a Horse, Melisa dives deep into the powerful theme of progress over perfection. Drawing on a recent coaching experience with a client, Melissa explores how perfectionism—though often rooted in integrity and high standards—can spill into every area of life, creating stress and disconnection. Through personal stories, business insights, and lessons from horses, she...

Welcome back, everyone. Today on the show, Melisa and Dane continue their immigration tale, but this time with a bit of a nasty twist. Fortunately, when obstacles appear, Melisa can navigate with composure and set things right. Also, is there a moose on the loose?? Listen in to find out.  Resources Mentioned:  Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse Find an Equine Gestaltist near...

Hold on to your hats! Today, Melisa and Dane sit down to share the story of how they immigrated their horses to Canada, and let’s just say, it’s not all smooth sailing. Between the grouchy border patrol, hours-long lines, and finding homes for animals unable to join, it’s been an adventure we can all laugh about now. Listen in to learn and laugh along. Resources Mentioned:  Learn more about t...

Welcome back to Touched By a Horse! Today, Melisa and Dane sit down to chat about this year’s student graduation and how things are looking a bit different these days. Plus, get the lowdown on their new venture into hay farming. Uh oh, is that rain??  Resources Mentioned:  Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse Find an Equine Gestaltist near you! Connect with us on Facebook Conn...

On today’s episode, Melisa speaks with EGC graduate and Gestalt coach Kaite Lorentz. This varied and insightful conversation covers Kaite’s focal points as a coach: helping equine professionals to avoid burnout, regaining equine confidence after trauma, and the new podcast she’s launching (The Confident Rider with JoyRidge) as a free resource to cover it all! Be sure to stay tuned.  Resources...

Today Melisa is joined by a graduate and friend, Dana Thomas! Dana is a practitioner at her beautiful Thomas Ridge Ranch, where she specializes in helping her clients move through trauma, utilizing her background with abusive relationships. Today on the podcast, Dana shares what she’s learned about a therapeutic technique called brainspotting and how it can help to release deep-seated emotional pa...

Hold on to your hats, everyone! On this week’s episode of Touched By A Horse, Melisa and Dane continue their tale of Canadian immigration and it’s one wild ride. You won’t want to miss a moment of this death-defying adventure north. Plus, wish a very Happy Birthday to Dane and celebrate with this very exciting episode.  Resources Mentioned:  Learn more about the work of Touched By A Hors...

Have you ever immigrated to another country? Have you ever immigrated to another country with a farm full of animals?? Today on the podcast, Melisa and Dane begin the tale of what it’s taken to uproot their lives and move to their new farm in British Columbia. Something tells me that with Melisa’s can-do attitude and Dane’s sense of humor, these two are making it happen and laughing all the way. L...

Great news! The Touched By A Horse Podcast is back! Have you missed us? We’ve certainly missed you. Saddle up with Melisa and Dane as they share some behind-the-scenes stories of what their big move to Canada has been like so far. Stay tuned for an all-new season of the podcast sharing more updates from Melisa and student success stories alike! Welcome back!  Resources Mentioned:  Learn...

If it’s seemed like the podcasts have been few and far between lately, it’s because some BIG changs are happening on the ranch. Join Melisa and Dane as they sit down and explain why the podcast is taking a short break and all the exciting changes that are in the works. We thank you for spending time with us on the podcast and are excited to be back again soon! Resources Mentioned:  Support Ho...

Today on the podcast we have a very special interview with an EGC graduate based in the UK, our dear friend Liz Lane! Liz has spent her life working with horses and has now harnessed the power of gestalt to help and heal others. Listen in as Liz speaks deeply about her universal philosophies and shares the beauty of Wales! Time to book a flight?  Resources Mentioned:  Learn more about He...

An election year can be a tense time for everyone. Today Melisa sits down with us to talk about why, how to navigate difficult conversations, and the importance of listening to one another. No matter where your vote is going, you won’t want to miss this deeply valuable episode.  Resources Mentioned:  Support Hope Through Horses Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse Find an Equi...

Dane is back and we’re talking birthdays! Join us as we celebrate both Melisa and Dane as well as catch up on what’s going on around the ranch. Between some tense scares and some healing magic, you won’t want to miss this episode!  Resources Mentioned:  Learn more about Mindful Harmony Coaching Support Hope Through Horses Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse Find an Equine Ges...

Welcome back to the Touched By A Horse podcast! Today, Melisa is joined by Zoe Moraitis, an EGC graduate who will graduate from the master's program this December! Zoe is a very special member of the TBAH family, and we can’t wait to share her story with you. Listen in to hear about her special equine connections and the work she’s doing to help young adults.  Resources Mentioned:  Learn...

What if you knew your horse’s personality and temperament Well, thanks to a book Melisa has written, you can! Equusology is the art of human-equine relationships. Until now, there have been plenty of personality tests for humans, but nothing has helped humans understand their own personalities and those of their horses. Listen in as Melisa talks about writing this book and how Equusology can help...

Today on Touched By A Horse, Melisa talks with us about her book, “Eponalisa”. Listen in to hear about the inspiration behind the book, some of the lessons learned, and what readers have to say! Plus, Melisa gives tips for those looking to publish their own books. Listen in!  Resources Mentioned:  Purchase Eponalisa Support Hope Through Horses Learn more about the work of Touched By A Ho...

Today on the podcast, we welcome good friend and EGC graduate, Coach Jane Salko. Jane chats with Melisa about how she helps industry professionals fight burnout, her upcoming retreats, and how she met the love of her life…her horse, Paul! Listen in to hear about how YOU can work with Jane.  Resources Mentioned:  Work with Jane Support Hope Held By A Horse Support Hope Through Horses Lear...

Welcome home, Melisa and Dane! And welcome back, listeners. Today, our favorite couple gives us the rundown on their month-long European adventure. Listen in for tales of planes, boats, Beatles, and more!  Resources Mentioned:  Support Hope Through Horses Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse Find an Equine Gestaltist near you! Connect with us on Facebook Connect with us on Ins...

In life, it becomes easy to get so caught up in taking care of others that we forget to nurture ourselves. Does this sound like you? Today Melisa chats with us about nurturance and what has helped her to better nurture herself. How will you nurture yourself today? Resources Mentioned:  Support Hope Through Horses Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse Find an Equine Gestaltist near y...

Do you have a negative self-belief, and you’re not sure why? Today Melisa delves into “introjects” and how moments from our past can hold us back in the present. Listen in to hear how Melisa has worked with previous clients to overcome this challenge.  Resources Mentioned:  Learn more about Spark Equine Support Hope Through Horses Learn more about the work of Touched By A Horse Find an E...

Many of us have heard of and even sorted ourselves using the Myers-Briggs Personality Test to better understand ourselves and our partners. But did you know you can now test your horses? Join Melisa and Dane today as they break down the meaning of their own Myers-Briggs results and how Melisa translated this understanding into her book, Equusology, co-written with Caroline Fitzpatrick. Typology he...

Today we are revisiting Melisa's fascinating lesson around horses and somatics! We learn about Melisa’s journey into this work and how public interest in the subject has evolved over the years. You could say her talks on the topic went from “come again?” to standing room only… Join us to learn the importance of not only understanding our own chakras but our horses’ as well. This energetic exchange...

Today, we welcome Monica Hendrix to the podcast! Monica is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an EGC graduate. Listen in as Monica tells us about her work with first responders, healers, and why it’s so important for those in service of others to keep their cups full. You won’t want to miss this impactful conversation.  Resources Mentioned:  Learn more about Spark Equine Suppor...

Dane is back on the podcast today! Join us as Melisa tells the story of the very first time she rode a horse and how it changed her life forever. Melisa also pulls this week’s card from her Whisper’s From a Horse’s Heart card deck. Will its wisdom bring you solace? Tune in to find out. Resources Mentioned:  Buy the Whispers From A Horse's Heart card deck Support Hope Through Horses Learn more...