Finding the Baseline
Stress Recovery, Emotional Regulation & Nervous System Awareness
Service Description
First responders, medical professionals, and frontline workers often operate in environments that require constant alertness and rapid decision-making. While this heightened state can be necessary on duty, remaining in chronic hyper-vigilance over time can contribute to exhaustion, emotional fatigue, burnout, and difficulty reconnecting outside of work. This specialized clinic offers a hands-on, somatic learning experience designed to help participants better understand and regulate their nervous systems through interaction with horses. As highly perceptive prey animals, horses instinctively respond to the internal state of those around them. They mirror tension, adrenaline, and emotional incongruence, while naturally gravitating toward calm, grounded presence. Through guided ground exercises, participants will learn how to consciously shift from states of stress and hyper-arousal back into regulation and safety. Together, we explore concepts such as neuroception, emotional regulation, nervous system awareness, and the physical impact of stress on communication and connection. Participants will leave with practical tools to help manage high-stress environments, improve emotional resilience, and transition more effectively between work and home life. This clinic is designed to support sustainable well-being, self-awareness, and authentic connection in both professional and personal settings. Water and lunch provided. No horse experience necessary. Completely ground-based (no riding).
Cancellation Policy
BOOKING POLICY Advance booking is required for all experiences and clinics. Participants may pay online by credit card at the time of booking or select an offline payment option. Offline payments may be made via Venmo or Zelle and must be received within 48 hours of booking to secure the reservation. Bookings are not considered confirmed until payment has been received. Willow River Equestrian reserves the right to release unpaid reservations after 48 hours. Bookings are subject to availability. Participants may select from available dates and times offered by Willow River Equestrian. If booking for a group, the individual making the reservation is responsible for communicating all relevant information and policies to other participants. CANCELLATION & RESCHEDULING POLICY Cancellations made 7 days or more before the scheduled session will receive a full refund. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the scheduled session are non-refundable. Participants may request to reschedule their booking up to 48 hours before their scheduled session, subject to availability. No-shows and same-day cancellations are non-refundable. If Willow River Equestrian must cancel or reschedule a session due to weather, horse welfare considerations, facilitator illness, or other unforeseen circumstances, participants will be offered the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. WAITLIST POLICY If no suitable dates are available, participants may join a waitlist and will be contacted if additional availability becomes available. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee a reservation. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION No horse experience is necessary unless otherwise stated. All activities are ground-based (no riding) unless specifically indicated in the service description. Participants are required to wear closed-toe shoes and clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Horse welfare and participant safety are our highest priorities. Willow River Equestrian reserves the right to end a session or remove a participant whose behavior compromises safety or the well-being of the horses.
Contact Details
Willow River Equestrian, 12640 Little Tujunga Canyon Road, Lake View Terrace, CA, USA
(646) 522-1754
elisabeth@willowriverequestrian.com