Equine Energy in Costa Rica: Nine Years with Chola and Asuna

My life with these horses began in Ostional, Costa Rica. I bought both mares as two year olds, with Asuna joining our family during the COVID shutdown. I trained them both from the beginning, and over these past nine years, they have become part of our family’s story.

Sophie was three when we moved to Ostional. She grew up with the ponies living around the house, woven into our everyday lives. Being together gave me the opportunity to spend time with them, train them, and form a very strong bond with them.

Ostional was our home and our last temple space. So many volunteers came through, loving on these horses and sharing ceremonies with them. Chola and Asuna were there for fire ceremonies, gatherings, and quiet moments, becoming part of the memories people carried away.

My relationship with these mares grew through daily care, patience, and learning how to understand each other. Other people have cared for them during my travels, but their training has been almost entirely with me. When I am here, I work with them daily.

And they are two very different personalities.

Chola is very sweet and full of energy. When you ride her, there is a lot of life beneath you to hold and guide.

Asuna has that tart faced pony attitude. She has opinions, and enthusiasm for exercise is rarely one of them. Given the choice, she would prefer that everyone slow down. Considerably.

Keeping us together has taken some figuring out. When I left them in Ostional, I said goodbye in heaves of tears because I thought I might never see them again. Eventually, I was able to bring them to Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, and later, all the way across Costa Rica to the Caribbean side.

There have been escapes while I was in the United States, too. These two have nearly given me a heart attack more than once. But they have always been found, and through every move and uncertainty, I have managed to keep them with me.

Recently, both mares have given multiple riding lessons through Equine Energy, Horse Therapy for the Soul.

They have been amazing.

Occasionally, they look over at me as if to say, “Uh, Mom? What’s going on? What do I do?”

Then they listen, they wait, and they give their riders time to learn.

Unicorns. That is what they have been.

Energetic Chola and opinionated Asuna have both shown such patience and sweetness. Watching horses I have trained from the beginning make an effort to understand someone new makes me incredibly proud.

That is part of what Equine Energy means to me. Time with a horse invites us to notice our breathing, our confidence, and how we communicate. Sometimes we need to be clearer. Sometimes we need to soften. Sometimes we need to give each other a moment.

After nine years together, I get to watch other people discover a little of what makes these mares so special.

Chola and Asuna, thank you. For the ceremonies, the companionship, the patience, and every move we have made together. For everything you have given Sophie and me, and everything you are now sharing with your riders.

I am so grateful we are still together.

To meet the mares and learn about Equine Energy riding lessons in Costa Rica, contact me through Center of Mystic Arts for our current location and availability.