HeartSong Equine

01/30/2025

Today is bittersweet. Moments like this always are. Today is going home day. 💕

Hawke has captured my heart in so many ways. His resilience, will, and spirit—he is the definition of strength. But more than that, he’s shown me the power of true community. Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through the hands that show up, the hearts that care, and the unwavering support that lifts us when we need it most.

Healing is never linear. It comes with ups and downs, moments of triumph, and challenges that push us to dig deeper. Rehab has taught me creativity, the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone, and the value of continuous learning. It’s about trust—trust in the horse, in ourselves, and in the process.

Hawke is one of those rare souls who leaves an imprint on your heart. His journey has been a testament to strength, patience, and the power of showing up every day, no matter how uncertain the road ahead may seem. Healing isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, and it’s built on the bonds we create along the way. 💖

Today marks the next chapter in Hawke’s story—a new beginning. He’s going home to the perfect person who will continue to support him as he transitions out of his splint, gains strength, and finds stability. His healing continues, and while the road ahead is long, he is exactly where he needs to be.

If you’d like to support Hawke and Paige on this journey, you can contribute here: https://gofund.me/029e15bc
Any donations will help Paige for long term medical costs. 🙏🏻💖

01/27/2025

Bloodwork is a snapshot of health at a specific moment, which can offer valuable insights and trends. However, it’s important to remember that a single blood test doesn’t tell the whole story and consistency is important to understanding patterns and make informed decisions.

This article on insulin testing explains why we can’t rely solely on bloodwork and emphasizes the importance of looking at the bigger picture.

Are the insulin and ACTH levels in your horse correct? Is he truly insulin resistant and does he really have Cushing's disease?

01/22/2025

The myofascial lines offer an incredible perspective on the interconnectedness of the body. While they are a 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 point, diminishing the framework entirely would overlook its value in understanding the body's functional dynamics.

When I first learned human and equine anatomy in school, we were taught about individual muscles—their origin, insertion, and function. But the body doesn’t work that way. Muscles don’t function in isolation; they’re part of an interconnected system supported by fascia.

The myofascial lines expand on this by deepening our perspective from individual muscles to larger, interconnected bands that influence all areas of the body. They’re like the interstates and highways connecting states and major cities, facilitating communication, and allowing flow across vast distances. They help us see how seemingly unrelated areas of the body are actually working together as part of a cohesive whole. 🛣

For practitioners, these lines can guide assessments and offer insights into how restrictions or discomfort in one area can influence distant areas. For example, a restriction in the hindquarters might influence the opposite shoulder or tightness in the poll could affect the pelvis, topline, limbs, and even the feet (or vice versa). For guardians, understanding these connections offers insight into why addressing the whole body—not just the symptom—leads to longer-lasting results.

However, just as highways and interstates are only part of a country’s road system, the myofascial lines are only part of the story. When we expand our perspective even further, we see the bigger, more intricate picture—just as you can’t explore the full depth of a country by only traveling its highways, we can't fully understand the body by focusing on these primary pathways alone. True freedom of movement requires us to venture off the highways and explore the city streets, country roads, alleys, and hidden routes of the fascial network. These are the subtle, detailed pathways where each horse’s unique story is held. These smaller fascial routes represent the compensations, adaptations, and nuances that aren't always captured by the larger myofascial lines. This is where the true magic of the body’s connection lies.

Bodywork is an essential part of this journey, but it isn’t enough on its own. To restore balance and freedom, we must also focus on feet and movement—intentional, thoughtful movement that teaches the fascia new blueprints for healthy function. The feet, like the foundation of a house, provide stability and alignment that influence the entire system. Through purposeful movement, we help the body unwind compensations, rebuild resilience, and restore fluidity.

What’s most exciting is the growing collaboration around these ideas. Professionals across disciplines are coming together to expand our understanding of fascia, movement, and the body as a whole. These shared insights deepen our collective knowledge and empower us to better support the horses we love.

While the myofascial lines are not the whole story, they provide an essential framework for understanding key aspects of the body’s interconnectedness. They’re a starting point—a map of the highways—but true understanding comes from venturing into the intricate details of the fascial network. This is where we uncover the profound connections that make each body unique. 🌀

✨Want to dive deeper? Join the conversation at the Holistic Horse Collective and upcoming classes at HeartSong. Or connect with these amazing practitioners who are sharing their expertise and collaborations on fascia and whole horse wellness! 🤝🏻❣️

Here's some of my favs:

Balance Through Movement Method
www.balancethroughmovementmethod.com

Yasmin Stuart Equine Physio- www.yasminstuartequinephysio.com/training-hub-webinars

The Equine Documentalist- equineeducationhub.thinkific.com/courses/hoof-neurosensory-posture

Holistic Equine

Keep your curiosity alive! 📚🔍✨

01/21/2025

💕

Here's a fun little reminder that BTMM 𝒊𝒔 ‘considering the whole horse’. On our last trainer call, it was the reverberating energy through the conversation. And why all things must be considered while addressing pathologies; yet often overlooked through compartmentalizing.

I know, because I didn't know, until I knew. I know, because I see rehabilitation plans that skip over crucial aspects that would address the root cause of injury. I know, because I have personally been led down the path (by my own) of discovering the way in which he needed me to learn and show up for him in all realms.

What he led me through addressing before I was able to check the last box... which was FEET.

He had a wonderful environment with movement and friends. His nutrition was adjusted to forage based with herbal supports. (Thanks HeartSong Equine for facilitating both of those, and more). He had physical support which embodied BTMM, LNRT, healing horsemanship & functional movement.

But - without having feet to stand on, we will always be chasing pathology. And sometimes that means learning how to have hard conversations; navigating through finding 𝑛𝑜𝑡 what *we* think is right based on our beliefs of specific methodologies, but listening to the horse and finding what works best for them; and finding the right practitioners to collaborate with is equally as important and sometimes difficult territory to traverse!

I also think the way in which we speak to those on our platforms is incredibly important. To operate from a place of peace and safety is a love based frequency. To extend shame on folks for their place of education on any of these topics is a low place to inhabit. Truly, when we know better, we do better. That's where our standard should be as professionals in this industry.

We aren't meant to pretend to have all the answers - we never will anyway. The notion of over complicating things to the point of making the information feel in-accessible to the masses is a gross form of attempting to gate keep information while feeding an unhealthy ego; and frankly, it's so rampant in the equine world, and that alone does the disservice to the horses.

My point being - for those who are overwhelmed with the feeling like you don't have enough knowledge/education/skill to advocate and make changes for your horse with your current skill set; understand this, you do know your horse best, and it's okay to have just a basic understanding of concepts, principles and methods regarding our horses health care, so you can then find the team that's best suited for supporting you. Having tools to help recognize dysfunction, only provides a clearer path to function.

To receive help and guidance from many incredible practitioners, through all realms of healthcare, in a safe place where you will not be shamed for where you’re at in your journey, head to holistichorsecollective.com and join. 💖

Give your horse their wings, join BTMM 💖balancethroughmovementmethod.com

01/15/2025

𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 🌟

As equine professionals and guardians, we are always becoming—better riders, better healers, better partners for our horses. We seek more knowledge, refine our skills, and strive for growth. But in that pursuit, it’s easy to forget the art of simply 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠.

Horses don’t dwell in the past or chase the future. They exist fully in the present moment, inviting us to do the same. When we slow down, breathe, and meet them where they are—not where we think we should be—we unlock the deepest connection.

I know this is something I’m personally working on—slowing down, taking moments of quiet, and allowing space for presence. Finding joy in the now, not just in the progress. Because the truth is, the best horse professionals aren’t just the most skilled or knowledgeable; they’re the ones who can be fully present and listen.

Progress doesn’t come from force or impatience; it comes from presence. The greatest transformations happen not just in what we do, but in how we show up.

01/13/2025

Today is my dad’s birthday, always a day of reflection for me. He’s been gone for 13 years now. Our story was full of beautiful moments, as well as some of the hardest. He left when I was 18, and we never found our way back to each other. But what remains—the love and little things—are what I hold most vividly.

He knew my love for horses, so he’d take me to the barn when he worked. I’d watch as he placed his hands on them, working his healing magic through acupuncture and chiropractic, whistling softly as he moved. He was always whistling when he helped others. That sound, that joy, is forever etched in my memory.

And when he was done, they let me ride the other horses. Just a young girl, no training, no fear—bareback and free, cantering across the arena with nothing but pure happiness in my heart. That was my first taste of the kind of joy that lives deep in the soul, the kind that never really leaves.

Today, I reflect with gratitude. For the love of animals he shared with me. For the healing he modeled. For the way he unknowingly shaped the life I live now. Because when I’m with the horses, when I’m supporting others, no matter what chaos the world may hold, I am grounded in peace. In unconditional love and joy. My heart sings a little song 🎶 just has his did all those years ago.

Our stories—the joyful, the painful, the in-between—they matter. The conversations we avoid, the ones we think are too hard, too vulnerable… those are the ones that plant the deepest seeds. And in time, something beautiful blooms.🌹

That’s what the Holistic Horse Collective is all about. A community that embraces the full journey. That shares wisdom, lifts each other up, heals together. It’s a space where conversations spark growth, where shared experiences become light for someone else’s path.

Memberships allow us to bring in practitioners from around the world—each with their own story, their own healing gifts to share. If this space speaks to you, if you’re ready to step into a community that holds it all—the joy, the learning, the transformation—we’d love to have you.

https://www.holistichorsecollective.com

Here’s to the seeds we plant, the stories we tell, and the beautiful things still to come. 💛

01/12/2025

A Few Steps Closer to Home 💕

Hawke arrived at HeartSong in September after a trailer injury left him with significant injuries. Today, we’re celebrating just how far he’s come!

✨ His wounds have fully healed

✨ He’s transitioning from a splint to a brace

✨ Pain meds have been significantly reduced with the help of herbs and homeopathy.

✨ He’s graduated to modified turnout with his
rehab friend Frisco!

✨ We’re now focusing on building strength with increased therapeutic exercises alongside his rehab treatments and bodywork!

Every step forward is a testament to his resilience—and the power of patient, holistic care. Keep cheering him on as he continues his journey home at the end of the month!🦄💙

12/10/2024

Diversity in the microbiome leads to a stronger, healthier body. Just like us, horses thrive on a balanced and diverse diet. Adding herbs and whole foods into their diet can make a significant difference in their health.

When Hawke first came into rehab at HeartSong we focused on enhancing his nutrition and providing herbal support. This approach boosted his immune system, supported his GI, managed discomfort, improved his body condition, and helped him regain muscle. The before and after in just over two months shows just how impactful a well-rounded diet can be. 🌿💕

12/04/2024

Equine rehabilitation is a labor of love—often involving long days, hard work, and emotional highs and lows. At HeartSong, we currently have six rehabilitation cases, making life incredibly busy but also incredibly fulfilling. Each day, I am left inspired by the horses I work with. I love being challenged daily, learning and growing as a practitioner with every horse, collaborating with other professionals, and empowering guardians on their journey. This experience has opened my eyes to so many aspects of equine wellness and inspired the creation of a collective space for those passionate about holistic care.

The Holistic Horse Collective offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to equine wellness. Through individualized support and guidance, we empower equestrians in all aspects of horse wellness —bodywork, nutrition, herbs, homeopathy, training, biomechanics, hoof care, and more.

✨ Join us! ✨
Become a member and take control of your horse's wellness:

- Educational Content: Access a growing library with monthly updates on biomechanics, nutrition, bodywork, hoof care, and holistic care

- Quarterly Live Sessions with industry leaders

- Ongoing Professional Support in our private support page

- Community Connection with like-minded equestrians

- Exclusive Discounts on products, bodywork, training, and more

https://www.holistichorsecollective.com

12/02/2024

The Spirit of Resilience. 💕

Hawke is an incredible teacher of strength and resilience. Honored to be a part of his healing journey and so thankful to everyone who has supported him. 🙏🏻

Holistic and heart-centered is how Nicole Linke, owner and rehabilitation lead at Heartsong Equine Center, describes her approach to horse rehabilitation and wellness. She focuses on uncovering the root causes of each horse’s challenges and supports their healing on all levels—mental, emotional,...

12/01/2024

🌟 NEW OFFERING 🌟

Welcome world - to the Holistic Horse Collective!

This is a space that was created organically, and brought to fruition from our greatest teachers, our horses…

We asked, they spoke and we listened.

What did the horse world need that we could offer? Well…a place that brings all the puzzle pieces together.

The Holistic Horse Collective is a multi-faceted space, blending multiple tools from our tool belts.

A space to help provide a whole horse approach to being the most accountable, empowered and honoring guardian we can be for our horses.

A space where collaboration is SO valued. We will always share and refer to our incredible network of equine professionals, until you’ve found who or what you feel aligned with most.

So, what do we offer?

Membership: A low cost, monthly subscription. Including a private member account and corresponding private Facebook group. Offered to all horse guardians of any scale, interested in continuing education on holistic, whole horse health. This is a space of deep empowerment and advocacy for navigating the equine world. You'll feel supported from a like-minded community through difficult situations, to feeling empowered to be your horse's best advocate. You will also get: monthly education in different forms, participate in quarterly calls with industry leaders, and discounted services from both of us and select partners.

Mentorship: A 6 month program, designed to meet you and your horse where you’re at, and guide you through a new wellness lifestyle addressing all aspects of care. This includes: a tailored nutrition plan, involving custom herbal blends throughout; trauma informed energy clearing; BTMM Pillars and functional movement therapy; multiple bodywork modalities included, along with teaching techniques to practice on your own; buildable and unique homework and exercises with continuous support and guidance along the way. If you’re looking to build confidence for you and your horse, whether it’s during or following up on a health crisis or injury, or just wanting to build a more holistic approach to your horsemanship and guardianship - this mentorship is here to help you accomplish and reach your goals!
(Yes - an Online version of this is coming soon… stay tuned)

To join The Holistic Horse Collective Online Membership head over to: holistichorsecollective.com

welcome to the holistic horse collective Transform Your Equine Partnership Mentorship, Empowerment, and Advocacy for Every Horse Guardian.Holistic Wellness Education for Any Skill Level. Unleash Your Potential with Our Membership Step Into Your Power Today! our offerings to you membership $17/monthB...

11/22/2024

💕

I’ve been putting together my thoughts about the incredible opportunity I had last week to attend an equine dissection guided by “Jersey,” and facilitated by Dr.Sharon May-Davis, Pamela Eckelbarger, and Diane Dzingle.

Part of me wants to write about all the intricacies of the body, the biomechanics, the interweaving of muscles, organs and fascia, the injuries, there is so much to be told there…but my voice is being guided to speak to the spirituality of the process.

I am sad for horses born into an entitled and abusive industry and I am sad for horses who are deeply loved with bodies who cannot keep up with the intensity of their spirit. I am also deeply in awe of the horse. Until you are fortunate enough to intimately see the details woven into the body of who they are and were, you might never truly understand. I know I didn’t.

There will never be another experience like this one, because there will never be another Jersey. There will never be another horse with his exact genetic make up, his exact mannerisms, his exact body, mind, and soul. He was one of a kind, once in a life time, they all are. We all are. How amazing is that? There is not a single body on this earth quite like the one we each live in, Jersey reminded me of that, and I will not take the gift of insight into his for granted.

He reminds us to be grateful for the body that carries us through this lifetime. There will never be another quite like it. He didn’t reject his, he lived in it, played in it, loved in it, until his soul outgrew its limitations.

I was reminded of the power of the horse in spirit. For those of you who don’t know, my horse Bro gained his wings a little over a year ago, and my heart has never been the same since. While his spirit was clearly outgrowing his body, my mind was left with questions that never got answered.

Jersey gave me the gift of allowing Bro to visit me through him. The story Katie told us about Jersey’s life with her could have been written by me about Bro. Wildly similar radiographs, mannerisms, and compensation patterns brought tears to my eyes and healing I thought I’d never receive. I was originally signed up for the second dissection, no coincidence that I ended up in the first one. I’m deeply grateful.

He reminds us that everything is connected, and a horse never just speaks for themselves, they speak for all horses.

The last day was different for me. Bones. I had no idea how much life force energy is in bones.

I told Katie, I understand now why elephants go back for the bones of their loved ones. I understand why bones are used in ceremony, why we bury them, why we are drawn to them. Without the bones, there’d be nothing for the body to create around. We could feel it, I almost can’t explain it. I guess there’s a reason bones last so long… it makes me wonder if they’re the souls way of leaving their unique mark on the earth.

As if to say: I was here, I lived.

I believe our souls choose our bodies and our experiences with the beings around us. I believe our souls are rooted in love, and they are extremely powerful.

I questioned what was in it for him, why he chose this path, why he was ok with a body broken at the hands of humans before five years old. What’s in it for him? What’s in it for any horse?

“Because choosing this body meant that I could one day choose Katie.”

This is why I believe our horses come to earth WITH us. Katie is on a path to help as many horses as possible, had Jersey came with a healthy body, would she still be on this path? Maybe… but he made sure of it, and she was sure to listen. Call it what you want but every horse speaks for all horses, that I’m certain, they must know how to choose the humans who will listen.

What a gift our horses are.

Thanks to Jersey, I will forever see the bodies of my horses differently. Because they chose them…and that means we got to choose each other, and what an honor that is.

Thank you Jersey, for everything. See you in the sky.


I want to add that Katie was so incredibly strong during this entire process, and I am in awe of her strength in honoring her beloved horse.

Sharon, Diane, and Pam have such reverence for the horse as well as everyone else who attended and assisted in this process. It is truly inspiring to be associated with such forward thinking, compassionate humans.

11/21/2024

I’ve had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with Andrea Baldwin. 💕 She’s an amazing herbalist and author of one of my favorite resources, Equine Herbal and Energetics. It’s been out of print, but she’s taking preorders for new prints! With her blessing, I’m sharing her link to preorder a copy!

If you don’t have this amazing book, now is the time! 🌿🪻🌿

The Ultimate Equine Herbal. Take the guesswork out of using herbs with your horse!

11/21/2024

Last night at yoga, we were asked, “In this season of letting go, what are you letting go of?”

What a powerful question!

As I reflected on it, I realized: worry. That would be lovely to release.

As a mother and animal lover, worry tends to creep in. I think for all of us, when we love so deeply, it’s natural to carry worry. But oh, the heaviness that follows that worry.

Deja was my most profound teacher. She was my very first horse, and WOW did she thrust me into the world of horse guardianship. She was a master teacher who wasted no time guiding me down my path. After less than a year together, we were rehabbing from a neurological condition, and I carried worry with me wherever I went! Worried I wasn’t doing enough, I wasn’t enough, worried about the choices I was making, worried she might not make it—the list goes on. 😮‍💨 Reflecting back, that worry robbed me of a lot of time with her. It prevented me from being present, and I carried heaviness into our partnership. Worry, it seems, has been something I’ve been trying to release for many seasons.

However, the one thing worry gifted me was endless hours (a forever, really) of educating myself to be better and do better for her and all the horses to follow. My goal with rehab, clients, boarders, and myself has been to turn worry into empowerment. 💪🏻 The more knowledge we gain, the more confident and empowered we become.

This is why I’m so excited to announce the Holistic Horse Collective, launching December 1, 2024. A space where equestrians can learn, grow, gain confidence, and replace worry with empowerment.

I hope to join you there. 💫

What are you releasing in this season of letting go?

With love,
Nicole 💕

11/18/2024

Exciting things are happening here at HeartSong! Stay tuned!

Huge thank you to Tyler, Maeve Bandt, Darren and Carol Finger for all your help! 💕

11/16/2024

“In the midst of the rush,
find the stillness within”

~Louisa May Alcott

The moments of calm and clarity that the herd brings nourish my soul. 💕

11/14/2024

Frisco and Hawke are making fast friends in rehab. 💕