Volunteer Spotlight: Kris

At Zenhorse®, we believe the healing journey often begins with a quiet inner nudge—the kind that tugs at your soul before you can even name it. Today, we're honored to share a guest post from Kris Ochs, a dedicated Zenhorse® volunteer, Board Member, and creative spirit whose own path led her from healthcare burnout to rediscovering her authenticity with the help of wild mustangs. Her story is a beautiful reminder that the way home isn’t always a straight line—and that the horses often know the way before we do.

What Wild Horses & Equine-Assisted Therapy Taught Me About Living Authentically

Written by Kris Ochs 

Jun 10, 2025

This is the story of how the mustangs of Zenhorse®—wild, wise, and grounded—helped me find inner peace, and how I’m now finding joy in advocating for others to experience this gift.

Sometimes the deepest parts of us know what we need long before our minds catch up. For me, horses have always held a quiet call. As a child, I devoured books about wild mustangs and thoroughbreds, dreaming of deep connection with these wise, powerful animals. Though I could never quite convince my parents to let me have a horse on our farm, I immersed myself in reading and learning about them—waiting for the day I could welcome horses into my life.

Life, however, took me in other directions. I left my small town, moved to the city, and pursued a career in healthcare centered on service and care for others. Outwardly, I thrived in this work—growing my clinical knowledge and leadership skills, finding meaning in advocating for patients and coworkers alike. Beneath the surface, a different story simmered. Though I had not yet encountered the language to describe this, I knew that I was experiencing the world differently than those around me. I felt everything. So much so that I eventually ended up needing to create a “shell” to protect what I could from the wear and tear of working in a space where people show up on some of the worst days of their lives. Over time, my habit of pouring energy outward without the ability to nourish myself began to take a toll on my physical health. 

After finding myself at the 2024 Zenhorse® Open House, I could not believe my luck when I discovered the opportunities for education, somatic movement, and community that were available. I began volunteering and attending events whenever my schedule would allow, and last summer, I found myself longing to spend time with horses in any way I could. A conversation with Kit helped me understand why this pull felt so essential: spending time with the horses offered my nervous system the rare chance to slow down and co-regulate - something that was lacking in my day to day life. When the Wild Woman Weekend Retreat came around I leapt at the opportunity to immerse myself in four days of unfettered access to horses with the added bonuses of the opportunity for community and healing.

During the retreat, my long-dormant creativity stirred awake through the practice of art journaling. When we weren’t at the arena working with the horses, you could find me with a pile of magazine cutouts, glue sticks, and watercolors - documenting our daily experiences and the insights that arose. Through the experiential learning of completing unmounted exercises with the horses—both individually and with partners—I was free to explore new ways of being in a safe, non-judgmental space. Miraculously, these practices (with hypervigilant prey animals weighing over 1,200 pounds!) helped my brain integrate insights and accelerated my personal growth in a way traditional practices I have pursued had not. The weekend sparked a renewed sense of curiosity in my daily life and opened new pathways for learning and growth. 

After many volunteer hours at Zenhorse® that fall, I began dreaming of weaving equine services into my professional path. I began researching potential healthcare pivots in fields already incorporating equine-assisted therapy, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health. Ultimately, I realized the work I had already begun in building a coaching practice aligned beautifully with equine-assisted learning (EAL). I am now pursuing certification as an Equine Professional (EP), with the goal of one day being the EP during equine-assisted EMDR therapy sessions.

Horses speak volumes without words—teaching presence and trust through nonverbal communication. Healing happens in stillness, not through striving or perfectionism. Returning to the equine world with a beginner’s mind has shaped how I now move through life, both personally and professionally. I am releasing old narratives about “belonging”—in the horse world and in my human world—and am committed to showing up as my authentic self. Personal healing is not linear or tidy—mine certainly hasn’t been—but the beauty I’ve uncovered along the way makes the journey more than worth it.

What’s Next?

I continue doing the work: trusting myself, practicing noticing my intuition, and deepening my connection to my internal body experience through somatic awareness. If you feel called—whether to the horses, to healing, or to deeper self-trust—I wholeheartedly encourage you to follow that pull. You don’t need to have all the answers. What may appear a wild pivot from the outside may be the very path that leads you home—to yourself.

It was through returning to the herd—standing quietly among the horses and witnessing their (seemingly) effortless connection—that I began to claim moments of inner peace. The lessons I’ve learned through equine-assisted therapy have transformed how I live, love, and lead. If this story inspires you, I hope you’ll consider stepping outside your comfort zone and discovering what the Zenhorse® herd might offer on your own healing journey. The horses are waiting—as they always have been—to welcome you home.

About Kris

I’m grateful to be creating spaces where others can experience the magic of EAL, too. If this story resonates with you—if you feel drawn to horses or curious about exploring new paths to healing—I would love to connect. In my coaching practice, I offer neurodivergent-affirming services, and I am completing training to soon incorporate equine-assisted learning experiences into client sessions. I am especially passionate about serving healthcare workers facing burnout, neurodivergent folks, creatives, and anyone seeking a more embodied, intuitive way of being. You can follow my journey here, or please reach out to learn more about upcoming opportunities!

We’re deeply grateful to Kris for sharing her journey—and for the passion and purpose she brings to the Zenhorse® community. If her story speaks to you, we invite you to follow that whisper of curiosity. Whether you’re called to the herd, to healing, or to simply slow down and reconnect with your inner wisdom, know that you’re welcome here. The horses are waiting.

Photos from Left to Right:

Board Member, Kris Ochs, stands next to Bodhi, a four(ish) year old mustang that calls Blue Sage Ranch home. Picture courtesy of Zenhorse® volunteer and Board Member, Michelle Huelsman, who is the owner of Unbridled Focus Photography.

Caught in the act…Sparked by art journaling at Wild Woman Weekend this is the start of Kris tapping back into her creativity. If you see her around the ranch, she’s likely got her art supplies nearby!

Some of the ladies of Zenhorse® (in their finest) at the Shawna Karrasch Equine Clinic where we practiced positive reinforcement techniques with the mustangs. We are hoping to secure a Duluth Trading Co® sponsorship one day to support our overalls habit!