DRINKING wine is the most obvious way to relax in Northern California’s Sonoma County. It would have been my first choice, but unfortunately, I was too busy trying to figure out how to navigate my way through the town of Sebastopol, a pretty place tucked beyond Sonoma’s endless rolling vineyards.
Though concerned about driving a luxury 4WD (a loaner from Dad) into a community that has a majority Green Party city council, the BMWs – driven by the San Franciscans who take refuge here in million dollar cottages – provided ample backup. I continued, anxiety allayed, toward my destination: Full House Farm, where I’d find Christine Cole, the area’s resident horse whisperer, and maybe a decent glass of red wine.
But then again, maybe I wouldn’t need it. According to Cole, hanging out with horses would be relaxation enough. She feels that humans can speak a horse’s “language,”and that in doing so, we’ll deepen our appreciation of nature, and learn more about ourselves. She insists that such exercise helps eliminate stress, improve parent/child relations, make you more business savvy – even strengthen troubled marriages.
When I pulled into the farm, a wild, 23-acre property rich with majestic pine, oak and fir trees, I realized that at least the surroundings were beautiful and peaceful – despite the unusually stormy weather now beating down overhead. I high-tailed it with my bags into the farm’s one guest house, a three-bedroom, two-bath ridge-side home with a kitchen stocked with what I’d learn was the farm’s own organic eggs, locally baked organic bread, plus coffee, tea, butter and jam.
Decorated with horse statues, Native American blankets on the walls and Japanese folding screen, it had a hybrid
artsy/exotic/outdoorsy vibe. It was also clean and homey, and definitely designed for families with kids (there was a satellite TV and video games on hand in the living room).
A glance outside the glass doors revealed a dramatic view of the glen and the surrounding forest, wisps of misty fog, and neighboring homes seemingly miles off in the distance on another hill. Frogs croaked along with the rhythm of the rain’s pitter patter. According to the guest book, people have visited the FHF and its four horses from as far away as Norway and Japan, and it was easy to see why.
But then I turned my attention to the nearby shelves that are filled with books such as “The Celestine Prophecy” and others usually found next to tarot cards in the book store. Was Cole a crackpot? Had I unsuspectingly wandered into a cult?
Cole quickly put my mind at ease when I sat down to chat with her. Not only is she a horse trainer, farm caretaker and all around animal lover, but she’s a rather brilliant philosopher – more saddle, less armchair – who has worked closely with Cavalia, a high-concept traveling show that features horses instead of creepy clowns.
Cole explained that if one can master the humanhorse relationship – a harmonic “dance” between two competing wills – then one can master any of life’s challenges, however big or small. “It’s all about relieving the anxiety that comes from not getting what you want,” she said. “I want you to come away relaxed.”
The next morning, it was time to put these horse/human harmonic theories to the test. I was going to partake in the three-hour Harmony with Horses workshop (the farm also offers the three-day Harmony Retreat and several other shorter sessions). The sun was out, the horses – Rowdy, Missy Brown, Lyric and Indy – were in a good mood, drying out from yesterday’s rain, Lyric even rolling around in the mud, absorbing the morning’s warmth.
Cole handed me a horse whip – not to beat Missy Brown, my 18-year-old mare and partner for the day, but to express my space physically outward. She told me to approach Missy, whip extended, and attempt to claim the spot of dirt on which the horse was standing.
At first, Missy didn’t budge, ignoring me like I was a summer gnat. I wasn’t approaching her with enough confidence; instead, I was hesitant and doubtful. But I corrected my body language and after a few tries, she began to move, surrendering her space to me. I then learned how to invite Missy back into my space, now our shared space, and we were able to trot side by side, like kindred spirits.
Being an animal freak, I was blown away by my ability to get this beautiful creature to do what I wanted without laying a hand on her. Horses, unlike humans, aren’t bound by social graces or niceties; either they respond to you and do what you want them to do, or they don’t. Gaining this horse’s respect empowered my sense of will and purpose – if only for the day.
But don’t fret if the whole harmony thing doesn’t work for you. Guests can entertain themselves in other ways, like hiking around the property’s many wooded trails. Or, take a farm tour, and hand feed the farm’s many rabbits, sheep and chickens. There are also tractor rides and picnics in the meadow.
I asked Cole if I could bring the whip back to New York, as it would be of great help clearing sidewalks of people the next time a transit strike rolls around. The answer was no.
Whipless, but refreshed and, dare I say, empowered, I climb back on the metal 4WD steed I rode in on, only to face my next battle of wills: afternoon traffic on Highway 101.
Info: House stays from $195/night, horse workshops from $80 for a threehour session; (888) 596-6006, fhfarm.com.
NOTE: Readers are advised that at press time, the region was experiencing heavy rainstorms.