The Touch of a Mustang | Wild Horses and Healing With Nature

Shalyce Cluff
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Nature
  • Updated Weekly

Horses guide us to heal ourselves. We have left ancient wisdom behind in the world today, but we are rediscovering that some of the most powerful healing modalities come by reentering the natural world. One of those places in which it is becoming increasingly clear we gain the wisdom needed to thrive in the world today is at the side of a horse. While all horses hold an incredible capacity to aid humans in this way, it is often the wild, discarded, and "dangerous" horses that provide the clearest lessons IF we are willing to set aside the ego and instead enter an expanded world of learning.

  1. How Horses Transform Lives and Inspire Stories with Children's Author Cheryl Olsten | Episode 79

    6d ago

    How Horses Transform Lives and Inspire Stories with Children's Author Cheryl Olsten | Episode 79

    What if a horse could not just teach you patience, trust, and presence in ways nothing else can, but change your entire world for the better? Cheryl Olsten, a Pennsylvania-based children's book author, shares how horses transformed her from a reluctant rider into a passionate advocate as she has felt personal transformation and care from horses. She has also witnessed the miracles they play a part in, such as nonverbal children speaking their first words on horseback. This conversation will expand the way you see horses and their power to heal. Cheryl's picture books include Big Wishes for Little Feet, inspired by her horse Lafitte. Lafitte's winnings have raised significant funds for the Equus Foundation, where Lafitte served as their first ambassador. Before writing children's books, Cheryl spent twelve years as publisher of New Jersey Life magazine, collaborating with award-winning writers and photographers. She lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania with her husband Steven and their dog Nugget, and continues to advocate for horse rescue and protection through her storytelling. In this episode, you'll discover: Why the difficult or abused horses are often the horses that are the most valuable in the endWhy horses can help autistic children, trauma survivors, and anyone strugglingHow three separate horses played a pivotal role in three different areas of Cheryl's lifeHow writing children's books became Cheryl's way to protect horses by inspiring the next generationWhy you don't need to own a horse to experience their healing power and where to startSupport the podcast: ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang⁠ Help more people discover the healing power of horses: Leave a 5-star review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: ⁠⁠https://thetouchofamustang.org/⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang Connect with Cheryl: Website: cherylolsten.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylolsten/ Amazon link: amazon.com/author/cherylolsten

    52 min
  2. Australian Brumbies Are Being Gunned Down with Kiki Sjoberg | Episode 78

    Jun 1

    Australian Brumbies Are Being Gunned Down with Kiki Sjoberg | Episode 78

    This episode is an emergency release, as it is anticipated that aerial culling of the Snowy River Brumbies will begin by the Australian government on June 9, 2026. Perhaps like me, you grew up watching "The Man From Snowy River," in which the wild Brumbies were a central point of conflict in the story. Sadly, the hate towards the Brumbies and the desire to rid the land of them has not ended. In the name of environmentalism Australia's National Parks are targeting Brumbies. The government states there are tens of thousands wild horses roaming the Snowy Mountains, but those on the ground have seen otherwise. Despite experts testifying in favor of the Brumbies, the Australian government appears to disregard expert testimony and instead continues to move forward with plans to eliminate Brumbies on the land. Not by roundups and rehoming. In Australia, they shoot Brumbies from helicopters, reportedly in the thousands. Often inhumanely, leaving horses to suffer extensively before death. Kiki Sjoberg, a wild horse photographer, comes on the podcast to tell us what she has seen has happened to the Brumbies,and why if it doesn't change, they may one day be completely gone, leaving a land without a central piece of their heritage. Where Brumbies bodies lay dead and rotting, environmental groups are moving in to build a massive $12 billion hydroelectric project, taking away and destroying wild land in the process. This sounds like a $12 billion conflict of interest. Connect with Kiki Sjoberg, learn more about what is happening and help spread the world through the power of social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brumby_strong/ Support the Podcast: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang⁠ Love the podcast?Leave a review so others seeking healing can find the show! Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: ⁠https://thetouchofamustang.org/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang

    1 hr
  3. Why Everyone Should Know About Horses and Mental Health with Kathleen Saucier | Episode 77

    May 31

    Why Everyone Should Know About Horses and Mental Health with Kathleen Saucier | Episode 77

    What if the thing you need to begin healing is to spend time with a horse? Kathleen Saucier is the co-founder of Samson's Strength Sustainable Veterans Project, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing horses and pairing them with veterans who need the same kind of second chance. The Touch of a Mustang a 2026 Horses for Mental Health Ambassador, in Support of Samson's Strength Sustainable Veterans Project, just completed an incredible month of May—raising awareness, building connections, and proving that when people come together around a shared mission, transformation happens. In this reflective conversation, Kathleen and Shalyce look back on what the Horses for Mental Health campaign accomplished: not just funds raised, but connections made between ambassadors who had never heard of each other, stories shared that changed how people see horses and healing, and a community built around the belief that awareness itself is healing. The most powerful momentum changes from competition to collaboration. In this episode, you'll discover:• Why awareness is just as important as funding when it comes to horses and mental health • How the May 2026 campaign created unexpected connections between ambassadors who had never heard of each other • Why "touching where it hurts" is essential for healing and the trust it requires—for both horses and humans in therapy • The differences that occur when connection becomes more important than competition • The stories that are sticking with us. This episode is for anyone who is interested in how horses can guide us in healing our mental state. Connect with Kathleen and Support her work: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sssvp.org Website: ⁠⁠sssvp.org⁠⁠ Instagram:  @samsonsstrengthveteransproject  HMH Campain: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/campaigns/samsons-strength-sustainable-veterans-project-inc-501-c3/ Horses for Mental Health Campaign: https://horsesformentalhealth.org Get your free guide:Download the 5-Minute Emotional Reset: https://thetouchofamustang.org/get-your-free-reset/ Ready for personalized support?Book a free 30-minute consultation (only 5 spots available per month): https://calendly.com/thetouchofamustang/free-30-minute-coaching-session Deepen your practice:Get the Emotional Mastery Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Mastery-Journal-Shalyce-Cluff/dp/B0DQXV59SW Support the Podcast: https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang Love the podcast?Leave a review so others seeking healing can find the show! Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: https://thetouchofamustang.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang

    36 min
  4. Being with Horses Broke the Hold Addiction Had on Me with Ray Guidone | Episode 76

    May 28

    Being with Horses Broke the Hold Addiction Had on Me with Ray Guidone | Episode 76

    "Working with horses, I didn't think about addiction at all. Not for days after. There's just something about them—I was completely free from it." Ray Guidone What if the addiction you've been fighting for years could lose its grip—not through willpower or another program, but through standing in a pasture with a horse? Ray Guidone is a licensed massage therapist with nearly 30 years of experience, certified in medical and rehabilitation massage, Reiki, Qi Gong, and isolated stretching. After struggling with alcohol addiction and using it as an escape from the hard parts of life, Ray discovered something unexpected when he returned to working with horses: the cravings disappeared. Not just in the moment—but for days after. Without trying. Without white-knuckling it. As a 2026 Horses For Mental Health Ambassador for Samson's Strength Sustainable Veterans Project, Ray now understands what happened: horses don't just distract us from our addictions—they help us release the tension, trauma, and stress that fuel them. And when you're standing with a horse, fully present in their world, the need to escape your own simply fades away. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why Ray's addiction cravings disappeared when he started working with horses—and stayed gone for days • The childhood story of being found at age 3 in a circle of horses who wouldn't move • The difference between healthy escapes (horses) and destructive ones (substances, behaviors) • Why addiction is just distraction—and what horses teach us about being present instead • How physical tension in your body holds the emotional trauma that fuels addiction • Why horses are 100% honest—and how that honesty helps us face what we've been avoiding • The connection between stress, escape, and the cycle of addiction • Why veterans need the same herd structure horses provide—and how it supports recovery • How Qi Gong and energy cultivation help you connect with horses on a deeper level • Why "it's not the horse that's not listening—it's you" This episode is for anyone struggling with addiction, anyone seeking alternatives to traditional recovery programs, and anyone ready to discover that freedom might be waiting for them. Support Ray's Horses for Mental Health work: Connect with Ray: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18EJ9LvMje/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intuitivewellness_?igsh=a3E3MG9lOHcyMzJl Get your free guide: Download the 5-Minute Emotional Reset: https://thetouchofamustang.org/get-your-free-reset/ Ready for personalized support? Book a free 30-minute consultation (only 5 spots available): https://calendly.com/thetouchofamustang/free-30-minute-coaching-session Deepen your practice: Get the Emotional Mastery Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Mastery-Journal-Shalyce-Cluff/dp/B0DQXV59SW Join the herd:Support the podcast and get exclusive content: https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang Love the podcast? Leave a review so others seeking healing can find the show! Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: https://thetouchofamustang.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang Horses for Mental Health Campaign: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/campaigns/ray-guidonne/

    54 min
  5. Horses Help us Remember Who We Once Were with Justin Dunn | Episode 75

    May 25

    Horses Help us Remember Who We Once Were with Justin Dunn | Episode 75

    What if the principles you use with horses is the blueprint for transforming your life? In this episode, horseman and author Justin Dunn shares how co‑creating experiences with a horse reveals the truth about our thoughts, habits, and character, and why character ultimately shapes our destiny. We talk about modeling “tension then relax” in everyday events, playing the larger life “game” better instead of fighting it, and learning to enjoy hard things so you can stay present when it matters most. Justin also unpacks the mindset behind his five‑part resonance framework and how a single aligned spark can become a positive wildfire of growth. In this episode, you'll discover: • What makes working with horses so powerful for high performers, those who are struggling and anyone who wants to change their life for the better • Why the way you interact with horses teaches you about life • How horses can create experiences that can't be replicated in therapy or on a screen • How the typical path in life often leads us astray • Why you'll have to go through a violent and destructive process to build anew This episode is for anyone who feels ready for realignment in their life and looking for methods to live life better. Connect with Justin Dunn: Website: https://www.justindunnhorsemanship.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justin.w.dunn/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ JustinDunnMustangHorsemanshipSupport the Podcast: buymeacoffee.com/thetouchofamustangLove the podcast? Leave a review so others seeking healing can find the show!Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: https://thetouchofamustang.org/ Instagram: / thetouchofamustang Facebook: / thetouchofamustang

    2h 18m
  6. When Nothing Has Worked Horses Offer Hope with Lynn Thomas & Jen Blanchard | Episode 74

    May 21

    When Nothing Has Worked Horses Offer Hope with Lynn Thomas & Jen Blanchard | Episode 74

    What if the the answers we are searching for come in the form of a horse that forces you to face yourself as you really are? Lynn Thomas is a mental health professional who co-founded Horses for Mental Health, a nonprofit that supports equine-assisted mental health programs across 36 states and 6 countries. Lynn didn't grow up with horses. She grew up in the city and knew nothing about them until she witnessed their transformative power working with at-risk youth 30 years ago. Jen Blanchard is the Head of Marketing for the Equine Division of Zoetis, the world's largest fully dedicated animal health company. Together, they've created the annual Horses for Mental Health Campaign, a nationwide peer-to-peer fundraising initiative that has raised over $2 million to support 200+ programs providing life-changing mental health services through horses. In this episode, Lynn and Jen share why horses succeed where traditional therapy fails, the impact they have seen in individuals who have worked with horses, and why the equine therapy is one of the fastest growing niche's in mental health. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why horses break through emotional walls faster than traditional therapy • What makes horses different from other animals in mental health work • Why you can't fake your emotions around a horse and why that's the gift • How the Horses for Mental Health Campaign supports 130 programs across 36 states and 6 countries • How this work creates a place for rescue horses, Mustangs, and horses in their second careers • Why caring for the caregivers is just as important as caring for the horses and clients This episode is for anyone struggling with mental health who's tried everything else and still feels stuck, and for those who believe in the power of horses to guide healing and how they can become involved in the work.Support the Horses for Mental Health Campaign: Website: https://horsesformentalhealth.org Find a Program Near You: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/campaign Donate, Volunteer, or Become a Fundraising AmbassadorLearn More: Blog: https://www.zoetisequine.com/blog-articles/expanding-the-hoofprint-for-healing Short Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PuXEs_uO14 Stories: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/storiesConnect with Zoetis Equine: Website: https://www.zoetisequine.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoetisequine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZoetisEquine Follow Horses for Mental Health: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HorsesForMentalHealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horsesformentalhealth/ Support the Podcast: buymeacoffee.com/thetouchofamustang Love the podcast? Leave a review so others seeking healing can find the show! Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: https://thetouchofamustang.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang

    1h 3m
  7. With No Parents to Guide Her She Learned We're Stronger Than We Think with Madison Orlando | Episode 73

    May 18

    With No Parents to Guide Her She Learned We're Stronger Than We Think with Madison Orlando | Episode 73

    What if the story you've been telling yourself about being broken isn't true? Madison Orlando never knew her father—he died four days before she was born and then her mother went silent. Madison was raised by her grandmother, who couldn't walk. She got pregnant at 15, worked multiple jobs to survive, and spent years believing she was a mistake. But somewhere along the way, Madison discovered something powerful: we're not as fragile as we've been told. Today, Madison is a medical board certified massage therapist, Reiki master teacher, and former national champion in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. She's trained with Dr. Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, and Tony Robbins, and now helps people heal trauma through energy work and bodywork. As a 2026 Horses For Mental Health Ambassador for Samson's Strength Sustainable Veterans Project, Madison understands that healing doesn't always come from traditional therapy—sometimes it comes from horses, energy work, and learning to trust your own resilience. In this episode, you'll discover:• The difference between guilt (I made a mistake) and shame (I am a mistake)—and why it matters• Why you can't fake frequency (and why horses know when you're pretending to be okay)• How Reiki and horses help your body self-regulate and release stored trauma• What happened when Madison finally showed up as herself in her relationship (and why her husband loved it)• Why real love is liberating, not controlling• How the chakra system connects to your organs, emotions, and trauma patterns• Why forgiveness is for you—not the person who hurt you• How horses create conditions for healing without doing anything at all This episode is for anyone who's been told they're too broken to heal, anyone seeking alternatives or additions to traditional therapy, and anyone who needs permission to believe they're stronger than they think. Support Madison's Horses for Mental Health work: Connect with Madison: Facebook - Madison Massage Alchemist Support the podcast:Make a donation or get exclusive content, guided meditations, monthly Q&As, and more: https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang Love the podcast?Leave a review so others on their healing journey can find the show! Connect with The Touch of a Mustang:Website: https://thetouchofamustang.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang Connect with Madison Orlando:Facebook: Madison Massage AlchemistHorses for Mental Health Campaign: https://horsesformentalhealth.org

    1h 2m
  8. Wild Horse Partnerships Built Without Force with Mustang Trainer Michael Sanchez | Episode 72

    May 14

    Wild Horse Partnerships Built Without Force with Mustang Trainer Michael Sanchez | Episode 72

    Most people think training horses requires dominance. Michael Sanchez learned it's more about patience. Michael Sanchez works at a barn in Leeds, Alabama that has gentled hundreds of wild Mustangs. He didn't grow up dreaming of working with horses—he was the maintenance guy, the one picking stalls and fixing fences. But one day he was asked to hold a horse, and that was the start of many more horses to come. Now Michael spends his days teaching wild horses to trust humans, and he's learned that the key to building partnership isn't control—it's knowing the difference between being firm and being aggressive. As a 2026 Horses For Mental Health Ambassador for Samson's Strength Sustainable Veterans Project, Michael has seen firsthand how horses heal when you give them respect instead of force, and how that same approach can transform your own life. In this episode, you'll discover: • What it means to be firm without being aggressive (and why that distinction changes everything) • Why the first time a wild horse picks up its foot is about trust, not obedience • How to know when you're not the right person for a particular horse • Why Mustangs take longer to train than domestic horses—and why rushing the process breaks the partnership • What Michael learned about patience after gentling 300 wild horses • How horses helped him heal after losing his mom (and why his boss told him to just go sit with them) • Why building partnership with horses teaches you how to show up differently in your own life This episode is for anyone who's adopted a Mustang and feels stuck, anyone who wants to train horses without force, and anyone who's learning that the best relationships are built on respect, not control. Support Michael's Horses for Mental Health work: Learn more about Michael's advocacy for equine therapy and Mustangs: ⁠https://horsesformentalhealth.org/campaigns/michael-sanchez/⁠ Get your free guide: Download the 5-Minute Emotional Reset: ⁠https://thetouchofamustang.org/get-your-free-reset/⁠ Ready for personalized support? Book a free 30-minute consultation (only 5 spots available per month): ⁠https://calendly.com/thetouchofamustang/free-30-minute-coaching-session⁠ Deepen your practice: Get the Emotional Mastery Journal - your 6-month guide to emotional awareness and regulation: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Mastery-Journal-Shalyce-Cluff/dp/B0DQXV59SW⁠ Join the herd: Support the podcast and get exclusive content, guided meditations, monthly Q&As, and more: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/thetouchofamustang⁠ Love the podcast?Leave a review so others on their healing journey can find the show! Connect with The Touch of a Mustang: Website: ⁠https://thetouchofamustang.org/ ⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thetouchofamustang/⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheTouchofaMustang⁠ Connect with Michael https://www.facebook.com/michael.sanchez.943673

    1h 8m
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About

Horses guide us to heal ourselves. We have left ancient wisdom behind in the world today, but we are rediscovering that some of the most powerful healing modalities come by reentering the natural world. One of those places in which it is becoming increasingly clear we gain the wisdom needed to thrive in the world today is at the side of a horse. While all horses hold an incredible capacity to aid humans in this way, it is often the wild, discarded, and "dangerous" horses that provide the clearest lessons IF we are willing to set aside the ego and instead enter an expanded world of learning.

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