Meet Debra Gehrke

Meet Debra Gehrke of In Horse Harmony.  In this interview, Debra describes being a horse-crazy little girl who always dreamed of having horses, and how that dream continues to unfold in her life today.

What was your childhood experience with horses?  Were you a horse-crazy kid?  What about your parents - did they recognize this interest?

My childhood experience with horses was very unique.  My entire experience with them lived in my imagination.  Other than having a couple of toy horse models (and I mean a couple, not every make, model and size as many other girls had!) and my “Wonder Horse” - a rocking horse that I galloped off into the sunset with every chance I got; my childhood horse experience dwelled solely in my imagination.  I really can’t remember if I ever even attempted to share my horse dreams with anyone.  I think even at my young age I had a clear sense that the timing wasn’t right for me to have “real life” experiences and so I would just be patient to wait.
The interesting thing that I remember is that when ever I would feel lonely or challenged by something, my imaginary horse life would appear and suddenly every thing was OK.  I remember feeling so calm, reassured, protected and nurtured in these spaces.

When I was 10 my Dad passed away after a challenging battle with cancer.  He was only 32 years old.  My Mom was 30 at the time, alone with 3 lovely girls, me being the eldest.  This was a trying time for all of us.  I was very close to my Daddy; he was often willing to be my horsey!  :0)  I remember riding around on his back…such sweet memories.  When he passed I remember often going into my dream space (awake or sleeping, it didn’t matter).  There I would connect with nature, with the birds, the trees, the flowers, streams…meadows…and always horses.  This picture soothed me and helped me to feel complete.  I’m so grateful for those times.  Many people work their whole lives to be able to reach a state of peace and calm through meditation.  I learned early on how to go there…it was just natural; no one taught me…it was just there.  Now I cherish that as one of the best gifts I ever received.  The natural world is so much a part of my being.  It’s who I am on the inside.  It’s why I connect and relate with horses the way I do.  They’re a part of me and I of them.  I think that’s why it didn’t matter so much that they weren’t a part of my physical experience at that time.  I never really thought about it that way…that I was missing something…I wasn’t.  The horses and all of nature were with me all the time.

I did have the opportunity for the occasional trail ride experience between the ages of 10 and 12.  One particular experience was pretty incredible.  I’ve written an article about it and have shared it with my close horsey friends…and now I can share it with you! Here’s a link to the article, it’s called “Life Lessons with a Horse Named Booger”  (that will tell you something right there!): http://www.inhorseharmony.com/life-lessons-with-a-horse-named-booger/

You mentioned that you didn’t pursue your love of horses until you were an adult.  Explain how they came into your life - or, better yet, how you came into theirs!
What was your family structure like at this time?  Married?  Kids?
How did/does your husband, Mark, feel about horses?

Other than constantly dreaming about horses, gazing longingly at them in pastures as we drove along country sides and a few pretty spectacular trail rides, horses didn¡¯t fully come into my daily experience until we moved our family (husband-Mark, daughter Alea 18 and son Destin 13) to Kauai in 2003.  I was then 37!  I waited a LONG time!

We’re a home schooling family and my son and I found an apprentice program that a local ranch was offering; we could go and learn about the horses while helping to care for them, get them ready for rides, take care of the paddocks (that’s right, lots of scooping horse apples!), etc.  In exchange for helping with all the chores and for being good students caring for the horses we were given lessons, both ground and riding.  I was IN HEAVEN!!  Our son, Destin liked it too…for a time and then he decided raising chickens was more to his liking than being with horses…but that¡¯s another story entirely!  :0)  I was like an eager sponge…takin g in everything I could from a learning perspective.  It was interesting because intuitively, inside me, I already felt as though I’d been doing this forever.  I¡¯m deeply sensitive, highly aware and oh so tuned in with the horses…and they sensed this in me as well.  My challenge was in connecting that with the practical fact that when it came to technique I had nothing!  I knew that was a challenge I could overcome.  I could learn the techniques and they would gel beautifully with what I already “knew” intuitively.  And that’s exactly the way it went.  I’m forever grateful to Dale, my first mentor and teacher.  Dale was a gift t o me.  She allowed the world of horses to open up to me in a way that was so very perfect for my being.

The horses at the ranch, all 14 of them, plus 4 ponies were wonderful teachers.  Each bringing me a different, very valuable lesson to learn.  I soon became the leader of the apprentice program.  This was amazing as I had been delivered two of my very favorite ¡°things¡± in one package…I could work with kids AND horses at the same time.  Life is good!

My husband Mark is deeply nature connected.  He grew up in the country, had critters…even a persnickety pony, I’m told.  He worked on a farm for some neighbors while growing into his teens and had some not so great experiences with horses there.  So, while he wasn’t exactly sure what to make of my desire to be with horses he’s an incredibly loving and supportive being and he encouraged me every step of the way.  The wonderful thing there is that through my experience he could gently approach horses in as casual a way as fit his comfort and little by little he’s come to know their wisdom, grace, gentleness and love as I have.  His experie ntial preference will probably always be more on the vicarious side…but always supportive, that’s for sure.  One never knows…we’ll leave that door open as the dreams continue to flow into our path!

When did you realize that you were going to pursue/include your passion for horses as a career?  Was there a conscious decision making point?

While working at the ranch I decided I wanted to explore this horse/human connection further.  I researched much on the internet and prayed that another teacher would appear for me…someone just for me, someone who appreciated the true nature and spirit of the horse as I did…someone that would be aligned with my philosophy and gentle nature.  I found Franklin Levinson.  His work resonated so very deeply.  I read his articles of his experiences and I felt as though I was reading my own words on the page.  I knew I had to travel to Colorado to experience his “Way of the Horse” course.  I spent an entire week with Franklin; just he and I and a vast variety of horses at several different ranches.  Now I was hooked!  It was at that time that I knew that this connection that had been breathing in me for forever had found its place to connect and become realized in my waking life.

During my time with Franklin I realized that a part of my life’s work would be in sharing the wisdom and love of horses, the connection and bond that is there between us, and the unique field of trust and respect built on true, unconditional love that grows infinitely deep ever more.  I didn’t know exactly what shape or form this would take…but I knew that I wanted to breathe that essence into my own life and also to serve by sharing it with others.  It was this feeling that prompted the creation of In Horse Harmony (www.inhorseharmony.com Dancing in Partnership with Horse and Human).

Another passion of mine is media.  I’ve always relished the idea of being the “Good News Girl”.  In college I studied broadcasting for awhile as I thought I could change the face of media and tell the good news for a change.  We owned our own award winning salon, spa, cafe and eco-store for 14 years before moving to Kauai.  During the latter seven years I had my own live makeover show on Fox 11 every Monday morning.  I had manifested a way to deliver good news!  Now, I continue that trend with our website/blogs.  I can filter my passion for good news, ma king a difference in the world we live in AND bring the horse/human connection to everyone on the planet through podcasting.

I started with interviewing Franklin and some other wonderful people…and then Franklin mentioned I would do well to connect with Anna Twinney.  (Enter my next incredible teacher/mentor and friend!)  I interviewed Anna many times, LOVED her energy and work immediately…audited and captured her clinic on video with Mark on Maui…and now, since moving to Colorado almost a year ago, Anna and I have teamed up co-hosting a show together called, “Reach Out on In Horse Harmony”.  (A great combination of her “Reach Out to Horses” and our “In Horse Harmony”)  We’ve interviewed some amazing people…one of the best being you, Leah…Equesse’s very own! :0)

What is your goal/mission with In Horse Harmony?  Earth Harmony Home?

In addition to In Horse Harmony we also have Earth Harmony Home, (www.earthharmonyhome.com ~ It’s Your World, Dream It…BE it!) a collective project for my husband and I.  We host podcasts on the site as well as some of Mark’s original poetry and nature mandala artwork.  Mark is an avid blogger and also posts other shared material that he finds particularly inspiring.

I do this because it’s my passion; I enjoy it!  My desire is that others are touched by what we bring to them and that if only in some small way their lives are better for it.  Our intention is to assist others in sharing their brilliance with the world.  The world wide web allows us to connect with our brothers and sisters across the planet in a way we may not be afforded with out it.  Through the web we connect, creating a bridge of understanding, hope and love.  That’s my mission with these projects as with any thing I do in my life.  I see myself as a bridge of connection.  I want to come from my passion, utilizing my gifts and talents to serve all of humanity and all sentient beings in our natural world…with JOY in FUN!
At this point these projects are hobbies, labors of love.  We’ve been talking about creating a business model for them.  Our shows are very well received.  I love interviewing, connecting in deep conversation.  People generally recognize something powerful and different during an interview experience with me and I appreciate the gift of communication that I’ve been given.  I’m open to seeing the work we’re doing evolve into a more full time experience that generates income and continues to feed my creative nature.

What have been some of your biggest challenges in your life with horses?

My greatest challenge is with myself being patient in waiting for “my someday” when I can wake up and the first thing I see if I look out the window is a happy herd and nature rolling green and awake as far as the eye can see.

What have been some of your biggest joys?

Joys…ahhhh!  Sharing breath, lying beside Hanalei for an afternoon nap, seeing the joy in children’s eyes when they connect with horses, bathing and grooming, smelling like horse poop and sweat–the fruit of a good day, “dancing” in the glow of the late afternoon sun, feeling their majestic presence, laughing with their goofiness, dreaming about the next time we’re together…each and every moment with horses!

What is some advice for women who love horses?

Remember that you never know how things will show up in your life…just when you least expect it wonders can flow in.  Be open to all possibilities, be limitless in your thinking and vast in your creativity.  Allow the world to open to your dreams.  Know that time is just an illusion…create the time and space you need.

Our path has always been blessed with support and goodness.  Even in the face of challenges we’re grateful as there are lessons we’re learning.  We’re strong believers that as long as we follow our dreams and we’re willing to “show up” authentically with integrity that all we ever desire is ours.  We shape and create our destinies daily in each and every moment.  It’s this experience I offer as advice to others only because I know it’s working for me.  Follow your bliss, listen to nature, allow the flow to embrace you…and just BE with the horses…allow their presence to fill your heart, listen to their voice of truth and wisdom…br eathe their breath of ONE-ness and LOVE.  Allow for as many moments of this magic as you can to spill into your life in as many expressions as your creativity can bring.  Treasure every moment and be in deep gratitude for each and every blessing.