The Year of The Fire Horse is certainly upon us. In Chinese tradition, the Fire Horse is one of the most powerful and transformative forces in the zodiac. Passionate, untamed, and impossible to contain, the Fire Horse moves to its own hoofbeat. This year is asking all of us to be brave, to trust our instincts, and to allow transformation even when it is uncomfortable. I am trying to rise to that, and I have some important news to share.
The HERD Institute is moving to California.
This move comes with so many mixed emotions. Many of you may know that I have been navigating family health care concerns with relatives in Hong Kong (currently a 28-hour journey from Florida), and this move, while not something I was actively seeking, feels like the universe providing an opportunity at exactly the right moment. My husband has just been offered a position in the Los Angeles area and we are positioned to move by mid-April. While this is an exciting opportunity for his career and I am so incredibly proud of him, I am also navigating significant loss and grief, because I have decided not to move my horses with us.
I share this because authenticity is a core value of The HERD Institute. The HERD model invites us to stay present with what is actually happening and to prioritize the needs of our equine partners. I am trying to do that in my own life right now.
After a lot of careful thought and conversations with people I trust, I have made the decision to move them to Ohio. I am very clear that moving them to California would be entirely for my benefit and not about their welfare. My herd is used to being turned out 24/7 with space to roam. They wouldn’t have that in CA. They will be boarding with friends I trust completely, who will love and care for them the way they deserve. I will be able to visit and continue to teach and partner with them in Ohio.
And while I know this is absolutely the best solution for the horses, it will be one of the hardest transitions I have ever navigated. I will miss being with them. I have lived with, loved, and cared for them every day for the last 10 years. I’m struggling to imagine my life without their daily presence. I will need support, patience, and grace as I navigate this enormous transition.
I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to attend the Humans and Horses Research Foundation conference this past weekend. It was a wonderful gathering that held the core message of how to ensure our horses’ welfare in this work. It was a timely reminder that allowed me to settle into my decision of living apart from my herd. The conversations, the connections, and the collective commitment to this field was exactly the kind of nourishment I needed in the middle of such a significant personal transition. Thank you to everyone who took the time to connect with me there.
That energy is part of what makes me feel hopeful about what is ahead, beyond my relocation. Because, as always, it’s Both/And…grief can exist in tandem with joy. Which brings me to something I want to make sure you know about.
Our 10th Anniversary Conference: Coming Home to The HERD is coming up on July 10th-12th, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. It is shaping up to be our most meaningful gathering yet. If you have been considering joining us, I cannot think of a better moment. This conference is where the HERD community comes together in the fullest sense, and this year feels especially significant. You can find all the details and registration here. I hope to see you then.
None of this would be possible without the extraordinary support of our conference sponsors. Their belief in this work and their investment in this community make it possible for us to gather, to learn, and to grow together. I want to take a moment to acknowledge and support the organizations that make the HERD Conference possible: Horse Sense of The Carolinas, Horses For Mental Health, and Bridle & Brand. We are deeply grateful.
So, what does all this transition mean for you?
If you are currently enrolled in a program or have upcoming training scheduled, our team will be in touch with any location or logistics updates that affect you directly. Beyond that, The HERD Institute remains fully operational. Our team, our standards, our curriculum, and our commitment to this work are unchanged. I will be less available for a few months while we settle in, but I will be back with full presence very soon. And honestly? Moving to California may open doors for this work that I haven’t yet imagined.
If you are new to The HERD Institute or have been curious about our work, this is a wonderful time to get connected. Our certification programs and practitioner training continue without interruption, and our team is here and ready to welcome you. A change in geography does not change what we are building or who we are building it for.
The outpouring of love and support I have already received from our HERD community members has moved me deeply. This work attracts people with enormous hearts, and I feel that every day. Thank you for being part of our community, even in the hard seasons. I am forever grateful.