top of page
Main Menu
The Empowered Herd still B&W.PNG

The Empowered Herd

The importance of allowing horses to be horses:

 Dawn Oakley-Smith explains why herd-life is vital

“Horses give us an awareness of soul, of who we are in the deepest—where it matters; a consciousness and a sense of our connection to the divine spark within and without; a seeing and a knowing of our place in the stream of life; an ability to stand with courage in one's centre, whatever happens.” ​

 

— Dawn Oakley-Smith

Heartshore Horses was founded in 2003 by Dawn Oakley-Smith. A lifetime spent with horses, Dawn's sensitive, therapeutic approach is the total opposite of traditional horsemanship methods making her an unusual horsewoman in the Gloucestershire landscape. 

 

Heartshore is a place where the learning and development of people and horses are intertwined, the horses revealing a different perspective on life as we know it. Dawn and her family work in a variety of ways, all centred around the wisdom of horses and what they can teach us about ourselves. 

Touch 2.PNG

EQUINE-ASSISTED LEARNING

Lakota and Dawn Morgan.PNG

SPIRITUAL WORKSHOPS

small hand.PNG

AUTISM & HORSES

harryseye.jpg

MEET THE HERD

Upcoming Events

WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

  • EASE Taster Day
    EASE Taster Day
    EASE Taster Day
    Sat, 01 Mar
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    01 Mar 2025, 09:00 – 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    01 Mar 2025, 09:00 – 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    An Equine-Assisted Soul Experience (EASE) taster day. An introduction to some of the exercises and horse engagements that form part of the deep EASE retreat in June/July.
    Share
  • Seeking the Gold - 2 day Taster
    Seeking the Gold - 2 day Taster
    Seeking the Gold - 2 day Taster
    Sat, 08 Mar
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon
    08 Mar 2025, 09:00 – 09 Mar 2025, 16:00
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon
    08 Mar 2025, 09:00 – 09 Mar 2025, 16:00
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon
    Introductory 2 days for the Seeking the Gold. A series of four 3-day workshops throughout the year, exploring the four stages of our inner alchemical processes. Co-facilitated with Janet Jenkins.
    Share
  • Exploring the Karpman Drama Triangle
    Exploring the Karpman Drama Triangle
    Exploring the Karpman Drama Triangle
    Fri, 21 Mar
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    21 Mar 2025, 09:00 – 23 Mar 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    21 Mar 2025, 09:00 – 23 Mar 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    First of four CPD programmes. Exploring the Karpman Drama Triangle, co-facilitated with Nick Oakley-Smith. Cost £350. Venue HeartShore, nr Stroud
    Share
  • The Nigredo
    The Nigredo
    The Nigredo
    Fri, 04 Apr
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon
    04 Apr 2025, 09:00 – 06 Apr 2025, 16:00
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon
    04 Apr 2025, 09:00 – 06 Apr 2025, 16:00
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon
    The Nigredo - stage one of the alchemical process. Exploring the process of change through engagements with the horses, group discussion, creative activities and connecting with the Land. Co-facilitated with Janet Jenkins.
    Share
  • Pilgrimage to Avebury
    Pilgrimage to Avebury
    Pilgrimage to Avebury
    Fri, 25 Apr
    Ashbury
    25 Apr 2025, 09:00 – 27 Apr 2025, 16:00
    Ashbury, Ashbury SN6 8NX, UK
    25 Apr 2025, 09:00 – 27 Apr 2025, 16:00
    Ashbury, Ashbury SN6 8NX, UK
    Pilgrimage to Avebury, starting at Wayland's Smithy, a sacred trek in the company of horses, with Dawn and Fleur Camille Pennington.
    Share
  • Setting Boundaries with Heart
    Setting Boundaries with Heart
    Setting Boundaries with Heart
    Fri, 09 May
    Heartshore Horses
    09 May 2025, 09:00 – 11 May 2025, 17:00
    Heartshore Horses, Minchinhampton, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    09 May 2025, 09:00 – 11 May 2025, 17:00
    Heartshore Horses, Minchinhampton, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    Second of four CPD programmes. Setting Boundaries with Heart. Practising the art of setting boundaries whilst maintaining connection. Co-facilitated with Nick Oakley-Smith.
    Share
  • Dreaming the Bones
    Dreaming the Bones
    Dreaming the Bones
    Wed, 14 May
    Quernmore Hall
    14 May 2025, 09:00 – 18 May 2025, 17:00
    Quernmore Hall, Lancaster LA2 9HN, UK
    14 May 2025, 09:00 – 18 May 2025, 17:00
    Quernmore Hall, Lancaster LA2 9HN, UK
    Second of four CPD programmes. Setting Boundaries with Heart. Practising the art of setting boundaries whilst maintaining connection. Co-facilitated with Nick Oakley-Smith.
    Share
  • Loosening the Grip of the Mind, the Work of Byron Katie
    Loosening the Grip of the Mind, the Work of Byron Katie
    Loosening the Grip of the Mind, the Work of Byron Katie
    Fri, 06 Jun
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    06 Jun 2025, 09:00 – 08 Jun 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    06 Jun 2025, 09:00 – 08 Jun 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    Third of four CPD days. Loosening the Grip of the Mind, the Work of Byron Katie. A chance to look at our inner narrative and enquire into our beliefs about ourselves and the world.
    Share
  • Brooke Medicine Eagle
    Brooke Medicine Eagle
    Brooke Medicine Eagle
    Fri, 15 Aug
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    15 Aug 2025, 09:00 – 17 Aug 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    15 Aug 2025, 09:00 – 17 Aug 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    Another visit from wisdom Keeper, Brooke Medicine Eagle, theme and cost of this workshop still to be confirmed. Venue: HeartShore, nr Stroud
    Share
  • Drum-making
    Drum-making
    Drum-making
    Fri, 29 Aug
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    29 Aug 2025, 09:00 – 31 Aug 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    29 Aug 2025, 09:00 – 31 Aug 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    Drum-making with Dawn, Louisa Shorney and the HeartShore Herd, cost to be decided.
    Share
  • Horse Dance : Dancing With The Beloved.
    Horse Dance : Dancing With The Beloved.
    Horse Dance : Dancing With The Beloved.
    Wed, 03 Sept
    Hertshore Horses
    03 Sept 2025, 09:00 – 07 Sept 2025, 17:00
    Hertshore Horses, Minchinhampton, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    03 Sept 2025, 09:00 – 07 Sept 2025, 17:00
    Hertshore Horses, Minchinhampton, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    The return of this beautiful and popular retreat at HeartShore, co-facilitated with Dawn Morgan and Anna Saqqara
    Share
  • Exploring the Shadow, Bringing Light to Dark Places.
    Exploring the Shadow, Bringing Light to Dark Places.
    Exploring the Shadow, Bringing Light to Dark Places.
    Fri, 12 Sept
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    12 Sept 2025, 09:00 – 14 Sept 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    12 Sept 2025, 09:00 – 14 Sept 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    Last in the series of four CPD programmes. Exploring the Shadow, Bringing Light to Dark Places. Co-facilitated with Nick Oakley-Smith.
    Share
  • Citrinitas Workshop
    Citrinitas Workshop
    Citrinitas Workshop
    Fri, 19 Sept
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    19 Sept 2025, 09:00 – 21 Sept 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    19 Sept 2025, 09:00 – 21 Sept 2025, 16:00
    Hertshore Horses, Stroud GL6 9BD, UK
    Citrinitas, third of the four classical alchemical stages. Following the pattern of the two earlier Seeking the Gold workshops, this is the third part of the alchemical process of change. Co-facilitated with Janet Jenkins.
    Share
  • The Rubedo Workshop
    The Rubedo Workshop
    The Rubedo Workshop
    Fri, 12 Dec
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon
    12 Dec 2025, 09:00 – 14 Dec 2025, 16:00
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon, North Devon District, UK
    12 Dec 2025, 09:00 – 14 Dec 2025, 16:00
    Cuckoo Farm, North Devon, North Devon District, UK
    The Rubedo, the fourth and final stage of the alchemical process.
    Share
  • Keep up to date with news and workshops at Heartshore
    Keep up to date with news and workshops at Heartshore
    Keep up to date with news and workshops at Heartshore
    Time is TBD
    Upcoming news and events
    Time is TBD
    Upcoming news and events
    Time is TBD
    Upcoming news and events
    There will be more workshops and events at Heartshore in the future. If you'd like to stay in the know, subscribe to our seasonal newsletter by clicking on the 'Register now' button.
    Share
Contact

Contact

If you'd like to know more about what we do at Heartshore,

we'd love to hear from you. 

Call us +44 07918 687031

Email: info@heartshorehorses.com

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page