Help Navajo Nation spiritual leaders continue to promote peace and healing among rescued equines.

Navajo (Diné) People, who still revere the ancient teachings of their culture, believe in the horses’ (and their relatives : donkeys, mules, etc.) ability to help us heal both physically and emotionally (this belief has been applied in recent years through the increased use of horses in therapeutic rehabilitation programs). Unfortunately for the horses, they absorb the negative emotions and energy of people they come in contact with. That being said, the purpose of a Horse Blessing Ceremony is to nullify the negative energy the horses carry.

What is a Navajo Horse Blessing Ceremony?

Although each ceremony is unique, the Horse Blessing Ceremony typically opens with the Navajo Creation Story of the horse and explains why the horse is so sacred to their culture. Stories are then told about the importance of connecting with nature, making time for family and loved ones, reevaluating our “needs” and embracing simplicity.

Those in attendance are then invited to gather greens from the horses’ environment to be mixed with the medicinal herbs collected by a Navajo Medicine Person. Hot coals are added to create a moist, fragrant smoke. This smudge, as it is referred to, is the medicine that is offered to the horses.

As sacred songs are sung and the smudge is taken to the horses, the healing properties begin and energy work (think: reiki) is performed. Those in attendance bear witness to the negative and unhealthy energy leaving the horses’ bodies, as they sigh, yawn and even roll on the ground (well known in the horse world as classic signs of release followed by inner peace). In this safe environment, conducive to emotional processing and release, the healing goes beyond what could have been achieved on a purely physical level.

Who performs the ceremony?

Ceremonies are performed by Gino Antonio.Gino Antonio is a Practitioner's Assistant of Traditional Navajo Ceremonies. He, too, is a member of the Navajo Nation, making his home on the Navajo Reservation lands of Arizona. Gino became interested in horses after his elders told him stories about his grandfather's horsemanship skills. He was given the opportunity to learn to ride by his cousin and vividly recalls riding bareback at a full gallop, letting go of the reins with arms outstretched and just being present with the horse at that moment. He says: "His legs were mine and my arms were his wings."

Gino's is an U.S Army Veteran, former Alumnus of the University of Arizona and the Institute of American Indian Arts, and co-founder, President and Field Director for Pollen Circles, Inc.

What are the impacts?

There are multiple impacts that will result from this initiative. Included are the following:

. Gino and freinds will welcome groups of people interested of learning about the Navajo sacred knowledge and myths of horses, on the Reservation, near Window Rock, AZ

· Gino will perform Navajo Horse Blessing Ceremonies at rescue sanctuaries and therapeutic equine centers in France and Switzerland, and possibly elsewhere in Europe. The Horse Blessing Ceremonies will be provided at no cost to financially constrained organizations. Gino have made a commitment to sharing their culture with the human attendees at these ceremonies.

The long-term benefit of the financial support you provide may result in the following:

· The full recovery of horses (physically, spiritually and emotionally) so that they may continue their journey through life in a more harmonious state with nature, their herdmates and the humans who care for them.

· A higher standard of well-being for each horse coupled with dramatic, positive changes to the horse's demeanor.

· The opportunity for Gino to share their knowledge, skills and beautiful culture with a wider audience.

· Healing of the land, people and animals (including wildlife) at each ceremony.

· Reinvigorating the spirit of equine rescuers so that they may continue their important and compassionate work.

Gino’s ability to extend their healing work to facilities internationally is currently limited due to their lack of funds as well as the limited resources of the equine rescue sanctuaries themselves. This campaign is intended to overcome this obstacle. We are eager to get this operation off the ground, but we need your help to make it happen!

Thanks to Andrea Neimann and the Navajo Horse Healing Project for the English translation .