Reiki with Horses vs Traditional Reiki — What's the difference?

Understanding the Power of Nature’s Co-Facilitators

You’ve likely heard of Reiki — the gentle Japanese energy healing practice that promotes balance, emotional clarity, and deep relaxation. But what happens when you bring horses into the mix?

At Welcome House Farm in Pennsylvania, Bess of Wholehearted Livings offers both traditional Reiki and what she calls Horse-Assisted Reiki. While both sessions work with the body’s energy systems, they offer different experiences:

Understanding Traditional Reiki?

Traditional Reiki vs Reiki with Horses typically happens indoors, in a treatment room. The practitioner gently places their hands near or lightly on your body to channel healing energy. It’s deeply soothing and great for energetic realignment.

What is Reiki with Horses?

Reiki with Horses, on the other hand, happens outdoors — often under the canopy of trees — with free-roaming horses nearby. The horses aren’t touched or used as tools. They serve as intuitive witnesses, tuning into your energy and often responding in ways that deepen the experience.

Clients often say that in the presence of horses, they feel more seen — not by a person, but by a sentient being that meets them without expectations. The horses’ slow breathing, stillness, and subtle movements seem to echo what’s going on inside.

If you’re someone who connects deeply to animals or feels most at peace in nature, Reiki with Horses may offer a more expansive, somatic healing experience.

Curious to try Horse-Assisted Reiki? Read about the sessions offered here.