By Jon Chown
The two horses seemingly took little notice as a small group of people sat in a circle across the pasture at Beyond Liberty horse sanctuary. They continued to munch on long green blades of grass while the eight people chatted, keeping an eye out, but seeing not to care much.
Angel Batt, owner of Beyond Liberty horse sanctuary, invites people into her ranch for a variety of activities to learn about the creatures and experience them. This morning, she was having a discussion about the ranch with volunteers and others interested in learning more.
She explained that the horses might or might not come over to visit, as was their right.
Angel Batt leads a group discussion about the wonders of the horse.
“Horses are naturally wary of humans because we are predators,” she explained. “We allow horses the choice to put up with us. They can choose to walk away. It makes a huge difference in the kinds of connections you’ll make.”
After the introduction, she began leading the group in breathing exercises and meditation.“These are spiritual animals,” Batt said. “They are attuned to us and to our emotions. …Sometimes they have lessons for us to learn.”
As the group fell quiet and their minds focused on breathing through the heart, the two horses slowly sauntered over to see what was going on. Ruby, the mother of the larger horse, initially stood a few feet away as Melody rubbed her big horse nose against the shoulder of a visitor deep in meditation, startling him into the present.
The group was awestruck.
“I thought at first that she (Batt) must have some grain in her pocket or something” said new volunteer Brenda Rocha regarding the horses’ apparent reaction to the mediation. “But it’s real.”
After they arrived, the two horses stayed for the rest of the session, seemingly listening in while being part of the circle. Batt told her personal story about how she came to love horses. When she was a young mom her daughter suffered from an autoimmune disease and was fighting clinical depression at age 8. Her daughter liked horses and, unable to get her near any without paying for lessons, she ponied up the money.
Melody the horse quietly listens to the discussion.
As her daughter got older, she and her mother became concerned about some of the things they would witness at equine events. Her daughter because interested in Carolyn Resnick and she earned an internship with the famous horse trainer, known for inventing Liberty Training. Batt said she absorbed a lot of knowledge through the experience.
“I learned that as soon as you put a halter on a horse, you take away it’s voice,” Batt said. “Horses have a code of conduct. If you don’t follow it, you won’t have their respect.”
Her love and respect for the animals led her to open a sanctuary to save horses from the slaughterhouse, neglect and abandonment. The nonprofit hosts a variety of workshops, wellness events and other activities aimed at connecting “nature, horses, and humans through consent, presence, and partnership.”
Batt founded Beyond Liberty in 2023. Naturally, her interest led to her meeting Lynne Hummer, who founded Pregnant Mare Horse Rescue in Watsonville more than 20 years ago. Over time, Hummer’s nonprofit has saved more than 860 horses from abuse or slaughter. Now, the two have announced a partnership.
“Together, we are combining our strengths: PMR’s long-standing work in rescue, sanctuary and advocacy, Beyond Liberty’s focus on true liberty for the horse, retirement, education, accessibility, nature and human-horse connection,” Hummer said.
Hummer said horses are special animals, connected to the Earth and humans in special ways. They also have healing capabilities and can help regulate your heart rate, blood pressure and entire central nervous system.
“They have an electromagnetic field 10 times larger than a human,” she said. “They will sync their heartbeat to yours within 10 minutes. They’re just amazing.”
Volunteer Cocoa Brown said being around the horses has been a big help to her. She said she came to the organization because she was dealing with grief and it helped dramatically with her mental well being.
“It’s a huge difference,” she said.
Batt said horses are wiser than people realize.
“They choose where to put their feet very mindfully. If they come to you, it’s not to be touched. They’re bringing something that they feel you need,” she said.
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To learn more about Beyond Liberty, its mission and the activities offered there, visit beyondliberty.org.
TOP PHOTO: Lynne Hummer interacts with Melody, a rescue horse, at Beyond Liberty in La Selva Beach on Nov. 23.