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The Charcoal Horse:
Equine & Expressive Arts Sessions
A Signature Module that deepens the transformative impact of your equine-assisted learning, coaching, or other retreat programs. Charcoal Horse is a signature 3-hour module that seamlessly integrates professionally guided equine encounters with therapeutic expressive arts.
What are Charcoal Horse Sessions?
Charcoal Horse sessions are a 3 - 3.5 hour facilitated module that pairs a specially designed, unmounted equine encounter with a therapeutic expressive arts session. This module is both a standalone program; and a complementary experience crafted to fit within your existing retreat or workshop flow. It’s the perfect creative integration to any equine-assisted learning or personal development day.
Benefits for Your Retreat or Program
Why Add an Expressive Arts Module?
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Deepen Client Integration: Transform ephemeral insights from equine-assisted sessions into tangible artifacts, solidifying learning and self-awareness.
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Increase Perceived Value: Offer a unique, art-based modality that clients adore—creating shareable moments and memorable takeaways that boost referrals.
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Enhance Your Theme: The module is tailored to reflect and amplify your program’s core theme—be it shadow work, leadership, celebration, or release—for a perfectly cohesive experience.
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Creates a Integrative Moment: Provide a structured, reflective peak that enhances the emotional arc of your day, leaving participants feeling profoundly seen and processed.
Upcoming Events in San Miguel de Allende
Gold = Spirit Horse Journeys - Rancho Baile de la Luna
Blue = Cowgirl Retreats - The Ranch SMA
These are sessions, retreats and week long cowgirl camps that all focus on Equine Assisted Inspiration (Spirit Horse) or Equine Assisted Celebrations (Cowgirl) and will feature a Charcoal Horse segment.
About This Work
This is an invitation to a different kind of conversation - one without words. Here, you'll connect with a horse, discovering how your inner state is mirrored in their honest presence. That felt experience then becomes creative form, as you translate sensation into mark-making with simple, primal materials.
It’s not therapy or an art session, but a way to access deeper knowing, complete a cycle of feeling, and externalize what’s within. I simply hold the space. You are the author. Come listen through your body, through the horse, and through the ancient act of saying: I felt this.
This method is supported by neuroscience. The non-verbal, somatic (body) connection with a horse engages the right hemisphere, accessing emotional and intuitive responses that bypass the analytical mind. Creative expression then gives shape to these unspoken feelings, allowing new awareness to surface. By translating a body-based experience into a symbolic form and reflecting on it, the process integrates both sides of the brain - weaving together intuitive feeling and logical understanding - to create lasting, coherent insight.
How It Works: The Seamless Flow
A Step-by-Step Integration for Facilitators
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Transition: You conclude your core session. I smoothly transition the group to the equine space.
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The Equine Encounter (60-75 min): I facilitate a guided, unmounted (liberty or line) session focused on metaphor and material-gathering, directly tying into your workshop's theme.
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Transition to Creative Space: The group moves to a prepared art area.
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The Expressive Arts Session (60-75 min): Using simple, premium materials (charcoal, natural pigments, art paper), I guide participants through therapeutic art-making—such as drawing, intuitive collaging, or journaling—to process their equine encounter and create a personal artifact.
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Handback: I facilitate a brief closing for the module, and you seamlessly resume leadership for final group sharing or closure.
Our Partnership: Clear Roles
My Role:
I provide full facilitation of The Charcoal Horse module. This includes all thematic design, session leadership, high-quality art materials, and cleanup.
Your Role:
You provide the overall program container, your client group, and the necessary logistics: access to suitable horse(s) and a covered, dry area for art (a barn aisle with a sturdy table works perfectly).
Logistics At a Glance
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Time: 2.5 - 3 hours total for the module.
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Group Size: Ideal for 4 to 8 participants.
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Space Needed: A safe equine area (round pen, small sandy paddock) + a basic table under shelter for art. (We pre-plan which of your equines are best suited for the planned activities)
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Location: Service available for retreats and workshops in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and surrounding areas.
About Your Facilitator
Marti McGinnis
I bring decades of expertise to ensure a professional, profound experience for your clients.
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Accredited Certification as a Therapeutic Expressive Arts Facilitator.
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Years of hands-on experience in Equine Assisted Learning and coaching.
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A lifelong artist and workshop leader dedicated to creative integration and somatic healing.
Let's Collaborate in 2026!
Integrate The Charcoal Horse into Your Next Retreat
Ready to offer your clients a deeper, more creative transformation? The Charcoal Horse is available as a contracted service for your upcoming programs.
Contact me to discuss integration, themes, and scheduling:
Marti McGinnis
WhatsApp/Email: martimu@gmail.com
Let's create something extraordinary for your participants.
