Ollie’s 5th Birthday!

by MaryBeth Hyland | Nov 2, 2026

How Energy Healing Helped Transform a Reactive Horse into a Healing Companion

Ollie turned 5 this week. And our special guy almost didn’t make it past three. 🥹🐴

You see, Ollie’s previous owner and his energy weren’t a good fit.

He was extremely reactive, emotional, and sometimes dangerous. His sensitivities were so extreme that after trying to work with him without making progress, she believed the kindest thing was to euthanize him. 💉

She worried his next owner would beat him into submission. And she genuinely believed euthanasia would give him peace.

But deep down, I knew that wasn’t his destiny.

At the time, I didn’t have horses of my own and didn’t plan to.

But I was about to leave for a month-long training experience where I’d learn how to tame a wild mustang with energy work and at-liberty connection. I was convinced I could learn something there that would help Ollie, so I asked her to wait until I got back. She agreed.

Right before I left for my training, she asked me to feed her horses while she was traveling.

⚠️She warned me extensively: “Do NOT get in a corner with Ollie. He’s dangerous!” He could kick, rear, and become unpredictable at the smallest trigger.

I took her warning seriously.

But then somehow found myself wedged between Ollie, a metal shelter, and two other draft horses. I leaned against the fence and…ZAP! ⚡

I didn’t realize it was hot-wired. Instinctively, I jumped and screamed.

And my immediate thought was: I’m going to die now. Ollie is going to run me over. ☠️

The other two horses ran away. But, shockingly, Ollie did the opposite.

He slowly walked toward me with his head down, placed his nose on the exact spot where I’d been shocked, let out a huge exhale…and then just stood with me.

I started crying. 😭

This “dangerously sensitive” horse was incredibly in tune, gentle and loving.

And I remember thinking: Ollie’s not a bad horse. He’s misunderstood. He just needs help regulating his emotions.

What If His Sensitivity Wasn’t the Problem?

I learned the power of energy work during my mustang training experience and started to do it for Ollie remotely.

His then-owner told us she noticed a difference immediately. He wasn’t as reactive or unpredictable. And he actually seemed to enjoy himself more.

We adopted Ollie shortly after and life has never been the same.

Over the last two years, he’s been at the top of James’s client list for energy work. 😂

James has worked with him around trapped emotions connected to fear, insecurity, triggers, and feeling unsafe. And we watched Ollie change before our eyes.

The horse, who seemed constantly on alert for threats, began lying with his head in my lap to nap.

Sleeping peacefully in the sunshine. Trusting.

Not overnight. Not in a perfectly straight line. But day by day.

And somewhere along the way, the label “dangerously sensitive” became “highly emotionally intelligent.”

That one hits close to home for me. 🎯

Growing up, people treated my sensitivity like one of my worst qualities. I was teased, bullied and physically punished for having big emotions. “Don’t cry or I’ll give you something to cry about!” still burns in my memory.

So when Ollie’s previous owner joked about spray-painting “FREE” on him because they wanted to get rid of him so badly, it broke my heart in a familiar way. I know what it feels like to believe your big emotions made you a worthless problem.

And I know now that’s a big part of why Ollie and I were destined for one another. 💞

The Horse We Helped Heal Became My Healer

Today, I wouldn’t just trust Ollie with someone vulnerable.

I’d seek him out for them.

For the past year and a half, he’s been my go-to horse for Healing With Horses livestreams. He joins James for Tai Chi, breathwork, and energy-work session livestreams. (👉 check some of those out here)

And just this week, Ollie did his first 1×1 in-person equine experience and was an absolute rockstar. Creating openings and realizations that never would have emerged without him.

This horse, once considered too sensitive for this world, is now helping people everywhere embrace their sensitivities. 🌍

We even gave him a new name: Oliver Sunshine. ☀️ Because that’s exactly what he is.

(Fun Fact: I have an entire album where there’s a beam of light hitting Ollie. Just him. Every time.)

I have no idea who I’d be today without him.

He’s held space for me while I’ve cried.
He’s brought me back during my biggest panic attacks.
He’s made me laugh when life felt too serious.
He’s taught me patience, presence, and what it feels like to be loved without hiding my emotions.

There’s something incredibly humbling about realizing that while you’re trying to help another being heal…they might be healing you right back.

Help Us Celebrate Ollie 🎉

Now our sweet boy is FIVE. 😭❤️A shift from our big baby to a tween in horse years.

If Ollie’s story has made you curious about the energy work that has been part of his healing journey, you can book a session with James for yourself or an animal you love.

Maybe there’s something you (or they) are ready to release, too.

✨Book an Energy Session with James

Or, if you just want to spoil the birthday boy, Ollie would love that, and I’m sure it’s an excellent option 😂. We have a wish list with some things we know he’d love.