Healing Horses
T ALL BEGAN over 25 years ago when parents brought
their 8- year old autistic son to visit Michele Davis’ horse,
IMcDougall, at Serendipity Stables, her small farm in York
Center, Oh. Their boy was comatose and stiff-unable to move
his limbs, speak or make eye contact. They’d heard it was ben-
eficial for autistic children to be with horses and that old Mac
was gentle and safe. They really didn’t know what to expect.
Moments after being laid face-down on the old horse’s
back, with his arms encircling Mac’s neck, the boy began
moving his fingers in an attempt to pet the horse. He also
began to vocalize as he tried to speak for the first time.
Michele and the boy’s parents looked on in amazement—the
parents in tears, Michele in shock. What was going on?
Of course, the boy and his parents returned many times.
With each weekly visit, the child exhibited more positive
changes. Within six months, he was able to function well in his
daily activities, including school. The news spread fast. Others
with all kinds of frailties started coming to visit Old Mac.
Meanwhile, Davis began researching the phenomenon she
was witnessing day-after-day and discovered that
McDougall’s behavior was like that of a Medicine Horse in the
Native American tradition. Interestingly, the Medicine Horses
were always associated with a Medicine Man or Medicine
Woman.
After six years of healing miracles, Mac transferred his
healing abilities to one of Davis’ mares, Sere, and then to all
the horses at the farm. Sere, in turn, trained new horses to carry
on Mac’s healing legacy when he transitioned at the age of 50,
the oldest horse on record in the US.
Hundreds of lives have been changed at Serendipity, but
it’s difficult to describe what’s actually happening there. It
really must be felt. The air’s thick with “It.” Some people weep
upon entering the barn. Many see angels. Some say, “I think
I’m in the presence of high spiritual beings.” It’s wordless
interaction of human and non-human on all levels. In addition
to the healing the horses provide, Davis conveys in words what
the Healing Horses have to tell the visitors.
An open house is held the second Sunday of every month
between 12 and 4 P.M. The public is invited to experience Sere
Brett Cain, RN, M.AC., MQP
and her disciples, Jewel, Maille, Charm, Patches, Mystique,
and Sweet Adeline who’s famous for saving people in the
2002 tornado that hit the farm and as the first and only living
ACUPUNCTURIST
horse whose leg was rebuilt. But that’s another story.
Nationally Board Certified (NCCAOMs)
About the author: Alexandra Makris, M.A., is co-author, with
Hyde Park, OH • Florence & Fort Mitchell, KY Michele Davis, PhD, of the picture book, Magical Mac, The
True Story of a Healing Horse. Contact her at 614.571.5281.
acuhealth@att.net 513-373-5021
Sessions with the Healing Horses are by appointment, usually
on the weekends.
8 Whole Living Journal May-June 2008
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