We were lucky to catch up with Adrienne Thompson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Adrienne , we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
Growing up I never knew my father. When I was two years old my father was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He lived in and out of mental institutions, halfway houses and was homeless for years. I always felt different from my peers because of my father’s very unique situation. I was always considered a sensitive child and a bit of an empath. Because my father was unlike the other kid’s fathers I always had a soft spot for homeless people and people society deemed “different”. I remember one time in high school my friend drove me home after school. On the side of the road I saw my dad digging in a garbage can. I said to my friend, “pull over! That’s my dad!” My friend laughed at me thinking I was making a joke but when she looked at my face she could see I was serious. She pulled over and I got out and chatted with my dad. He was looking for cigarette butts. I gave him the money I had in my pocket, hugged and kissed him and got back in my friend’s car. Her eyes wide and jaw hanging open. I have always had a generous heart for those in need. Many times I have shared a lunch with a homeless person or given money freely to someone in need even when my own money was tight. I’ve volunteered in homeless women’s shelters and soup kitchens. My father passed away many years ago but the greatest gift he gave me was a heart of kindness, empathy and generosity for those less fortunate. I’m not sure if I would’ve been that way if I hadn’t had such a unique upbringing.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am an equine body worker, massage and reiki practitioner. I was certified as a reiki master back in 2019 and started doing energy work with horses. As my practice strengthened I then started school with Equine Natural Movement School in 2021 in Washington state where I learned how to feel for fascial restrictions in the horses body and how to reorganize the horse’s body and help them realign their bodies in relation to gravity for freedom of movement and relief from tension and pain. I graduated in 2023. The school also covered basic massage techniques. I incorporate my understanding of energetics with Rolfing and massage which helps horses heal physically, frees restriction in movement and offers the horse relief from stress and pain. My work is unique and special because I work with horses! Horses are magical!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three most important qualities that were most impactful in my journey were patience, trust and understanding the client (the horse) is the master teacher. Patience is paramount in the work I do. Gaining trust in a horse takes time and it takes time for the horse to understand what I’m doing. Most horses when are approached by a human other than their owner are about to get their hooves done, a shot by a veterinarian or they’re going to be asked to do work or exercise. Sometimes it takes the horse a couple sessions to understand what bodywork is and why I am there. With patience comes trust between the horse and myself. I have to trust my training for safety around a large animal and the horse has to trust me because my work is all about touch. Once they trust what I do and who I am the horses are very keen on my practice. Lastly knowing the horse, where it holds pain, what feels good and doesn’t feel good. This process requires a getting to know you process and since horses are prey animals they don’t usually show where they are holding pain. Once they undersea I’m there to relieve them from pain, it’s a beautiful process.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
This question is sort of a “how big is your dream” question. If my imagination could run free without borders I would like to collaborate with some sort of non profit where I could collaborate with prison systems for inmates about to be released back into society and need work skills. I would love to facilitate a course that would train inmates how to do the work I do with horses so they can acquire a skill for when they’re back out in the real world. Working with horses not only heals the horse but it is therapeutic for the human. The horse will mirror your own pain and challenge you to grow. The horse will teach you patience and confidence that will carry over into the interactions you have with humans. Caring for something literally bigger than yourself and being an integral part of its healing will transform you in new ways to navigate the world. I believe in the potential of people and I believe in second chances. To start a program that not just teaches inmates how to care for horses but also gives them tools for a possible career would be paramount in the future of someone whose life needs a do over. If someone were to want to collaborate with me on this project they can contact me through my website.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://socalequinemassage.com
- Instagram: unwound_equine
- Facebook: Unwound Equine
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