Michelle McLeod

Michelle McLeod comes from a long line of horsewomen and is the third generation in her family to dedicate her life to Arabian horses. Beginning with her grandmother, her family shares more than a century of experience in breeding, training, and showing these remarkable animals.

 

After many years in the show world, Michelle stepped away, feeling disillusioned by the politics and treatment of horses within competitive environments. For a time, she believed her chapter with horses had come to an end.

 

Nearly a decade ago, however, horses found their way back into her life. Her partner Mike, an Eagala-certified practitioner, rescued an Arabian gelding and began offering equine-assisted therapy sessions. Around the same time, Michelle’s sister Maggie pursued formal certification in equine-assisted coaching. Michelle quietly supported their work while drawing on her own decades of hands-on experience with horses.

 

In the past year, Michelle experienced profound personal loss with the passing of both her sister Maggie and her partner Mike. Facing the potential loss of their small herd—three horses and a beloved mule—brought her back to the core of why horses have always been such an important part of her life.

 

A quiet moment with her mule, Charlotte, reminded Michelle that her work with horses was not finished. Today, she honors the legacy of those she loved by continuing the work of equine-assisted healing, helping others reconnect with themselves through the wisdom, presence, and partnership of horses.