Ashley Simoni

I honestly can’t remember a time in my life when horses weren’t part of it. From the moment I was four years old and someone lifted me onto a horse for the very first time, everything in me clicked — that feeling of connection, of calm, of being exactly where I was meant to be. That single moment shaped the rest of my life.

From then on, I lived and breathed horses. I tried to wear my breeches to school (that didn’t go over well), and when I wasn’t riding, I was grooming, cleaning stalls, or just sitting quietly in the barn. For a big part of my childhood, we had horses right in our backyard — they were my world. And when we no longer had them at home, I still found myself spending every free moment at the barn. It didn’t matter if I was riding or just sitting in a stall sharing a snack; being near them brought me a sense of peace I couldn’t find anywhere else.

Now, over 35 years later, I’ve spent a lifetime learning to read horses — their expressions, their breathing, the subtle shifts in their bodies that tell you exactly how they’re feeling. Horses speak through movement and energy long before they ever act out or shut down. They’re honest, sensitive, and deeply intuitive animals. If you slow down enough, they’ll show you everything you need to know.

That’s what led me to Reiki. I wanted a way to support horses beyond training or routine care — something that addressed the emotional and energetic side of what they carry. Horses are prey animals by nature, always alert, always scanning their surroundings for safety. Even when they appear calm, that instinct never really turns off. Over time, that constant state of awareness can create tension and stored energy in their bodies, just like stress does for us.

Reiki gives them a safe space to release that. It helps their nervous systems reset — gently, naturally, and without force. During a session, the horse decides what happens. I don’t “make” anything occur; I simply hold space for whatever they’re ready to let go of. Some yawn, lick, chew, or sigh; others just soften in their eyes and take a deep breath. Each one responds differently, but the goal is always the same: to give them a moment of peace in a world where they’re wired to stay on alert.

For me, this work is more than a service — it’s a way of giving back to the animals that shaped who I am. Horses have always grounded me, and through Reiki, I get to return that favor in a way that’s calm, respectful, and completely on their terms.