Hertha Lund, founder of Four Horses for Wholeness. (Credit: Courtesy of Four Horses for Wholeness)
Transformational Healing – With Horses
Hertha Lund is a master equine gestalt coach providing trauma-informed therapeutic services at her Montana horse ranch.
Nine years ago, Hertha Lund survived a near-death experience – and that made her rethink everything. She had spent decades working as an attorney, but came to realize that her busy career mainly served as a distraction from her own internal struggles. After undergoing her own healing journey, Lund decided to retrain as an equine gestalt coach, or someone who facilitates personal growth experiences through therapeutic sessions with horses. This work led her to open her own Montana horse ranch, Four Horses for Wholeness, where she offers trauma-informed healing opportunities with the help of her horses.
Here’s our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project.
How is your business different from others in your industry?
I offer healing with horses by way of retreats nestled in a high-mountain meadow in a remote area of Montana. By working with our horses in this beautiful natural setting, transformational healing is pretty much guaranteed.
Tell us about your biggest success so far.
Holding 10 retreats over the past six years. Attendees have said they were life-changing.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
My near-death experience. I wanted to return from it with a new purpose – so, I wrote a book and became an Equine Gestalt Coach. The next greatest challenge is building a business that has the reach to fulfill my dreams of partnering with horses long-term to assist others on their paths to wholeness.
Have you experienced any significant personal situations that affected your business decisions?
Until recently, I lived most of my life with complex post-traumatic stress disorder due to childhood trauma that I endured. My means of coping with my PTSD was to be an overachiever – which ultimately resulted in physical health problems. I was an attorney for 30 years, and it was the perfect profession for me to avoid facing my inner pain – until it turned into physical pain.
What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs?
Being an entrepreneur is like being an athlete. It requires tenacity, perseverance, resilience and the ability to learn how to move forward with inner softness and harmony.
How do you find inspiration on your darkest days?
By continuing my daily meditation and prayer practice. Also, I lean into my loving relationships with my husband, friends, horses and other fur friends.
What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days?
Songs of prayer.
Who is your most important role model?
My mentor, speaking coach Tricia Brouk. I admire how she shows up as a kind and loving entrepreneurial woman. ◾
Instagram: @FourHorsesforWholeness
Facebook: @FourHorsesforWholeness
Check out our Advice + Tips for entrepreneurs starting-up
Watch our latest videos
Subscribe to our podcast