Kody Kerkeslager
Horsemanship Instructor and Equine Professional; Trained in Natural Lifemanship
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about” -Wendy Mass, "The Candy Makers"
Growing up, Kody loved horses and was fortunate enough to have a neighbor with horses he could help take care of. He always knew he wanted to get more involved with horses, and in 2023, he found Take Heart during a high school graduation assignment. Kody began volunteering immediately after his first visit, and soon joined the barn staff. Here he began his equine journey. Breaking his foot in the middle of winter didn’t stop Kody from coming to the barn – he persevered and learned all he could about horses – their care, how they think, handling them safely, and communicating with them clearly. As soon as he was healed, he began doing more groundwork and riding – and he knew horses would be a significant part of his future.
After being at Take Heart for over a year, Kody decided to pursue horsemanship as a career. He is eager to make a positive impact on the horse world for the better. He wants to show that action speaks louder than words and that true connection between horse and human is like no other thing in the world. The way you can work together to perform a trick or get a job done. How at the end of the day it is just you and your horse. The love you have grows deeper and deeper with each shared moment, each quiet exchange, and every challenge you face together. There’s a unique language that develops between you, a bond built on trust, respect. When you ride or work together, it’s like everything else fades away, and it’s just the two of you, working as one. It’s not just about what you do; it’s about the way you do it, the silent communication that flows between you, the way you support each other, and the love that grows with every step. In the end, it’s the partnership you share that matters the most—the quiet strength that comes from knowing you’ve got each other’s backs, no matter what.
One of Kody’s favorite things to do with horses is liberty. Liberty is the communication between human and horse with nothing attaching them. It is purely communication with body language and understanding. Kody is fascinated with liberty because both the horse and human have 100% choice in the interaction. They are free to do whatever they want, when they want to. Your imagination can run wild and you can do endless things WITH the horse as a truly connected partner. The way liberty can show trust and respect between horse and human without using words is amazing. It’s an art Kody hopes to master one day.
You may see Kody around the barn helping with other things as well. Kody is currently still on our barn staff, and helps as an equine professional for counseling sessions, therapy groups, and corporate retreats. Kody also leads our Line Dance on the Ranch lessons, and in addition to Connected Horsemanship lessons, leads camps and clinics as well. In his spare time on the ranch, you’ll find him trail riding, working with his favorite horse Boone, or skijoring when there’s snow on the ground. Off the ranch, Kody enjoys country line dancing, rodeos, vacationing in the mountains, and spending time with family and friends.
To contact Kody, email Kody@TakeHeartCounseling.com.
Reach out to our intake coordinator through our contact page to get started, or click the button below.
What Horses Did For Me...
Horses helped bring awareness to the subtle or small stuff happening in the moment. Whether it was a small win in our session together or a small thing I need to shift in our ride to become more successful - either way there is something to learn in every interaction between horse and human. If it's a win, now you know what is needed to get it right again. If it's a failure, it's a learning opportunity - now you can change what you do next time. One time I was playing at liberty with a horse, and my colleague walked by and saw me struggling trying to communicate clearly. She realized my facial expression was hard because I was so focused, and told me to relax it. I relaxed my face and immediately my ask was received by the horse. From something as simple as softening my face from a hard expression to a soft expression, I realized how small things can make a world of difference in my communication with the horse. I now check in with my body often when playing at liberty or on a rope, or when riding, to make sure my communication is clear and not confusing.
Ready to start your
life changing journey?
Wherever you are at on your journey, we are here for you. Our human and equine team will walk alongside you so you can find hope, healing, and wholeness in your life. You are worth it. Don't hesitate, reach out to us today.