Hi, I'm Frannie Chara
I am a professionally certified Life Coach, Spiritual Coach and Equine Facilitated Learning & Wellness Coach.
After an early retirement from a successful career as a process improvement leader where I held a Black Belt Six Sigma designation, I fully dedicated myself to my passion.
In 2014, I founded Balance With Hooves, located in North West New Brunswick, Canada. Since the creation of my equine guided therapeutic services center, I have had the privilege of working with numerous clients, guiding them on transformative journeys through the way of the horse.
My unique approach harnesses the profound connection between humans and horses to foster personal growth, emotional healing, and self-discovery. Each session is tailored to the individual’s needs, promoting a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their inner worlds, overcome obstacles, and achieve meaningful, lasting change.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed remarkable breakthroughs and heartfelt stories of transformation, reinforcing my commitment to this powerful, equine-assisted therapeutic practice.
In addition to my equine-assisted therapies, I also offer life coaching and spiritual coaching services. Whether working with my equine partners or not, I support clients in exploring deeper aspects of themselves, remembering their true essence, and identifying actionable steps to achieve their goals. Together, we uncover the root causes of their challenges, helping them move beyond obstacles and live the life they truly desire. My goal is to empower individuals to discover their true potential and lead fulfilling, authentic lives.
Our staple program is an equine-facilitated learning and wellness initiative designed to foster personal growth and transformation in children aged 12 and up, including teenagers. Through meaningful interactions with horses, participants develop essential life skills, build self-confidence, and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others. The program emphasizes personal development and emotional well-being, creating a supportive environment where young individuals can thrive and discover new dimensions of personal growth.
Our Soulful Living program is a cornerstone of our offerings, dedicated to assisting women in exploring and embracing their true selves. Through this transformative journey, participants delve into their spiritual knowledge, uncovering their life's purpose and deepening their self-awareness. This program empowers women to develop profound self-love and appreciation, helping them reconnect with their innate strengths and wisdom while fostering a sense of fulfillment and inner peace.
In 2023, I proudly launched the Horse Wisdom Facilitated Learning Certificate Program, a comprehensive course designed to impart the profound knowledge and skills necessary to guide others through equine-assisted learning experiences. This program delves into the deep, intuitive connections between humans and horses, providing participants with the tools to facilitate transformative personal and spiritual growth. Through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, students learn to harness the wisdom of horses to help individuals discover more about themselves, remember their true essence, and develop actionable plans to achieve their goals. The certificate program aims to empower a new generation of facilitators to bring the powerful healing and insightful experiences of horse wisdom to broader communities.
I also am a seasoned writer, having contributed to insightful blogs to "OfHorse", and more recently wrote an autobiographical self-help book published on Amazon.
Through my developed abilities of clairaudience and claircognizance, I effectively help my clients by working closely with my trusted herd.
With a holistic approach that combines practical coaching techniques and spiritual insights. My work with Balance With Hooves aims to foster growth, healing and wisdom through the unique and powerful bond between horse and human.
Welcome and enjoy exploring this site and learn more.
Love, Light & Blessings,
Frannie Chara & the BWH Herd
My Story & how does equine guided coaching work?
At 42, I embarked on a journey of authentic living, driven by a deep
desire to turn my dreams into reality. For the first time, I embraced
my true self and set my sights on a lifelong aspiration: owning a horse.
To immerse myself in the equine world, I began volunteering at a
local stable, mucking stalls just to be close to these magnificent
creatures. My passion grew as I took up riding, honing my skills and
participating in non-competitive events. Before long, I welcomed my
first horse, an ex-racehorse I named Chinook, into my life.
As my connection with Chinook deepened, I felt compelled to expand
my horizons beyond riding. The joy I found in caring for him sparked
a new ambition: to become a certified equine massage therapist.
After obtaining my certification, I felt a deep calling to support the healing of horses through Reiki, and I am now a Level 3 Reiki practitioner. This distinctive combination of massage and healing energy fosters mental, emotional, and physical harmony in horses. The gentle touch of massage, paired with the soothing energy of Reiki, creates a nurturing environment where horses can release tension, heal from past traumas, and find balance in their lives.
I started offering equine massage therapy on the side, eager to apply my skills and knowledge to help these magnificent creatures. However, during one particularly poignant session with a racehorse, I experienced an unexpected moment of connection that would change my perspective forever. As I worked on the horse, I suddenly sensed an urgent message emanating from him: "I don't want to do this anymore. Please help." The intensity of his plea struck me to my core. Instinctively, I replied, "I can't do anything for you; I don't own you." In that moment, I realized the weight of my words and the reality of the situation—the owner would likely disregard my suggestion to retire the horse, prioritizing performance over the animal's well-being.
Overcome with emotion, I questioned the reality of what had just happened. Was it possible that I had truly connected with this horse on such a profound level? The experience left me feeling vulnerable and conflicted, and ultimately, I chose to step back from equine massage therapy. I needed time to process the depth of that connection and the responsibility that came with it.
My passion for horses created a bond that is hard for many to understand. It transcends mere admiration; it is a deep-seated empathy for their struggles and a desire to advocate for their well-being. As my journey progressed, I encountered experiences and people who opened my eyes to a variety of equine practices I had never considered. I learned about the importance of listening to horses, not just through physical touch but also through understanding their emotions and needs.
This newfound awareness inspired me to join a horse learning program, where humans and horses work together for profound personal healing, personal and spiritual development. In this program, I discovered the transformative power of equine-assisted therapy, which emphasizes the emotional and psychological benefits of connecting with horses. I began to understand that healing is a two-way street; as I supported the horses in their healing journeys, they, in turn, helped me heal and grow as an individual.
In 2014, I found the strength to take a significant step and relocate myself, my daughter and my horses back to my hometown with no job awaiting me but with a strong sense of confidence all would work out and it did. By 2015, I had purchased my own farm, where I have been helping my clients achieve remarkable results.
In 2018, I took another courageous leap by leaving my corporate job to pursue studies in life coaching, ultimately earning my professional certification from Rhodes College, an accredited institution recognized by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). I was eager to equip myself with more tools to better serve others. Since then, I have also become certified as a Spiritual Coach, enhancing my ability to support and broaden my expertise.
What to expect?
On-site sessions - at liberty
My preferred approach is to let horses roam freely, whether in their stalls or out in the pasture. I truly believe that this natural method nurtures authentic connections and fosters genuine communication, guided by our intuitive insights.
Creating deep, heart-to-heart bonds with horses brings clarity to the obstacles that may hinder our growth and potential. Interestingly, horses have a unique ability to reveal what we need to move forward.
They do this by tuning into our energetic vibrations. As prey animals, they are highly attuned to their environment, which is crucial for their safety. They can sense our emotions and whether we are in alignment, mirroring our hidden feelings through their behavior, body language, and movements. This feedback
acts as a form of communication, allowing me to gain insights
that enhance self-awareness, ultimately empowering you
to make transformative changes in your life.
These sessions also help you develop your own intuition. We often
underestimate the wisdom we already hold within. I believe that
the divine—whether called God, Higher Power, or
Spirit—resides within us, facilitating direct communication through
our cultivated intuition. My beloved horse Chinook, who
has since transitioned, revealed to me that our higher selves
communicate with the horses' higher selves, creating the magic
that unfolds. The horses play a crucial role in helping us
experience this truth.
The core of equine-guided coaching is based on personal
experience. It goes beyond simple lessons; it’s about fully
experiencing and embodying those lessons in real-time,
which solidifies insights and fosters meaningful, lasting transformation.
On-site - structured activities
Our horse-facilitated learning services also offer a unique approach to personal development through structured activities with horses. By engaging in carefully designed, hands-on experiences, participants gain valuable insights and skills that enhance their emotional intelligence, communication, and self-awareness. These experiential learning sessions provide a transformative experience, leveraging the intuitive and responsive nature of horses to foster growth and understanding in a supportive and dynamic environment.
Distance/on-line sessions
If you're curious about the idea of online equine-guided coaching, you might be asking yourself: "How can a horse sense my energy through a video call? Can distance truly have an impact?"
The reality is that energy knows no boundaries; it transcends both space and time. This phenomenon can be felt regardless of the distance between us. While it may seem challenging to grasp in our daily lives, scientific research supports this idea. Esteemed figures like Dr. Joe Dispenza and the HeartMath Institute have explored this topic extensively, providing a wealth of studies that validate these concepts.
Moreover, during a heartfelt connection with my cherished Chinook, I learned that the magic unfolds at a level beyond our conscious awareness. The higher selves of the horses and our own higher selves connect, creating experiences designed to illuminate the lessons we need to learn.
Many clients who participate in remote sessions find themselves amazed by their experiences, which often defy their traditional beliefs. When we open ourselves to this potential and engage with it wholeheartedly, belief naturally follows.
Regardless of the path you choose, my goal is to empower individuals to embrace new opportunities and help them craft the next chapters of their lives by releasing limiting beliefs and embracing their true selves. The horses play a vital role in guiding us toward this deep understanding.
So, why not take that initial step?
Schedule a free clarity call, and let’s explore how my horse partners and I can support you in living the authentic life you deserve, the one you were meant to lead from the moment you were created.
Love, Light & Blessings,
Frannie Chara & The Balance With Hooves Herd
Contact
Achieve your goals in living authentically.
Let's connect.