Connecting Humans and Horses Through Nature | Maria Alessandri’s Journey

Note: This is a personal story shared in the guest’s own words. It reflects their lived experience and connection with nature, not a fact-checked report. These stories are held with care and shared to inspire healing and reflection.

Welcome back to another story from of Healing in Nature Stories series! I’m thrilled to share today’s powerful story with you.

It’s the story of Maria Alessandri, founder of the Horse and People Project, and how she brought together her passion for horses, people, and nature to create something truly magical.

From the corporate world to a life built around deep connections with horses, Maria’s journey is a beautiful example of how following your heart can lead you to exactly where you need to be.

Maria has spent her life connecting people to horses and guiding them on a path of personal discovery and growth.

Today, we dive deep into how horses can teach us valuable lessons about communication, leadership, and vulnerability, and how they have played an important role in Maria’s own healing journey.

Maria’s Story: From Corporate Life to the Horse and People Project

Maria's journey didn’t start in the world of horses. She grew up in New York City, far from the natural surroundings where most people would expect someone with her deep passion for horses to be raised.

But Maria had always felt a pull to them.

"I was definitely one of these kids that was obsessed with horses. And I grew up in New York City, parents from South America. We moved to Queens, and you know, obviously it’s not horse country, but I saw a policeman, a mounted policeman, and I followed him back to his barn because I just… seeing a horse in real life was just amazing to me."

Her fascination with horses began with a simple encounter. Maria followed the policeman to his barn, and soon enough, she was spending every moment she could there, helping out however she could, even if it meant cleaning the barn.

"I slowly just started helping around the barn, and they were gracious enough to let me stay. If it meant cleaning, doing their work for them, like of the horse care, I didn’t care because it meant I got to be with the horses."

Maria’s connection to horses was undeniable, even though she didn’t grow up on a farm. She was determined to find a way to be with them, no matter what it took. That passion stayed with her throughout her life.

"I knew that it was a passion of mine and it was gonna happen somehow."

The Turning Point: A Rescue Horse and the Power of Partnership

As Maria transitioned into the corporate world and began raising children, she never lost sight of her passion for horses.

She adopted a thoroughbred off the track, a rescue who had been in a kill pen. It was a powerful moment for her, but it also came with challenges.

"I thought I had the skills and then working with him, just the two of us, I’m like, wow, this is way over my head. I didn’t realize that it was just he had been in such a bad situation. How do you recover like the rescue? It’s not so easy for him to trust humans again when he’s been treated badly."

Maria's new horse, while desperately in need of care, was also full of fear from his past trauma. Maria found herself turning to natural horsemanship, seeking a way to build trust with her horse without resorting to dominance.

"I found a trainer that understood more natural horsemanship and partnering rather than dominance, because the first trainers were kind of dominant-oriented. And when I did that, then my horse ran away from me, and I thought, eh, I think I’m making him more scared of me rather than making him happy to be with me."

It was through the practice of natural horsemanship that Maria realized this journey wasn’t just about the horse... It was about her own personal growth.

"It was a big shift for me. It wasn’t about the horse. It was about me. And that’s when the connection to self really began to grow."

Communication Lessons: Horses and Humans Are Not That Different

One of the most profound realizations that Maria had while working with her horses was how similar the relationship between humans and horses can be to human relationships.

She saw how communication patterns with horses mirrored those she experienced in her relationships with people.

"I came to the barn once, and my horse came running to me, and she said, ‘Whoa, how is that?’ Because she was used to leaving a rope on her horse 24/7. And I thought, why do you keep that? And she said, ‘Because she runs away.’"

Maria explained how the bond with her horse was built on time spent together, a balance of giving and receiving, rather than only a performance based connection.

"I just come and I see him, and I spend time with him. And sometimes we go for walks, and I don’t always have to ride him. So if I do ride him, then maybe he gets a bath and he gets to eat the fresh grass outside of the field. Like, kind of balance it with something fun for him so that it’s not that every time he sees me, he thinks, ‘Oh, she’s gonna make me work.’"

This was a major turning point for Maria as she realized that just as horses need time to trust and engage with us, so do the people in our lives. The idea of expectations in relationships is often full of conflict and misunderstanding.

"It’s about partnership, about listening more, about not blaming. You can’t blame a horse. I mean, if you do, it just goes nowhere."

She began to see how this understanding could translate into better leadership and communication with the people around her—whether it was at work, with her children, or with her colleagues.

Lessons from Horses: The Power of Presence and Leadership

As Maria continued her work with horses, she realized that the biggest lesson wasn’t just in communication—it was in being present and intentional in everything you do.

"One of the hardest things for people sometimes is waiting. Like, make your request and wait. And if the horse doesn’t move, then okay, let’s request again with a little more pressure. Then if he doesn’t move, is he understanding? Like, it’s all these different thought processes."

She shares how important it is to be intentional in our actions, to make requests with clarity, and to be patient enough to wait for a response.

"You can’t be wishy-washy when you ask for things. If you don’t know what you’re asking for, then it’s not really fair to ask."

This approach to leadership and communication, which she learned from the horses, helped her in every area of her life.

The lessons Maria learned with horses empowered her to approach relationships with more clarity, honesty, and a greater understanding of herself.

Reflections from Me: The Healing Power of Nature

As I listened to Maria’s story, I was reminded of how nature has a quiet but profound way of guiding us back to ourselves.

Maria’s journey with horses isn’t just about the connection with the animals; it’s about the way they reflect back to us the parts of ourselves that need healing and attention.

I was especially struck by Maria’s realization that healing was about her own growth and self-awareness—something we often overlook when we’re focused solely on what we can do for others.

Her horses didn’t just teach her how to communicate with animals; they taught her how to be present, authentic, and intentional.

“Horses don’t like inauthenticity. They don’t get it. They don’t understand fakeness. They’re a hundred percent honest.”

Nature, like horses, doesn’t ask us to pretend. It simply invites us to show up as we are.

And as Maria’s story beautifully illustrates, when we can do that, whether with animals or the people in our lives, that’s when true healing begins.

Why I’m Sharing This Story

Maria’s story is a beautiful reminder that healing doesn’t always come from conventional methods.

It can come from the places we least expect, like a barn, or in her case, a rescue horse who taught her more than any corporate job ever could.

It’s a reminder to how the wisdom of nature and animals can guide us to a more authentic, balanced life.

Maria’s connection with her horses helped her to become a better communicator, a more mindful leader, and a present mother.

I’m sharing Maria’s story because I believe there is something here for everyone. Whether it’s the connection with nature, the lessons in communication, or the understanding that we’re not always in control of every situation, her journey reminds us of the power of listening to those subtle cues in life, whether from horses, humans, or nature itself.

Maria, Thank You

Maria, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story with us.

Your work with horses and people is truly transformative, and I know it has touched so many lives, including my own.

Your journey is a great example of how we can learn, grow, and heal through the deep connection we have with nature and the animals around us.

🎥 Want to Watch the Full Conversation?

In our full conversation, Maria shares even more insights into the healing power of horses and the lessons they can teach us.

We talk about how animals call us out on our behavior, the importance of clarity in communication, and the deep emotional bonds we can form with animals when we approach them with authenticity.

Come join us. Listen. Reflect. Heal.

Want to Connect with Maria?

Maria is open to connecting with anyone who resonates with her journey and would love to share more about the power of horses and nature in healing.

📲 Feel free to check out her website at https://www.horseandpeopleproject.com/ or follow her on LinkedIn/Facebook.

🌱 Over to You

How has your relationship with animals or nature impacted your life? Do you have a horse story or experience that has taught you valuable life lessons?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

And if you’ve experienced a transformative moment in nature that you’d like to share, please feel free to comment below - I’d be honored to read your story, and if interested - feature you as a guest.

With love and respect for your journey,

Klara!

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Disclaimer: Healing in Nature Stories features personal reflections shared by each guest in their own words. These stories are not fact-checked or edited for accuracy, but offered as authentic expressions of lived experience, memory, and meaning. The intention is to create space for healing, connection, and the role of nature in each person’s journey—not to verify details or retell events objectively.

Thank you for reading with an open heart.