ARTICLE 8 - USING REIKI TO CLEAR FEAR AND TRAUMA

Animals, like us, experience fear and trauma, which can be stored in their bodies and later manifest as physical conditions.

Reiki is a powerful tool for releasing stored trauma, potentially preventing physical conditions from developing.

Sometimes, trauma in animals can present itself as depression.

In the story below, I recount the story of Silver, a 14.2hh grey Connemara pony. We were very close to Silver because he had been on loan with us for five years before my daughter left for university.

SILVER’S STORY – A LIFE SAVED

In the summer of 2019, Silver developed a golf ball-sized melanoma in his sheath. He had suffered from melanomas for years—around his throat and underneath his tail—but they had never troubled him like this one. He was in pain, his sheath was badly swollen, and he was battling recurring infections. Strong painkillers and antibiotics were prescribed, but surgery wasn’t an option due to the tumour’s size and location. His future looked uncertain.

The vet gently expressed her concerns: “If he were my horse, I would be preparing to let him go.”

Two weeks later, Silver had lost all joy for life. He wasn’t himself, and understandably, his depressed mood seemed like a response to pain. Being a stoic pony, we feared he was enduring more than he was letting on.

It was agreed that I would visit him, communicate with him, and determine what Silver truly wanted. Was he ready to go, or did he still have some fight left in him? I would also offer him Reiki healing.

When we arrived at the yard, the change in Silver was heart-breaking. He barely acknowledged our presence. This was not the Silver I knew. He seemed completely shut down, and I understood why everyone believed he was suffering.

But as I settled into meditation, allowing my energy to merge with his, I was completely shocked by what he revealed. It wasn’t pain that had made him withdraw—it was fear. He was severely traumatized, knowing that his life hung in the balance. The uncertainty of his fate had caused him to shut down emotionally. He understood he might be put to sleep, but he did not feel ready to go.

Silver was clear: if life became unbearable, he would stop eating. But he wasn’t there yet.

As I relayed this to his human standing outside the stable, tears streamed down her face. She felt immense relief knowing Silver still had the will to fight.

Following this revelation, I placed my hands gently on Silver and let the Reiki flow. For 20 to 30 minutes, I channelled healing energy into him. Then, suddenly, he began to yawn—once, twice, again and again—until he had yawned nearly ten times. Each yawn felt like a gateway to his release, a shedding of the weight he had been carrying. I could feel a powerful shift in his energy. He lifted his head slightly, his eyes more focused, his presence more engaged.

Was it my imagination, or was he taking an interest in us again?

The next day, we received the most incredible news. Silver had spent the entire day cantering joyfully around his field. Our spirited pony was back!

A few days later, his energy was still soaring, so my daughter, Lauren, took him out for a little ride. The change was undeniable. He was full of beans, more like a four-year-old than an 18-year-old! He jogged the entire ride, and Lauren had to work hard to keep him calm and under control.

The fun ride out

Eventually, the melanoma would disappear completely—but that is a story for another time.

Silver never again suffered from fear, trauma, or depression. He remained in a state of joy right up until his passing from colic three years later.

Silver’s story is a testament to the profound impact of energy healing—not just on the body, but on the soul. He found joy again, and it carried him through his final years with love and light.

In future Articles, I will share many other ways where reiki can benefit our animals.

If this has interested you, then you may be interested in my book, “Walking a Soulful Path: A healing journey with animals.” You can find this on amazon. This is the link:-

WALKING A SOULFUL PATH: A healing journey with animals: Amazon.co.uk: Sutton, Fiona: 9798334905573: Books