Suggested Interview Questions:

• How is One With the Herd a "Spiritual Journey?"
  

I have always been on a spiritual journey - always wanted to find my path and, given my own unique talents, what I could do for God. I believe that every spiritual seeker must go through a wilderness experience - much like the 40 days of Christ. When my husband and I moved up to our ranch in 1999, it was an opportunity to leave the chatter of society and spend long quiet hours with animals and nature. OWTH is a book about the adventure and discovery I found through that experience.

• You share your life with these horses…how did that come about
  

When we first moved to our secluded 320 acre ranch, there was nothing but raw grassland, forests and lakes with a perimeter fence. I dove right into the adventure, leaving my career and comforts for a wall tent, while my husband commuted back and forth with his business.
I spent the majority of my days with my dogs, following my herd of horses. We built a barn and attached suite on the property so I live above and beside my herd at present and therefore I am very much a part of their lives.

• What prompted you to write this book?
  

After several years of living with my herd, I had resumed my art career, but everything took second place to the fascination and connection I had with my horses. One day at breakfast, my husband (who has clairvoyant moments) asked me when I was going to write my book. This completely took me by surprise because other than keeping a journal, I had no inclination or inspiration to write. However the next morning, I sat down and began to channel OWTH.

• What kinds of "truths" are revealed in the book?
  

I suppose the biggest truth is that to truly find our hearts desires, we must quiet our busy minds enough to know what they are. Animals, (and particularly large animals like horses) help us do that. When we spend time in nature and in their company and simply allow ourselves to absorb that energy, then we start to resonate with that vibration. We have to forget our individual egoic state in order to open to a higher truth, which is present in all life. Humans have simply lost touch with it.

• You communicate with the horses, how did that come about?
  

The more time I spent "listening" to my herd, the more concepts would spontaneously pop into my mind. There is one level of communication that is the mundane day to day kind - shared through body language, words and thought. The other level, which is where higher truth comes from, is a connection to universal mind, or the "All" as the animals call it - the force and wisdom inherent in all life. Animals are connected on that level by what we call "instinct" - people visit rarely when they trust their "intuition".

• You say that the horses are "spiritual equals," how does that play a role in your relationship with them as pets?
  

I find it hard to refer to animals as "pets" now. They are wise teachers and spiritual equals. They have profound wisdom that we have forgotten, in our busy race to achieve. I don't train, but play, communicate with and love my animals. They don't get lesser, but the very best that they deserve. Why would we "give it to the dog" as we say? Meaning it is not good enough for humans. I treat my animals exactly as I would my family (my family says even better!).

• You mention "lessons," is this an educational book?
  

Absolutely! It will change your beliefs about animals and life.

• One of four… What can readers look forward to in your coming books?
  

I have finished all four books, but I am still not sure what order to bring them out in. As they were written, book two "The Truth according to horses" is a message written by the horses for humans. Book three "Unbridled: What animals teach us about spiritual freedom" is a continuing spiritual discovery, co-authored by dogs, cats and horses, both living and beyond the veil. Book four "Sabbatical: Resting in the power of 'isness' " is a powerful spiritual vision much like Ekhardt Tolle's "The power of now".

• You're also an artist, where might people have seen your work?
  

For many years I supported animal and environmental causes, fundraising for groups such as Ducks Unlimited, World Wildlife, Earth Day International, Canadian Parks & Wilderness and my work was presented to dignitaries to bring awareness to various campaigns involving large protected areas like the Tatsenshini, Northern Rockies etc.

• Does all of your inspiration come from the horses?
  

My inspiration comes from the "All" and the "All" is much easier to access through nature and animals. My horses and animals are essentially contemplatives as all their earthly concerns are met and they spend their days much like monks in a monastery, connecting with and translating their understanding of the "All"

Can you discuss your philanthropic background?

I have always believed in sharing my talents with others who can use my help. I donate my art prints to any charities that ask, from children's charities to medical causes, as well as any environmental or animal groups. I am very empathic and have a hard time dealing with the sensationalism that is on the news today. If I see or hear of a cause, I have to help where I can and I have offered One With the Herd: A Spiritual Journey, as a fundraiser for animal groups throughout the world.

• You say the horses live as they would in the wild and are free to come and go as they wish. How often do they return to the barn and what do you do together?

The horses rotate around the property, which is a mile by half mile, like clockwork, leaving early afternoon and returning the following morning. In summer they like to sleep out and in winter they come back to sleep in the barn. When they return they wander one by one under my window to catch my eye and ask for treats and I wander down to the paddock with apples and carrots to greet them.
After the barn is clean they have breakfast and are then groomed, checked, and played with, depending on who is sleeping or wanting to play.

• I understand the horses have contributed to this book. You communicate with your horses, how did that happen?

Communication seemed to develop in the quiet life I was living. Without radio, newspapers and television, I was removed from the human mass consciousness and allowed to absorb the quiet wisdom of nature and animals. I gradually awakened to the higher level of consciousness within all life.

• What do you talk about with them?

The horses contribute flashes of inspiration that come from that higher level of consciousness with which animals and nature connect freely at all times. Humans, visit occasionally. We contemplate life's biggest questions together and the horses and my other animals, through that connection, give me information through words and pictures. It compares to being given a microchip with all the relevant details.

• What do you think of Monty Roberts or Pat Parelli and the way they train?

I think the whole revolution of natural horsemanship is important and wonderful. It is time for animals to be understood and treated with respect and consideration. Partnership and harmony, language and communication are key words in the message. That said, I think the horses are training us as much or more than we are training them.
I prefer the words communicating, playing and friendship to "training". Horses and humans are discovering a whole new understanding together.

• You breed, raise and train horses. What methods do you use?

I am putting together a DVD called "Friendship and Communication with your Horse". I use as little tack as possible. Never bridles, bits, whips or spurs. Mostly, I invite the horses to play and they do so by choice. Sometimes I will walk out to the paddock and say: "Who wants to play?" and several horses will try to beat each other to the gate. Other times I will just catch one's eye and we will sneak away unnoticed.

• Since you only use halters on your horses, how do you control them?

I don't believe we ever need more than a halter to direct a horse, any horse. What we need to do is establish a relationship on the ground first so there is mutual respect when we are riding. My horses respond to voice commands from when they are very young. Whoa, Walk, Trot etc., and turn at the slightest suggestion. I don't have to pull to stop or kick to go. Everything is body language. Even a horse with the most severe bit can be taught to respond lightly and happily with these methods.

• Would you call yourself a horse whisperer?

I do a little whispering, but a lot of listening and observing. I joke about being a horse worshipper as I am apprenticing in the culture and religion of "Horse" and I also love them absolutely as I do my children.

• You speak of the wisdom of "Horse"; can you tell us a little more about that?

Horse wisdom is as all encompassing as higher consciousness because through them we connect to that place of all wisdom. The horses call God the "All" and when we spend time in their presence, our vibration increases to a frequency that can access that connection.

• What is the biggest gift the horses have given you?

They have shown me the value of truth; personal truth in all endeavor and higher truth that comes from connection to the All.

• Is this something we can only learn from horses?

E-truth (Equine Truth) is the absolute truth from its inception at the thought level to its reverberation in every fiber of the being. That is what horses live by and teach.

• I understand you are an artist as well; how do you find time to paint, write, and train horses?

My painting has taken a backseat to writing and horses at the moment. I usually spend mornings with the horses and paint or write in the afternoon. My painting is speaking more of spirituality and horses - its becoming less detailed and more emotional.

• If people want to learn more about the book, you, and the horses, where can they start?

My website www.lizmittenryan.com is a good place. I have pictures and excerpts from the book. They can e-mail the horses and ask questions. I also allow a few people to visit in our guest house.

Contact Information:
Publisher/Publicist: Revolution Booksellers - Carol
Day: 719-395-8659 Eve: 719-395-2227
Email: Ann@CommunicationCreativity.com

Author: Liz Mitten Ryan
Phone: 250-377-3884
Email: liz@lizmittenryan.com