Finding Your Way: How Intermission Inc. and its Horses are Guiding the Path to Healing

In the quiet landscape near Elk River, a unique form of healing and self-discovery is taking place. At Intermission Inc., it’s not about learning to ride a horse; it’s about letting the horses guide you back to yourself. At the heart of this nonprofit is Kari Beth Krieger, the founder and executive director, whose personal journey of healing inspired her to create a sanctuary for others.

Kari Beth’s path to founding Intermission Inc. is deeply personal. As a survivor of childhood trauma and the adoptive mother to a daughter who also experienced trauma, she understood the deep need for a personal support system. Having loved horses her entire life, she discovered the growing field of equine therapy and saw a powerful connection. “Being around horses for me has been like magic,” she shares. “The ability to build relationships with the horses…was healing for me. It makes sense then to me that I can help provide that for other people.”

This realization led her to establish Intermission Inc. in 2017, a place where people can pause from the chaos of life and find their direction. The name itself was inspired by a play, symbolizing that difficult moments are just “the middle of your story,” a temporary intermission before moving forward with intention.

 

What is Equine-Facilitated Coaching?

Intermission Inc. offers what Kari Beth describes as “equine-facilitated coaching.” She emphasizes that the horses are not just tools, but true partners in the process. “They’re the ones that do the magic,” she explains. “I just sort of set the stage and then I let the horses do the work.”

Unlike traditional talk therapy, the sessions are dynamic and intuitive. Kari Beth observes the interactions between the client and the horses, asking questions that help individuals unlock their own understanding of what they need to move forward. This Socratic approach works for all ages, from children struggling with school or making friends to adults navigating life’s challenges. It’s a gentle, powerful way to find your next step.

 

A Truly Individual Approach

What truly sets Intermission Inc. apart is its commitment to individualized care. There are no rigid, one-size-fits-all programs. Instead, each session is tailored to the client’s specific needs at that moment. “When people come here, I find out what you need and I work with the horses to help you find that,” Kari Beth says. Often, the horses themselves guide the session in unexpected but profoundly meaningful directions.

This welcoming spirit extends to everyone who visits. As a queer-owned and queer-friendly space, Intermission Inc. is a safe and accepting environment, particularly for the trans community. Kari Beth believes in creating a space where everyone can simply “come and be,” knowing they are welcomed for exactly who they are.

 

Retreats for the Soul

Beyond individual coaching, Intermission Inc. has recently expanded to offer self-care retreats. These afternoons are a chance to get away from it all, with a menu of restorative activities. Participants can spend time with the horses, engage in team-building exercises, meditate, or journal. There are even opportunities for creative projects, like making vision boards inspired by messages from the horses, to help solidify the experience and carry its lessons home. These retreats are perfect for families, single moms, or even small corporate groups looking for a unique team-building experience.

For Kari Beth Krieger, Intermission Inc. is more than a business; it’s a calling. It’s a culmination of her life experiences and her belief in the profound, healing connection between humans and horses. With the tagline, “Horses teaching resilience to tomorrow’s leaders,” she is creating a space where anyone can learn to take the reins of their own story and move forward with confidence and peace.

InterMission, Inc.

Elk River, MN

Website: www.intermissionhorses.org

Phone: (920) 265-8452

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