Where horses and adorable donkeys lead the way to peace
Who knew the path to self-acceptance would be on a clover-dappled pasture in the Michigan countryside? Or that a sly smooch from a chestnut gelding could be life changing?
At Inner Freedom farm in Buchanan, you’re invited to follow four sleek mustangs and two gentle donkeys on a journey of reflection. Or at least spend a few blissful hours roaming grassy hills, nuzzling some of nature’s most graceful creatures.
Inner Freedom is Elizabeth Carden’s personal refuge, open to anyone in search of the same. She found her way to ‘horse medicine’ after a dear friend died too young. In her grief, Elizabeth felt a pull back to horses, a source of joy as a child.
She traveled West to become certified in guided equine empowerment methods—practices that help quiet the mind and draw attention to what is, by observing and interacting with horses.
Within a herd, horses intuitively set boundaries, communicate their needs, and navigate group dynamics. At the same time, they simply exist—without expectation or judgement, especially of themselves.
Standing among the herd in Inner Freedom’s fields, tuning into your quietest thoughts happens naturally. It’s hard to explain, but easy to feel. Some visitors experience profound revelations. Others are just genuinely happy to be in the sun, thinking about nothing more than scratching a donkey’s fuzzy ears. At Inner Freedom, there’s no right or wrong way to be.
“I want people to feel like they’re coming home to themselves here,” Elizabeth says. “And that there’s nothing to fix.”
Local Tip: Elizabeth collaborates with other practitioners and artists to customize and deepen the herd experience. Build your own journey through à la carte reiki, yoga, mandala making, astrology, and tarot.
words Lena Singer
images Jodi Bodtke
May 2026
