Growing Edge Equine*imity

I am a dedicated life-long learner holding an M.Ed. from UNC Chapel Hill. I am proud to be Halie’s mother, co-facilitator, and a lifelong advocate for peaceful parenting and self-directed learning. My background is in early childhood education and family mental health, and I bring over three decades of lived experience to my work. I am passionate about supporting parents and educators as they deepen and grow their relationships with children.

I nurture my inner social scientist with never-ending research into all things early childhood family mental health, developmental trauma, resilience, and physical- and mental- health & wellbeing. 

Nearly 20 years ago, I changed my last name to “Maitri” (meaning “Loving-Kindness”) and “Mudita” (meaning “Universal Joy”) as a pathway forward into living and parenting consciously. My name, as well as the license plate on our pink VW Bug, reminds me daily to “Cre8Joy”! 

Welcome! I'm Michelle Maitri-Mudita, M.Ed.

Garnet: "This is Halie, Garnet’s scribe. Garnet can write, but knows the value of delegating. Meet Garnet, the one who started it all! Garnet has been Halie’s partner for 20 years, inviting connection, joy, and growth in numerous ways. She is the dedicated lead mare of Notta Herd, diligently providing Jack with someone to follow, teaching Chantilly to respect boundaries, and takes her role as mama bear to her four mischievous mini donkeys very seriously, especially when the farrier is here."

Meet Garnet

Jack: "Hullo! I’m Jack, and as my mom Michelle likes to remind me, I’m the-most-handsome-one-here! I’ve been part of the family since 2010, when Michelle and Halie thought Garnet needed a companion after moving onto Notta Farm. I, of course, love it here, and I love following Garnet around and copying her every move. Garnet puts up with me quite well, and Halie even bought me my very own squeak toy named Chantilly! They really are such thoughtful humans. If only Chantilly wasn’t so darn fast, she is beginning to lose her value as someone I can mess with. At least Michelle and I have a solid understanding: I generously let her sit on me, and she lets me keep eating grass. My favorite treats are pink lemonade and Oreo cookies, but I will try just about anything. I especially love to give people kisses when I have molasses on my lips. I know it makes me look extra handsome! "

Meet Jack

Chantilly: "Hi ya, hi ya, hi ya!!! My name is Chantilly Lace! I have a pretty face… and a ponytail! I wiggle when I walk, and I giggle when I talk… oh wait, I think I’ve heard that somewhere before… 
I joined the family in 2021, when I was just a year old. While I have never felt like the other horses truly accept me, I don’t mind because I know I am the absolute prettiest and coolest horse here! I love to run faster than the wind, chase the little donkeys when I’m bored, and sometimes I find Halie interesting, but that depends on my mood. I love exploring new things, but I hate being told what to do. They say I vacillate between my toddler and teenage years, but I think they just like to overanalyze everything. I am here to look pretty, challenge Halie’s energetic communication skills, and amaze all who witness my sensitive, independent, and brilliant spirit!"

Meet Chantilly

Imperious: "Hi! I’m Imperious, and I love big hugs! I came into the family with my friend Citabria (I still miss the dear girl) as Halie’s 12th birthday present. I am one year younger than my human. For almost a decade Halie liked to dress me up in pink and purple glitter and walk me in the local parade every fall. While I liked meeting new people, there comes a point when I get tired of kids jumping on me. Now that I have my new Lady Friend Isabelle, we don’t walk in the parade anymore. Isabelle would not enjoy it, and I am content enjoying my retirement by her side. I still love to meet new people, and if you sit with me I will put my head on your shoulder. Sometimes it is because I love you, and other times my head just feels too heavy to hold up on my own. Either way, I’m sure you will feel a deep inner joy and peace when we are together. I know I do. 

My other responsibility is to be the herd’s official spokes donkey. I remind our humans when they are late with dinner, and I greet people with a hearty “Heee Haaawwww!” when they arrive. Our neighbors two miles up the road can hear me. They even mentioned my incredible voice to my humans once, with great appreciation I’m sure. :o)"

Meet Imperious

Isabelle: "Hi. I’m Isabelle. They tell me I should introduce myself, but I’m not sure why. I’ll mind my own business, you should mind yours. I’m not sure why I’m here, but I like Imperious. I lost my longtime friend back in 2020, and after recuperating at some place called Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue, I was introduced to Imperious here on Notta Farm in 2021. Somehow Yoda and Grogu tagged along, but I guess that’s fine. Imperious is annoyingly optimistic, but he’s cool. I guess. You, you're fine too. As long as you don’t bother me. I’ll even allow you to pet me, because I am generous like that. You may think I am just an old lady, limping around looking depressed. But I warn you, this old gal can drag both you and the farrier across the pasture on just her hind legs if you try to trim my hoof. I once ate Halie's book on quantum physics because she tried to use me as a backrest while I was napping, how rude! Perhaps my personality can best be described as cat-like. I will tolerate your presence, but I will glare at you if you impose on my peace. Unless you have grain, then you show some promise of usefulness. You’re welcome."

Meet Isabelle

Grogu: "Who are you? Can I trust you? Are you going to be nice to me? I like nice people, they scratch my hips for me. It’s so hard to reach my hips myself, and Yoda can only help out so much. But you, you seem cool. As long as you aren’t too loud, or too fast, or too happy, or too scary, or too close to my face, I think you have the potential to be a great friend. I like friends. I want more friends. But friends are hard to make, because people are unpredictable, and that is scary. Sit with me for awhile, and maybe I will trust you to be my friend. Yoda is my friend. Yoda is nice. Yoda stayed with me when life was very scary. I trust Yoda. If Yoda likes you, maybe I can too."

Meet  Yoda & Grogu, the star wars boys!

Yoda: "What, another human who wants to meet us? Okaaaay… check them out, Yoda will. Grogu, stay behind Yoda while Yoda investigate new human. Human looks okay… Human smells okay… Skeptical is Yoda. Yoda will let human pet Yoda. If human doesn’t try to catch Yoda, Yoda will offer for human to pet Yoda’s hips. Kind and patient human will be rewarded with two donkey butts in their face. That is how humans will know they are worthy. Humans will be grateful with their face between two donkey tails. Yoda will determine if human is worthy, and human will feel honored that Yoda and Grogu find them worthy. Human will learn to be calm. To be patient. To find their zen. This is how Yoda will teach human spiritual lesson. Also how Yoda will protect Yoda and Grogu. Yoda and Grogu are brothers of the heart. "