Wild Horsemanship

08/11/2024

Eight weeks ago, a dear friend of over 25 years suffered a tragic riding accident. She was airlifted to the hospital with critical injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, and remains in serious condition. This experience has deeply affected me and made me reconsider my approach to safety.

Today, I purchased my first riding helmet in 15 years. In the past, I only wore a helmet when starting a horse under saddle, often relying on skill, experience, and “good instincts” to keep safe. It’s easy to think helmets interfere with connection, look bulky, or are just “not for me.” But no matter how experienced or careful we are, unpredictable moments happen, and the benefits of wearing a helmet far outweigh any reasons to not.

The helmet I purchased is equipped with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) technology, an impressive innovation designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain during angled impacts. MIPS has been widely used in high-risk sports like cycling, skiing, and motocross for years, offering athletes crucial protection against traumatic brain injuries. In the event of a fall where the head strikes at an angle, MIPS absorbs more rotational force, helping prevent injury by reducing the impact transferred to the brain. This technology is a game-changer for rider safety, and it’s time for MIPS to become a standard feature in all horse riding helmets.

A huge thank you to Karen at Horseland Coffs Harbour for sharing her in-depth knowledge of MIPS and guiding me toward an informed choice. Let’s honor the risks we take by riding with both skill and safety in mind. Stay WILD but be safe .coffsharbour

24/10/2024

Get your orders in for Christmas!!!

23/10/2024

Expressions of Interest – Dr Janet Jones Masterclass, Australia Sept/Oct 2025

I’m excited to announce that Dr Janet Jones, author of 'Horse Brain, Human Brain', will be visiting Australia!

Dr Jones is a neuroscientist and experienced horsewoman who combines her expertise in brain science with horsemanship. She has spent over two decades teaching neuroscience to horse owners and industry professionals. Alongside her academic career, she trained horses and operated a successful training business, working across multiple equestrian disciplines, including hunter-jumper, reining, and western pleasure.

Her acclaimed book, Horse Brain, Human Brain, explores the neuroscience behind horse-human interactions. It explains how understanding the differences and similarities between human and equine brains can improve training, reduce behavioural issues, and build trust. Jones addresses practical topics, such as how horses perceive the world, the impact of vision on training, forethought in horses, and non-edible reward systems. She also discusses how differences in perception can trigger fear responses and offers strategies for cross-species communication that foster trust and reduce anxiety.

If you haven’t read this book yet, add it to your reading list now!

I’d love to gauge interest in hosting a 1-day Masterclass with her in Dorrigo, NSW.

This in-depth seminar will explore:
🔸 Equine vision and its impact on training
🔸 The horse’s ability to plan and think ahead
🔸 Training with non-edible rewards
🔸 How categorical perception can help prevent fear responses
🔸 Cross-species communication and building trust
🔸 Understanding over-attachment, anxiety, and the role of horses in Equine-Assisted Therapy

The session will follow a seminar format, with opportunities for Q&As and discussion throughout.

👥 Who Should Attend?
This masterclass is suitable for a wide range of horse professionals and enthusiasts, including:
• Veterinarians & equine health professionals
• Trainers, coaches, and behaviourists
• Bodyworkers, physiotherapists, and chiropractors
• Rescue organisations & rehabilitation workers
• Farriers, saddle fitters, and equine dentists
• Competitors across all disciplines (dressage, eventing, reining, etc.)
• Equine-assisted therapy practitioners
• Horse breeders and agistment property owners
• Casual riders, recreational horse owners, and horse lovers of all kinds

💰 Estimated Cost: $200–$250 per person (depending on participant numbers)
📍 Location: Dorrigo, NSW

If you’re interested, please comment below or send me a message. Your response will help us determine participant numbers and make this exciting event a reality!

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from one of the world’s leading experts in equine neuroscience!

16/10/2024

Dental Day with .oliver of Equine Veterinary & Dental Services Pty. Ltd. (EVDS) 🦷
As horse owners we understand the importance of regular dental examinations, but WHO you get to do these examinations and any required treatment is equally important. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my horse’s oral health.
Oliver is a specialist in this field and has co-ordinated and hosted equine dentistry training workshops for equine vets from all over the world, authored several scientific papers, contributed many articles to equestrian magazines interested in horse welfare and has lectured on equine dentistry across Australia and internationally.
BONUS- a free willy wash for the geldings and fecal egg counts for all horses.
Thanks Ollie and always appreciate your work 🙌🏼

12/10/2024

Some lovely feedback of my work from another trainer thanks so much 🙏🏼

Bitless riding isn’t for everyone but I find that the majority of horses are very happy hackers in a bitless bridle. It is encouraging to see more and more clubs, associations and peak bodies allowing bitless bridles in all arenas. If you are keen to try bitless, creates beautiful handmade bitless bridles and accessories 🙌🏼

10/10/2024

Now that I am back from the Emerald Isle, it's time to get back into the work I love

Wherever you are in the world or in your horsemanship journey, we have a Course, Clinic, Private Lesson or Camp to suit you & your horse

05/10/2024

🤔🤔🤔 SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Most horses pass from one human to another - some horsemen and women are patient and forgiving, others are rigorous and demanding, others are cruel, others are ignorant.
Horses have to learn how to, at the minimum, walk, trot, canter, gallop, go on trails and maybe jump, to be treated by the vet, all with sense and good manners.Talented Thoroughbreds must learn how to win races, and if they can’t do that, they must learn how to negotiate courses and jump over strange obstacles without touching them, or do complicated dance like movements, or control cattle, or accommodate severely handicapped children and adults in therapy work.

Many horses learn all of these things in the course of a single lifetime. Besides this, they learn to understand and fit into the successive social systems of other horses they meet along the way.

A horse’s life is rather like twenty years in foster care, or in and out of prison, while at the same time changing schools over and over and discovering that not only do the other students already have their own social groups, but that what you learned at the old school hasn’t much application at the new one.
We do not require as much of any other species, including humans.

That horses frequently excel, that they exceed the expectations of their owners and trainers in such circumstances, is as much a testament to their intelligence and adaptability as to their relationship skills or their natural generosity or their inborn nature. That they sometimes manifest the same symptoms as abandoned orphans - distress, strange behaviors, anger, fear - is less surprising than that they usually don’t.
No one expects a child, or even a dog to develop its intellectual capacities living in a box 23 hours a day and then doing controlled exercises the remaining one.
Mammal minds develop through social interaction and stimulation.
A horse that seems “stupid”, “slow”, “stubborn”, etc. might just have not gotten the chance to learn!
Take care of your horses and treasure them.

-Jane Smiley

04/10/2024

✨There hasn’t been a lot of activity on my page for a couple of weeks and you might be wondering where in the wild world have I gone!

I am currently exploring the stunning landscapes of Ireland with my wild sisters Toni and

This has been a dream come true for me.
Growing up, I faked being sick just to stay home from school and watch David Attenborough (sorry Mum, full disclosure), and when he showcased Ireland, it instantly topped my bucket list. With ancestral roots in this beautiful country, I’ve felt a connection to it for as long as I can remember.

A highlight for me has been meeting the amazing Connemara ponies—hardy, beautiful, and known for their gentle nature. We’ve visited some incredible places, including Kylemore Abbey and the Connemara National Stud.
Connemara ponies have made their way to Australia over the years where they are valued for their versatility and temperament. They excel in various disciplines, from show jumping to eventing, and their adaptability makes them great companions for riders of all levels. I’ve admired these ponies for years and can’t wait to hopefully add a couple to my herd soon! 🐴💚
I am so grateful for the horsie connections I have made while travelling in the Emerald Isle.

I will be back in Australia very soon and will be releasing new dates for Wild Roots Clinics and Mountain Trail Clinics. Stay tuned or check out the website for details

10/09/2024

No matter your discipline – hacker or dressage rider, trail rider or eventer, polocrosse competitor or casual clinic participant, your hip flexors are essential for an independent, soft, effortless seat.

As a riding coach, I see the results of tight hip flexors and rotated pelvis all the time. At every clinic and across every day of lessons, I am guaranteed to see hip and pelvic tightness in about 50% of participants.
I sh*t you not my friends!
It’s a pandemic!
And that is why I thought it was important to write about on my blog- read the full article at

We need our hips to be flexible to create a relaxed leg and independent seat. Mindful, connected riding will teach you to maintain a sense of balance, build core strength and improve your ability to feel of the horse underneath you.

25/08/2024

HERE IS THE NEWS!!

The Wild Horsemanship website is now live! 🎉

I’m thrilled to share this space and to connect and grow as a community of horse lovers who value connection through communication, compassion, and curiosity.

A heartfelt thank you to Sophie Love and her incredible team at The Idea Factory for bringing my vision to life💚

The online booking system is still in the works, so for now, please reach out to me directly for any inquiries. I can’t wait to connect with you all!🐴✨

We aim to recapture the magic in your relationship with horses. To reconnect you with wonder. To foster connection based on mutual respect.

22/08/2024

10/08/2024

THIS CLINIC IS NOW FULL!

Next clinic of the same format set for 9th and 10th November. Please flick me a message to express an interest.

2 day Wild Roots Clinic
Creating true connection through communication, compassion, and curiosity—It’s WILD!

This clinic is open to all horse and human partnerships, whether ridden or not. I make it a priority to ensure that everyone who attends receives plenty of personal attention, leaving with the confidence that they’ve truly gotten their money’s worth, therefore, places are very limited.
Please send me a message to book.

02/08/2024

🎉 Well done Pony Club Australia! 🎉

As of the beginning of July 2024, Pony Club Australia (PCA) has modernised its policy on bitless riding, allowing riders of any age to ride bitless at rally days and competitions across all disciplines. 🌟🐴

This long-awaited change has already seen many riders eagerly ditch their bitted bridles to compete bitless in dressage, jumping, and eventing. 🙌

Congratulations to the PCA Board on getting up to speed and making this decision! May this move set an example for pony clubs around the world. 🌍👏

Let's celebrate with a discount code for your own quality, handmade bitless bridle! 🎁 Medinaa an Australian-owned company, makes high-quality bitless bridles for various types of riding. They can even be made in your club colors! We love a little bit of matchy-matchy! 🎨💖 Be sure to use the unique code WILD10 for special offers and discounts!