Whisky Meade Farm

25/08/2024

EAGALA Certification training is coming back to NZ in Jan 2025. Make the most of having this on our doorstep (I had to go to Auzzie to do my training!). Anyone wanting more information, please just send me a message - I'm happy to answer any questions.
https://my.eagala.org/event/275496

18/08/2024

Just want to give a little shoutout to our amazing friend Mia, who has illustrated a book! all you DnD fans, check it out, and get yourself a copy https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=514336947661845&rdid=Ah8H5xNSg9OlD7ri

28/07/2024

There’s a pretty huge scandal unfolding in the equestrian community at the moment. It’s raising a lot of issues for people around how we treat our horses. It’s making people question whether the human desires & expectations we place on our horses are fair.

For a lot of people, equestrian sport is the only context in which they ever see horses. But for many years, there has been a groundswell of people questioning whether this was the only way. People who love horses so much that the thought of being without them physically hurts, but who have no desire to show, compete, or in some cases, even to ride. Those people exist. But there is often no clear pathway for them.

Thankfully, this is changing. Horse work based on connection, kindness, attunement & relationship is possible. We can be benevolent guardians for our horses & choose to be with them & care for them regardless of what we get in return. We can respect them as sentient beings with their own thoughts, feelings, wants & needs - just like us. Just as important as us. We can learn to be safe around them & they can learn to be safe around us. Together.

A different way is possible. It just requires us to find those places that allow us to connect with horses while staying true to our values. Places that honour those beautiful, different things about us that make us unique. It starts with giving ourselves permission to be authentic. To trust that when our instincts tell us to be more gentle & compassionate, they are right. We don’t have to listen to the pressures of world when they tell us we have to be harder or harsher to be successful. We can show what it looks like to be successful through softness & grace. We can redefine what success looks like.

That’s what we hope people can take away from these most recent events…that there IS a different way. Change is possible. And the most powerful change comes from us 🌈🦄💖

09/05/2024

Hope your week has had these vibes!!!

16/04/2024

Miss Snowy finding her light! A lovely evening to have a play with my buddy. Snowy has been on a break from any training for quite some time as we worked out how to help her asthma problems. She is feeling a bit better, and was happy to be included in todays play with Vince Meineke

10/04/2024

If anyone has been negatively impacted by the recent changes to disability funding, please provide your feedback 🙏🏾

In order to capture the impact of changes to purchasing for carer support and Individualised funding accurately, we are asking the community to share specific examples of their requests for reimbursement or quotes provided being declined. Please provide as much detail as possible. Your anonymity wil...

19/03/2024

Just a quick note to my lovely Whisky Meade Clients. With all the stress and worry with this week's disability funding changes. Should any of the changes affect your ability to include horse time in your families life, please let me know. I will do anything I can to make sure clients are able to continue to come and keep participating in what they love. Both Hasanka and I are dismayed at this blow to peoples autonomy and self determination. Sending lots of love to you all as you face these challenges and uncertainty.

16/03/2024

These days, most of our ponies prefer to work with us at liberty, meaning they have a choice as to whether or not to participate in the activity.

Of course we can try to "sweeten the deal" by making our energy interesting & exciting, or working with clicker training. But ultimately, the horses can walk away if they need a break or a snack or some water - which they often do!

The neat thing about working at liberty is when you find that sweet spot & you're working in connection with your pony, everything syncs up - even your footsteps!

It's a pretty cool feeling 🥰🐎🌈

24/02/2024

If ever there was a photo that captured the Whisky Meade vibe… 🦄🌈💛

27/07/2023

Like Bear, we hope you are finding a few moments to bask in the rare sunshine today!

10/06/2023

When you’re too sleepy to even get turned out… 😴

04/04/2023

its a great training day when your pony Is so proud of herself she keeps practicing just for fun! This was after about 5 mins of following a target and receiving food rewards on the float and ramps, when she entered voluntarily (she did not have a lead rope on). Snowy has not been on or near the float in probably a year, and I cant actually recall if she has ever been the whole way in. Very proud of my big Snowball!

14/03/2023

I realised I have an accidental habit of only posting sad things on this forum, so today it is happy things! this video might look pretty simple, but it is an amazing milestone for me, and for Wren. Wrens first ride using his bit-less bridle, and using my aids to communicate with him. He is calm and happy, and I am calm and happy. I have always wanted to 'start' my own horse, and having bred and cared for wren since the day he was born, I want the process to be kind, fair and fun for him always. I feel truly under way with it now. A massive thanks to my awesome friend Vince Meineke for being my right hand man all along the process, and Bex Tasker from Positively Together for being a key part of my positive reinforcement learning. And a massive shout out to all the amazing WM students who have helped Wren grow into the fabulous horse he is today.

21/02/2023

In remembrance of our amazing vet, and wonderful man, Dave van Zwanenburg. He offered his skill, compassion and support on so many occasions here with me at the farm. We shared exciting moments with the creation and arrival of new foals, many hilarious moments, and also some of the saddest farewells of my life as my four legged friends have been laid to rest over the years. It was a pleasure to know you Dave. Sending so much love to his family and friends.

14/09/2022

It is with the deepest sadness that I share the passing of our beloved Angus. He was special to so many people. I feel so grateful to have had him as my constant companion for so many years, and it was a blessing to see the care and love he had to share with all who needed him. Feel free to share your happy memories of him here. He is buried down by the pond, so he can still watch over all who visit.

07/06/2022

This video is a bit longer. This is the course for this months international horse agility club starter level. Here is Rebecca and Addie practicing their liberty! Haven’t they done a nice job today in the rain! Such a fun way to hang out with our equine friends.

07/06/2022

Bonnie, the words biggest scaredy cat, doing the best job of the flag station! This is part of this months obstacle course. Rebecca Wootten has done such a great job helping Bonnie with her confidence.

14/05/2022

Hope your weekend is going as well as this! The big kids having a mini vacation into the long grass.

07/05/2022

When you’re taking a toddler anywhere…be prepared to stop for snaccs 🥰

11/02/2022

When your student lovingly bathes the white pony for half an hour…….

13/12/2021

Check out this great organisation providing resources for neurodiverse NZ families https://www.facebook.com/SuperpowerCharity

Our mission is: Supporting families with a neurodiverse member to ride the road to discovering their

08/11/2021

Hope you are enjoying a bit of sunshine today, like our friend Wren 🙂

01/10/2021

These are really cool & informative infographics. Not everyone’s brains are wired the same & that’s ok! 💖🌈🌟

Series 1: Some Children - educational graphics.
*Disclaimer: I am not a professional or expert, I am interpreting behaviour based on my own lived experience and thus it won't be correct for all.

12/09/2021

We’re really missing all our lovely students & the awesome, fun-loving energy they usually bring to the farm. Fingers crossed it won’t be too much longer before lessons can start up again 🤞

Maria & Hasanka caught up over zoom with a couple of our Saturday crew over the weekend & discussed some very important unicorn facts that they had researched over lockdown. Did you know unicorns are the national animal of Scotland?!? 😃 And check out this fantastic original artwork celebrating our most favourite magical equine friends ✨🌈🦄✨

What’s everyone else been up to? We’d love to see your photos & updates! 💖

07/09/2021

30/08/2021

30/08/2021

it is a very wet day here at the farm, with lots of flooding, but I wanted to reassure everyone that the ponies are safe and well after last nights storm.

14/08/2021

😴 SLEEPY SATURDAY PONIES 🐴

Horses are flight animals right? Their lives depend on being able to run away from a potential threat. They’re a “run first, ask questions later” kinda creature.

So what makes a horse feel ok about falling asleep in our company?

🌀 Trust
🌀 Connection
🌀 Safety

When horses feel safe in your company, they trust you enough to completely relax, knowing you will look out for them if something bad happens. It’s an absolute honour to be able to teach students how to earn this very special privilege 💖

13/06/2021

Came across this great video with some examples of when a horse says 'no' and 'yes'! to know when a horse is trying to give us information (particularly when they are trying very hard to communicate "no thanks"), is an important part of keeping ourselves (and them) safe, and ultimately having fun and learning together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR3NwtQs7kM

Listening to your horse means being able to read what he's saying through his body language. Horses express fear, joy, confidence, anxiety, confusion and fru...