Wisdom of the Brumby

16/09/2025

This resonates. Horses are so congruent, and that’s why I value and appreciate them so much. They are constantly challenging my EVERYTHING. To build, connect and trust we have to be honest otherwise the relationship doesn’t work.

🐴✨ “I’m Fine.”
Your horse: Are you though? 👀

Here’s the thing. You can rock up to the yard smiling, holding your coffee, pretending life’s totally under control — but your horse already clocked your cortisol before you got your boots on.

Why?

Because horses don’t just read the vibe —
They sniff it.

🔬 Thanks to their superpowered noses and a fancy bit of kit called the vomeronasal organ, horses are wired to detect hormonal changes like stress, adrenaline, and the distinct scent of emotional chaos wafting off you like perfume.

That whole “2000% more sensitive” stat?
It’s a metaphor, not a GCSE maths answer.
But what we can say is:
👉 Horses = Sensory ninjas.
👉 Humans = Emotional squirrels pretending we’re chill.

They don’t care about your “I’m fine” voice.
They respond to what your body’s actually saying — even if you haven’t caught up with it yet.

And they do it without judgement.
No awkward questions. No “have you tried yoga?”
Just honest, grounded presence.

Which is why trauma-informed work with horses isn’t some woo-woo miracle —
It’s literally a biological recalibration with a four-legged truth detector.

They don’t buy your act.
They love you anyway.
And that, my friends, is why they’re the real co-regulators of this emotional rodeo.

🐴💥

28/08/2025

"I caught this little sucker in my basement this morning. At first, I was sure I’d just get rid of him. But when I looked at his tiny, helpless face, something changed. Who was I to decide if he should live or not, just for being in my space... So, I took a long look… then carried him to the park and let him go. We’re all sharing this air today, breathe it in."

29/07/2025

13/07/2025

What lies beyond the "Horse is Our Mirror"

In EAL/EFL, the "horse is our mirror" trope can be limiting, especially for those already self-reflective not to mention the idea is quite self absorbed - that your own self and your world can reflected back at you by these beautiful creatures - this needs to be used with balance and perspective. Although I understand the notion behind this statement , we need to be careful not to over use it.

Remember....

Your body can sense your horse's feelings too , creating a two-way street - as much your emotions are sensed by them , how they are feeling can be taken on by you.

Have you ever thought of transference(of energies) from animal to human ?

Our relationship and interactions with our horses is a connection that involves quieting the mind, feeling your horse, and building the empathy.

It's not just about reflection; By teaching and practicing emotional awareness, we strengthen our ability to understand our horses and ourselves on a deeper level.

🐴💪

11/07/2025

This is beautifully illustrated, and one I’m going to keep sharing!

🧠💥 POLYVAGAL THEORY (aka “Why you snapped at your partner, cried in Tesco, and then needed a nap… all in the same hour.”)

Let’s make it simple. Like, ponies-in-a-field simple. 🐴

Because your nervous system? She’s dramatic. She has moods. And she doesn’t always let your brain know what she’s doing.

So let’s meet the three ponies of Polyvagal Theory:

🖤 Fight-or-Flight Pony – jumpy, twitchy, ready to bolt because someone looked at them funny. Will probably scream if you drop a spoon.
(Yes, this is why you couldn't reply to that text. Or got irrationally angry at the slow WiFi.)

🤍 Safe and Social Pony – this pony is vibing. Makes eye contact. Can handle a chat. Will help you carry your emotional bags AND make you a cuppa.
(This is the version of you that’s brushing your horse, laughing with a mate, and actually responding to emails.)

🤎 Shutdown Pony – she’s DONE. Over it. Can’t even. Has entered energy-saving mode like an old laptop.
(Not lazy. Not rude. Just nervous system: unplugged.)

💡Polyvagal Theory says:
You’re not broken.
You’re not overreacting.
Your body is just trying to protect you — sometimes in ways that feel ridiculous (but make total sense underneath).

09/07/2025

Danielle Davy

09/07/2025

What a weekend…….

Our Brumbies and Being clinic was a soul-stirring, heart-opening experience. Together, we slowed down, breathed deeply, and remembered what it feels like to just be.

In the quiet presence of our wild-born brumbies, we softened. We listened, not just with our ears, but with our whole bodies. We discovered that presence isn’t something to strive for, but something to return to.

There was laughter, stillness, tears, and truth. Threads of connection were woven between people, horses, and land,and something ancient and wise moved gently through it all.

Grateful beyond words to everyone who showed up with open hearts. And to the brumbies, thank you for leading us home to ourselves. 🐎🤍

17/06/2025

🐎✨ Brumbies with Boundaries: A Different Way to Work with Horses ✨🐎

At Wisdom of the Brumby, my approach to Equine-Assisted Learning is intentionally different. This isn't just a place for healing humans, it’s a sanctuary for wild-born brumbies to remain liberated, curious, and free to choose connection on their own terms.

The brumbies in my care are never coerced into sessions. They are given full choice, to come forward or walk away. That simple freedom is powerful. It honours their dignity, their history, and their nature as sentient beings. And what I’ve noticed? They stay curious. They often choose to make contact. The relationships formed in this space are not trained performances, they are authentic, mutual, and built on trust.

But choice doesn’t always mean “yes.”
Sometimes my horses say no. They walk away. They withdraw. And I listen. I reflect. I don’t push for compliance, I check in. Because no should always mean no.

Recently, Penny, one of my quietly wise mares, became withdrawn and guarded, particularly around her left side. Her body was trying to tell us something. I’m deeply grateful to have had Michelle from On The Right Lead Bodywork come out to assess her. We discovered that Penny has tight, uncomfortable muscle tension that needs gentle attention and time to heal.

So now, Penny rests. She is not expected to show up for humans. She is held with quiet observation and deep respect, exactly as she needs.

This is the heart of the work I do.
Where the horse is not a tool for therapy but a partner with agency.
Where healing happens in relationship, not control.
And where every no is just as valuable as every yes.

If this resonates with you, or you’re curious about what this kind of partnership looks like, reach out. You’re always welcome here.

16/06/2025

Please keep
Signing and share. Tine is of essence for those remaining brumbies.

The 2021 Draft Kosciuszko Wild Horse Management Plan proposes to kill thousands of horses through a combination of ground shooting, transporting them to knackeries to slaughter and other cruel methods. Join and call on the NSW Environment Minister to reject the Plan and instead provide....

12/06/2025

To give you a deeper understanding of my sessions, I would like to share a particular example. When emotions feel overwhelming or difficult to articulate, I provide an experiential learning exercise that allows clients to creatively convey and represent their emotions. This is known as a projective piece. This piece was all about anxiety. Disco came in and offered his advice on how this could be supported.

02/03/2025

🌿 Finding Support in Unexpected Places 🌿

Recently, I had the honor of speaking at The M Event – Menopause and Midlife, hosted by Paula Willis from Worth Careers and Transitions. I shared my personal journey of going into early menopause at 38, an experience that came with crippling anxiety, overwhelming brain fog, and a deep sense of uncertainty about what was happening to my body and mind.

What helped me navigate this transition? My first brumby. 🐎

Horses offer a unique space for reflection, grounding, and nervous system regulation. Through my connection with my brumby, I was able to find clarity in the fog, calm in the anxiety, and a renewed sense of self. I realised just how much these incredible animals can support women through the emotional and physiological shifts of menopause.

This is why I’m so excited to be collaborating with Helen Edwards, a women’s health pelvic floor physiotherapist currently completing her PhD in Menopause in the Workplace. Together, we are developing a signature equine therapy workshop designed to help women reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and find empowerment in this stage of life.

If you’ve ever felt lost in the whirlwind of menopause, know that support exists in many forms, including the steady, grounding presence of a horses.

Would you be interested in learning more about our upcoming workshop? Drop a comment below or send me a message. I’d love to hear your thoughts! 💬