"Saving horses isn't about saving horses, it's about managing people."  ~ Dr Sheila Greenwell

 

"Scars remind us of where we've been. They don't have to dictate where we're going." ('Criminal Minds' TV series)

 

Our herd, as of 2024, consists of 9 horses. 6 wild born (1 agisted), and 3 progeny from those horses. (See photos below.)

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Over the past several years, age, illness and natural attrition have sadly depleted our collective herd. Margaret, Betsy, Lavina, Roxby, McKelvie, Maere...have all left us. Carranya, our current Elder, is 33 yrs of age. We miss the horses that have gone before us dearly, but their spirits live on, here and in our hearts. The lessons they taught us will never fade. 

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4 of our Wadi Farm herd currently work with us in our equine based programs. By mutual consent. Some of them only participate in paddock interactions, some of them also participate in round yard and 'walking out' exercises. 

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From 2019 - 2020 we also welcomed short term agistees Tully the Anglo Arab/Fell Pony, and his three donkey mates; Amour, Astro and Alfie. The donkeys and Tully have moved to a new property with their human now, but were happily involved with life and our visitors here at Wadi Farm for a year. 

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We base our work and play with horses on the ethos of kindness, mutual respect and behaviour recognition. We respect the history of each and every horse. Some have suffered trauma, but we do not dwell on that. Every one of our horses has a different story, a different personality and different gifts to share. You cannot box and classify equine or indeed animal personalities, just as you cannot box and classify individual people. 

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We work with our horses via affirmation, reward, mutual respect, and choice. None of our horses are shod. Several of our horses can be ridden but we ride by mutual consent - bitless bridles and treeless saddles.

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We often liberty walk or bush walk our horses, which they love. Meet Wadi Farm's Equine Educators...aka The Herd...click on the video and then on the individual photos below to learn more about each horse.

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"Some benefits of appropriate and mutually successful interaction with horses:

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• Immediate reduction of anxiety and release from fear and worry
• An experience of positive emotions 
• Greater compassion for ourselves and others
• Improved social interactions and enhanced communication
• Lower heart rate and blood pressure 
• Increase in the release of beta-endorphins
• Improvement in self-esteem, patience and ability to trust
• More confidence and a sense of empowerment
• Greater connection to nature and all life
• Increased abilities to focus and be centered
• An opportunity to play and interact successfully with another species
• A unique, inspirational, creative and hugely enjoyable experience"

 

(Frank Levinson, 2015)

 

If you have already met them and you know them, or even if you don't, if you 'feel' a favourite, click on the love heart on that photo, and send them some love! 

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