Our Herd
Our horse team at Equine Nature is made up of four equine friends, each with their own personality and place within the herd. Observing and interacting within these herd dynamics can support therapeutic sessions by reflecting patterns in human relationships, helping clients build self-awareness and exploring the ways family and relational connections influence their lives.
“Your horse is a mirror to your soul…”
Buck Brannaman
Marley
Welsh Cob Purebred Mare
12 years old
Bred and born in Canterbury
Although Marley is the clear leader of the herd, she provides a solid, personable, and consistent temperament while working with people of all ages. When in the company of people, Marley especially enjoys being groomed, pampered, and standing still.
Billie
Miniature Mixed breed mare
6 years old
Born on a farm in the Waikato district
Billie can be resourceful, resilient, sensitive, and extremely expressive which are all attributes that can rapidly assist personal reflection in therapeutic terms. Despite being the smallest, she also brings a strong awareness of her environment and serves as the herd’s alert, reliable lookout.
River
Quarter-horse Arab crossbreed gelding 3 years old
Born in Katikati during Cyclone Gabriel
As a young horse, River can be inquisitive, exuberant, and communicative. He is a friendly horse with an open and gentle attitude to meeting people and learning about his world.
Poppy
Station Bred and Standard Bred Cross
6 years old
Born on the wild west coast of Poutu
Although Poppy can present as a stately and powerful horse in her manner, given time and respect, she often connects with people as a wise and present being. She is also a patient teacher for young River and provides genuine kindness which allows him to learn the way of the herd.
Our Herd Care Philosophy
Our herd care is guided by a commitment to natural horse management and informed by training in the internationally recognised Five Domains Model of animal welfare.
As an example, for over 25 years, we have used the natural approach to hoof care with the practice of barefoot trimming. This technique supports healthy hooves, encourages strong, self-supporting hoof growth, and is an alternative to using traditional metal shoes.
Over many years, we have explored a range of horsemanship approaches. Our involvement in the equine-assisted therapy community has deepened our understanding of the importance of attunement with horses. This relational style aligns with equine-therapy methods by respecting horses as horses, balancing empathy with clear communication, and asking people to be accepting, congruent and self-aware.
The combination of these principles and our commitment to our horse’s well-being not only creates a healthy, safe, and balanced herd, but provides greater connectivity and outcomes for our clients.
Herd Dynamics in Therapy
Horses are prey animals and naturally gentle, curious, and sensitive creatures. When they feel uncertain or unsafe, they commonly respond by moving away, becoming still, or pausing to assess the situation. Their favourite activities are simple and grounding: grazing, resting, and being with the herd.
Horses respond in the moment, and their feedback is immediate, honest, non-verbal and free from judgement. For this reason, time spent among the horses can offer gentle yet meaningful insights into how we, as humans, understand ourselves, relate to others, and move through our daily lives.
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