Walking with Horses: Sublime Synchrony in the Forest

In an Australian first, WalkSublime invites you to encounter horses in a whole new way. Eye-to-eye with peaceful, sentient beings... as equals.

Walking with Horses is a unique, personalised experience for 1 or 2 guests max. Horse and human quietly sharing mind and body relaxation on the trail together. Immersed in Kuitpo Forest with one of our dearly loved horses matched to you as your dedicated walking companion, our founder Mel McLaren your private guide and photographer. 

As you slow down and wholly relax, you may become aware you've fallen into synchrony with your horse - or it may happen so naturally you don't even notice. Footsteps to hoofbeats, breathing and heart rates syncing. A comfortable, natural connection growing from mutual trust. 

Everybody's journey is different. Your guide will support you on yours.

Why walk instead of ride?

Mindfulness comes naturally when walking in the company of a horse. An entirely different experience to riding, more... soul nourishing. 

Free from concerns of controlling 'your mount' up there on their back, you become attuned to the individual your horse is and begin noticing the little things. A diamond crease appearing in their upper eye lid; their bottom lip starting to twitch; a swivel backward of one ear.

Once you're able to read your horse's body language - and effectively communicate back to your partner you've noticed these all important little things - you unlock the door for magic to flow. 

This foundation of trust between horse and human is the essence of 'a walksublime'.

The horses & Your guide

Six horses ranging in age from seven to eleven - each either adopted, rescued or rehomed including two ex racehorses and an Australian Brumby - share daily life with Mel on her farm in the picturesque Adelaide Hills. 

Naturally gifted with horses, though born into a city life with limited access to a creature nothing short of sublime in her eyes, Mel nurtured a dream for decades. A deep yearning for the country life with horses; a love of being on the trail together as one. 

Our approach to training - The Sublime Way

The Sublime Way goes back to an inherent way of being with horses, rising above the thinking "You need to control your horse".

For more than five years, Mel has extensively trained and socialised each of her horses with gentle, knowledgable methods based on natural communication within the herd and the species' innate way of being - always wanting to return to their calm state. Think grazing, resting and lots of doing nothing; just 'being'. This is where horses excel. This is their true nature.

Mel's developed a unique approach to training and socialisation - The Sublime Way - combining intuitive talent with her own observations and strong influences from the discipline with horses known as Liberty. Creating a connection with a horse through the meeting of two minds, from which their body willingly flows, the human becomes the horse’s 'safe place’ in the absence of the herd. 

Emotional and physical safety for horse and human is fundamental to this approach and the results are astonishing - six young horses of different breeds and backgrounds, some traumatic, each with an exceptional temperament. Sound in mind; trusting of humans; happy and content living in the present.

The WalkSublime horses live purposeful lives as willing walking partners for humans wanting to feel a very real connection with a majestic being. While the horses are taken out for the occasional private trail ride, they are not offered to the public for riding in any capacity. There are no stables nor an arena at the farm; instead the horses roam large paddocks in their little herd dynamic on eighty blissful acres.

Trail location

You'll explore a quietly tucked away loop trail within a select pocket of the ever peaceful Kuitpo Forest, a short drive from the country town of Meadows in the Adelaide Hills. 


Booking details

This experience is tailored to you and is 2 hours in length. Both the distance and pace are determined by you, with plenty of opportunities for rest stops along the trail to the relaxing rhythm of your horse grazing. 

There are limited places with tickets priced per event - simply choose the ticket type for 1 or 2 guests as applicable. Children 12 years and over with the ability to follow direction are welcome in the company of an adult. No experience around horses is required; the only prerequisite is a sturdy pair of walking boots.

Your ticket includes an exquisite digital photographic collection for you to re-live your magical encounter, transport for the horses, forest permit, insurance, hay for your horse plus hire of gloves.

Enquiries

Contact Mel McLaren, Founder and Guide, for more information: 

(e) mel@walksublime.au

(m) 0423 967 881
 


Unpleasant Weather Policy


We intend for our horses, guests and trail guides to enjoy their time together. Should weather conditions be unpleasantly hot, wet or wild we will contact you via mobile 2-3 hours before your meet time to recommend rescheduling, at our discretion. No refunds are offered although the reschedule is to a day and time that suits you, per availability Wednesdays to Sundays, within a six week period from date of booking.