Little Oak

She gets to choose.
She learns to trust the horse—and herself.
She’s in her body, feeling the warmth and texture of the pony’s coat.
She’s watching how her actions change something in real time as the colors appear.
And she’s playing, not performing.

That word at the end—“Happy”—says everything.
Not excitement, not “fun” in a shallow way, but a calm, grounded joy that comes from feeling safe and connected.

Moments like that stick. They build confidence quietly. ♥️

Our ivory curl trees are flowring producing long, pendulous spikes of fragrant, creamy-white flower
This native tree attracts many birds and bees.

Little Miss Pixie 🧚🧚

Now four months old, and I’ve really leaned into a gentle, hands-off approach—no pressure, minimal handling, always letting her curiosity lead the way.

Because of that, she’s become incredibly calm with everything we’re starting to do together. She’s relaxed with picking up her feet, cleaning them, trimming, brushing, and haltering.

When introducing leading, I use a draw toward my belly button and guide her out with my energy, asking her to yield her hind and turn back toward me so I can draw her in again. It’s been a quiet, thoughtful conversation rather than a demand.

Yesterday, during one of our short practice sessions, she yawned three times.
We keep things around ten minutes—ending when I feel she’s had enough.

It’s slow, intentional, and full of trust.
It’s a journey, not a destination ♥️🐴

Long grasses—especially Rhodes grass—are ideal for horses because they are high in fiber and relatively low in sugar. This paddock has been rested for nine months and carefully managed: it was ploughed, fertilized, and seeded with a mix of Rhodes grass, Blue grass, and other suitable pasture species.

The best grass for horses depends on climate and soil conditions, but in general, high-fiber, low-sugar grasses such as Rhodes Grass, Phalaris,kangaroo grass are excellent choices. These grasses support healthy digestion, maintain good body condition, and reduce the risk of metabolic issues.

The pasture is also mixed with legumes, which improve soil health, increase nitrogen naturally, and provide moderate protein levels to complement the grasses. Care was taken to avoid high-sugar grasses, as these can increase the risk of health problems such as laminitis and insulin resistance.

Before i allowed the horses into the paddock, I ensured the grasses were fully established and had gone to seed, allowing for strong root systems, better regrowth, and a more sustainable grazing environment

2026
The Year of the Horse
This is a year of movement, courage, and growth.
Through equine-assisted learning, insight becomes action
and awareness is practiced in the body, not just understood.
By trusting instinct, staying present, and moving forward with purpose,
confidence grows and meaningful change takes shape.

Pixie had her first trim at 3.5 months and took it all in her stride — calm, present, and unworried.
I asked nothing of her, intentionally practising a hands-off approach and allowing her to simply be.
Now, through her curiosity and soft communication, she’s telling me she’s ready for a little exploration and learning — led by her interest, not expectation.