Week 1
“Banksy” was assigned to me on Induction Day, and I was eager to meet him. Among the group of Barmah Brumbies, all bay with beautiful white markings, he stood out. At the back, I spotted Banksy, standing alert, ears pricked, eyes fixed and unwavering. He never let his guard down, closely observing every movement around him. While some Brumbies cautiously approached trainers, Banksy remained firmly in the back corner, holding his breath and staying still, as if he were ready to signal his herd to run at any given moment. I knew this horse would be a challenge, but in the most rewarding way.
We loaded Banksy into our stock crate at Brumby Junction on Sunday morning around 8:30 am, beginning the long journey back to Sydney, NSW. The trip took nearly 15 hours, with several stops to stretch our legs and allow Banksy to rest. Throughout the long stretches of freeway, passing trucks, motorcycles, and through busy main roads, the wild Barmah Brumby in the back remained quiet. We were impressed by his composure. At 10 pm, we arrived home in Sydney. Banksy unloaded somewhat clumsily in a panic but went straight to his yard and began munching on hay. Comfort in food is one of his most telling stress-relieving behaviours... (“Same”).
This past week has been slow-going, as I’ve allowed him time to acclimate to his new surroundings and routine. During the first few days, he tried to scale the panels to get away from me if I came within 20 meters of his yard. Knowing he would hurt himself if pushed too soon, I spent each morning with a cup of coffee and a book, letting him get used to me. Gradually, I approached him with hay, ensuring he was comfortable with my presence. Most of my training was based on approach and retreat until we had our first breakthrough: he accepted food from my hand for the first time in his life he has taken food directly from a human. This moment was extraordinary, and I am grateful to embark on this adventure with our beautiful Banksy.
Week 3
This past fortnight has presented significant mental and physical challenges for both Banksy and myself. The inclement weather, marked by persistent rain that transformed the ground into a mire, added to our difficulties. Each training session felt like a painstaking effort, with progress seeming minimal and setbacks numerous.
Banksy’s threshold for stress appeared markedly lower this week. Our training sessions would commence with steady progress, only to be interrupted by sudden regressions manifesting as blind panic, during which he would no longer allow me to approach him, this could be triggered by so much as a climate shift to me putting on a beanie instead of a hat, he was so hyper-sensitive to any slight change.
To adapt, I alternated between working in the round pen and the yard. The smaller yard facilitated closer interaction with Banksy, yet I noticed that the restricted space seemed to induce dissociation in him. Limited by his inability to flee, Banksy would often panic and bolt upon coming out of his dissociative state.
Throughout the week, we found ourselves in a challenging position. Although I could gently stroke his shoulder, Banksy was not always present or receptive. My goal was for him to become a willing participant, ensuring that I did not overstep his boundaries or force interactions.
A breakthrough came at the end of the week when I was able to touch Banksy’s shoulder, neck, and poll without triggering panic or trembling. Although he remains uneasy about muzzle contact, I successfully placed a halter on him. This marked a significant milestone, enabling me to attach a lead and work on yielding his hindquarters and drawing him towards me using light pressure. He grasped this quickly, thanks to our extensive liberty work in the round pen. Each time I asked him to yield and step towards me, I would back up to release the pressure, reinforcing his foundational learning for leading.
This week, I've grappled with moments of self-doubt, a common hurdle in the journey of horse training. It's crucial for trainers to maintain self-awareness and empathy towards the horse they are working with. When I noticed Banksy struggling, I began to question whether my methods were effective. Allowing myself some grace, I gave Banksy more time to absorb the lessons, and gradually, progress began to show.
Working with a wild horse like Banksy, untouched by human influence, offers a unique and rewarding experience. As their trainer, you have the extraordinary opportunity to be their first guide, teaching them and helping them navigate their mental and physical challenges. This role is both a privilege and a profound responsibility, one that should never be taken for granted.
Week 5
The past two weeks with Banksy, the spirited brumby, have been nothing short of extraordinary. As we enter Week 4 and 5 of our journey together, I’ve witnessed a remarkable shift in his mentality, where the seeds of trust we planted are finally beginning to bloom.
Every day brings new progress. At the end of Week 4, I decided to give Banksy a few days off. Upon our return, I expected to find him regressed, wary as before. But something was different. I roped him as usual, and to my surprise, he allowed me to touch him with ease. Attaching the lead rope to his halter was seamless, and we began working on leading and responding to pressure.
Feeling encouraged, I moved him to the round pen, a place where he had previously spun and bolted at the slightest attempt of touch. This time, however, he sought my guidance and presence, a significant shift in our dynamic. Intrigued by his newfound willingness, I decided to push our boundaries each day.
We progressed to tie-up practice using a blocker tie ring, allowing him the freedom to pull back if uncomfortable, yet providing enough resistance to encourage moving forward. His understanding of lead rope pressure, thanks to our groundwork, was impressive. He stood tied at the fence with ease, showcasing a comfort level rare in many domesticated horses who often need constant engagement.
With this newfound trust, I began handling him further, brushing him down. Reaching his tail, I spent hours working through a matted dreadlock, uncovering a beautiful, thick, and lush tail beneath the dirt and dead hair.
Week 5 culminated in a milestone, our first walk outside the round pen. We took several laps around the arena paddock before sitting down together, sharing a peaceful moment. As Banksy started to fall asleep beside me, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this shared experience.
These past weeks with Banksy have been transformative. His progress is a testament to patience, trust, and the beauty of the human-animal bond. I look forward to the many more milestones we will achieve together.
Week 7
The past few weeks have brought thrilling progress in Banksy's training journey. This once-wild brumby has shown remarkable openness to learning, surprising everyone with his adaptability and calm demeanour. In Week 6, we tackled his first bath, followed by introducing him to his first rug. Banksy's transformation was so remarkable that many mistook him for one of our domesticated horses. He stood tied with quiet confidence while I conducted lessons and worked with client horses, completely undisturbed by the surrounding activity. This calm demeanour allowed him to observe the daily rhythms of the property, gradually becoming familiar with the presence of different people and routines.
We then moved Banksy from the brumby yard to our larger "stallion yard," typically reserved for colts and stallions in training. This new space, with its added room and a stable for comfort, gave Banksy the opportunity to adjust while still having a place to retreat and relax when needed.
In Week 7, we took our training up a notch with desensitization exercises. We introduced Banksy to a variety of stimuli such as tarps, a roller, a saddle blanket, a stockwhip, an umbrella, and trot poles. He never left my side, facing each new challenge with a determined calm. I’m beginning to see a horse that is not only overcoming his natural instincts but is actively choosing to stay and work through his fears.
The week concluded with Banksy’s first saddling experience. I approached this session with patience, aiming to give him ample time to process everything. I chose a heavy, bulky Western saddle for its noise and weight, knowing that if he could handle this, any other saddle would be easy in comparison. Banksy handled it all flawlessly, completely unfazed by the pressure of both the cinch and rear cinch. This confirmed that our groundwork had been successful, and he was fully prepared for this next step. Following the saddling, I began ponying him off my lead horse, Marley. This allowed me to work above him, yielding his hindquarters and teaching him to move forward Infront of my leg whilst maintaining his composure at both a walk and trot.
This remarkable Barmah Brumby continues to be a profound teacher for everyone on our property, agistors, clients, friends and family members alike. Through Banksy, we’re gaining a deeper appreciation for the resilience and spirit of wild horses, and how different they are from our domesticated companions. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the small things we often take for granted, making this experience truly special as he imparts valuable lessons to all who meet him.