Zoe Mullens & BBPG Spartan

BBPG Spartan and I have only been together just under 48 hours in the 2024 Brumby Challenge but what an exciting time it has been. He was relaxed yet alert on the journey home and settled quickly into his round yard with a nice big roll and a trot around. His 3 new horse friends, dogs, goats were all very curious, however Spartan was more interested in his food bucket. 

Spartan and I have spent time in each other's company and working on our connection through being present but not necessarily together. I find everyday activity, such has poo cleaning up, smoothing sand, moving signs, and making generalized noise has helped him be aware of his surroundings but remain calm. In under 24 hours, Spartan whilst slightly shut down by such a huge residential change, i can touch him, rub on his ears, and managed to find his itchy spot.

Thrilled to continue in the Brumby Challenge where our next goals move to haltering, leading, desensitization, moving around and relaxation.

An incredibly intelligent Brumby is Spartan as we complete our first full two weeks together. I’m forever surprised how receptive to learning more each day as he settles into his environment. Spartan is quickly integrating himself as part of the family, finding close friends with other horses Billy Ray and Jerry Lee, often seen rolling and running around together and Billy is always close by as a training support partner. He is now well exposed to dogs, cats, and goats.

This fortnight, with the found love of carrots by the bag full, Spartan is comfortable being haltered, standing at the tie up, leaving his round yard to play with obstacles such as tarps, bridges, water boxes and flags. He has taken to the next step of training in his stride, now comfortable sporting his flashy pink bridle with snaffle bit and roller. He has not only ventured out of the round yard and paddocks, but to be brave and begin to self-load onto my trusty float. Spartan has quickly learnt, that being in the float is a nice resting place.

It’s such a good thing to have fellow competitors with special skills but to also live nearby for support and understanding. Maddison Buckner who is doing amazing with VBA Major but also owns Victorian Equine Dental Practice, came to Spartan’s first dental appointment, and did fantastic. I’m so proud of Spartan, but thankful to my village who are supporting our journey and as we grow together, skies the limit for us.

New fears unlocked and this fortnight with Spartan and I. Spartan braver than I, willing and a kind boy who is teaching me more about myself as a horse woman than the skills I’m teaching him. 

Spartan loves being in the float, so out and about we went. We have been to several new places together for little outings, experiencing a wider variety of different livestock, majority bigger and stronger making him looks like a miniature, (he is approximately 13.3hh). 

After braving the cold weather to lay on Spartan bareback, the time was right to graduate from a roller to saddle over a couple of days, then a sudden surge of adrenaline and I was on. He stood perfectly still at the mounting block as he started licking and chewing. The first ride we worked on walk, stop and relaxation with a bridle. Before long, he was on a nice loose long rein, getting used to pressure and release. We are now beginning to work on clear stop, walk, trot, backup signals, which I’ve not felt unsafe at any point. 

His favourite thing is post workout is to have plenty of carrots, a nice warm rug with a good scratch behind his ear, where he stands happily at the tie up for a nice brush. He is enjoying running around the paddock with his two other friends and rolling in the mud. We were aiming to see a farrier for the first time, however, with limited farrier availability, hoping to tick that box next fortnight. Spartan has certainly made a huge positive impact in my family and can’t wait each day to work with him.

I knew this Brumby Challenge was going put my skills to the test, but more so is the emotional rollercoaster this journey I have entered. I have managed self-doubt, fear that I am not good enough and fear of judgement, but even more, I fear that I am not good enough rider for Spartan to succeed. This fortnight Spartan and I have ridden most days under saddle and moving through transitions in the round yard. 

I decided with my support people to venture out and, to lead the Brumby back to his roots in rugged bushland whilst I rode another experienced horse. The next day I rode Spartan on lead in the bush. The third day, off lead and away we went (not alone mind you). I never thought, I would EVER be riding a green brumby, who not long ago was wild in the bush, through the stunning Australian trails we have so close to our doorstep. The calmness and magical world our Australian bushland have to offer, helped me to lift my head, take a deep breath of fresh air (no I didn’t breathe a lot that day), and suddenly all my fear went away. 

Whilst I led Spartan and was on lead at first, thinking there was no way I could take the plunge to go off lead and ride him unaided, despite my experience and knowledge, we did it. It’s a real milestone for me as a trainer with self-doubt and Spartan who did have some moments, wanted to be with me, listened and was calm and happy to do anything but circles. 

Bring on the next two weeks, where we will continue to get out and about, unlock our fears and continue the journey together.

Go with them, not against them! This is my motto this week, as Spartan and I both got brave and now venture into an outdoor/indoor arena with many obstacles and pathways to navigate.

I’ve learnt that I need to get brave and sometimes ride through many fears walk, trot and canter. Spartan this fortnight has really excelled in his stop, walk and turns. We are working toward a strong trot cadence no matter the speed, but we have a way to go with canter, which for this time we have had together, I’m super proud.

He is such a brave boy going through and on obstacles and nothing overly fazes him. We are beginning to play to different saddles on his back, changing my position to find the right fit and he takes everything in his stride. He loves riding around with other horses which I thought may change his behaviour when I ask him different things to his friends, however, he is gaining more and more respect with each ride together. 

Spartan is a kind, gentle and loving soul which loves to be doted on and is in such great condition with the quality CopRice feed and support he gets with regular work. He is happy to being doing things each day and is very comfortable being in anyone’s company. 

For the next few weeks, we are going to continue our journey to get braver together and work on our trust and transitions, where we aim to explore other locations across Victoria to further expose Spartan to the world.

This fortnight hasn’t been ideal for Spartan and I, together with wind speeds like cyclones, heavy rainfall, and getting unfortunately the good old coughs and colds, has been a much quieter time and smaller update. Not to say that Spartan hasn’t enjoyed a little bit of time off, but has actually been a positive for his brain, to sink in everything we have done thus far.

Changing the obstacles in the arena and adapting a few different techniques, I have been working on getting Spartan to relax on his offside, where he does evade more than not, trying to focus on relaxation and acceptance on his non-favoured side. This is going to take some time as I’m really able to find the gaps in our training and where we can close them, it’s just going to take time but enjoying this next phase we have entered. 

Huge positives though, he has really begun to understand transitions more fluently and happy maintain cadence in all paces and on both leads. He is willing to engage on obstacles and even canter through a curtain obstacle, which is simply incredible for Spartan, who was wild not too long ago. Hopefully over the next two weeks we can really continue to hone in on some foundational skills where we can then begin to turn attention and begin preparations toward Equitana. 

A couple of new and fun things for Spartan and over this past fortnight, which demonstrates his resilience. As the owner of Wendy’s horsemanship & Obstacles Ranch, I run open arena days where people can bring their horses and try obstacles in a safe and relaxed environment, working in hand or ridden. Whilst one of the clinics was in full swing with 6 other riders, I decided to expose Spartan to a larger, busier arena. Music playing, children running around and people talking loudly and laughing, horse’s hooves on wood, flags and curtains swinging, horses frequently moving and always in sight. Spartan was a little shocked by this as we firstly walked into the arena, as he hasn’t worked in an arena with others before. Upon mounting, he was hesitant and simply taking it all in, but then he relaxed with a nice lick and chew and off we went. He happily engaged several obstacles, working closely next to other new horses of different sizes and focussing on me. He exceeded my expectations and whilst we were in the saddle for 30mins, I enjoyed every moment as he got better and better. Another positive forward step as we move to Equitana.

As a new and exciting thing for Spartan and I as we did something a little different. We had a professional photoshoot in the Shepherds Hill woodlands property, where an amazing little town exists. Getting Spartan into different areas to find some great shots was a fun experience and he was just perfect, as we had to navigate moving through a stream under saddle for the first time and were able to bond so much more together. He is such a cool Brumby, with plenty of personality.

It’s been an exciting fortnight with Spartan and I, as we set ourselves a huge goal, to attend a small obstacle show in the Green Horse Division. Aiming to assess where we are in our training as we head to Equitana finding out what works and where we need to close gaps in training. We have been working on continuing our transition work and speed between obstacles with control. Flags and dragging obstacles proved fun with several hold breathe moments, however, we have overcome the major hurdles and working well.

Spartan has a natural flight, but on the extreme side with cars and machinery. I found this early on and now happily working under saddle we have increased his exposure so he can find relaxation in himself and his surroundings with the hustle and bustle of farm life. Together, we still have some way to go, but he is happy in the float on the road and isn’t fazed so that’s a huge win. 

As I work on cars and machinery, I’m now increasing other people and horses working around him. The introduction of crowds, busy places and horses is really important so he is ready for Equitana and can show off his best self. I am always mindful though, to ensure he is not becoming overly stimulated and at the breaking point for his wellbeing.

Spartan is a real member of my family and is a much-loved member. I frequently, get asked to his future and whether he will be sold post Brumby Challenge or remain with me. Spartan has taught me so much about myself as a trainer and it’s fantastic for us to do everything together. We have years ahead of us together to continue our education after this challenge and have only plans for us to work together long into the future.

An eventful fortnight for Spartan and I this fortnight and I couldn’t be prouder of our partnership and the support around me. We attended our very first obstacle show, competing in Green Horse division. 10 obstacles to complete in order where a judge scores you on flow, horsemanship, obstacle approach, precision and departure. We did every obstacle to the best of our ability and gained our first ribbon, 3rd place. 

Spartan was exposed to many moving vehicles, horses coming and going, music pumping, new environments and many people coming to meet him. He was beyond relaxed and loved many scratches and treats along the way. I recognised the things we need to work on over the next few weeks with his rushing, overbending and some movement issues which gets him a little frustrated, but everything improves with time and connection. 

Growing in confidence from the show with my hubby Colin by my side, we ventured to the small country township called Woodend. We decided that we would walk down the main street, stop at the famous Holgate Brewery, grab a vanilla slice at Bourkie’s (award winning iconic bakery), visit the local skate park and many other places around the town. We had such fun working through many training opportunities whilst meeting several locals who all wanted to meet this special guy and find out more about the Brumby Challenge and what it’s set to achieve.

The countdown is on to Equitana and cannot wait for everyone to come down and meet and support our journey together and into the future.

Starting this journey, Oliver, my son, asked me to come and demonstrate our learnt skills and relationship in a Harry Potter themed showcase at his school. So, a promise is a promise and this week we went to Woodend Primary School where in front of 100 students and staff, demonstrated some our own developing routine for Equitana. The students were incredibly responsive and supported Spartan and I with Oliver in the act as well as a keen Gryffindor. The use of our wands, the 100 strong vocalists clapped and made noises then ceased and repeat, which was an excellent method of desensitisation for Spartan ahead of noises at Equitana. Spartan eventually allowed all the kids to get up close and love on a Brumby, which I think he ate a couple of bags of carrots by the end, which he was in absolute heaven.

We have otherwise been travelling around the state, stopping at major roads and towns to continue to desensitise his fear of vehicles and ride through, over, under and side pass a variety of obstacles, to which he is getting braver every day.

Spartan has never ceased to amaze me and is becoming a favourite in the local township. Two weeks to go until we get to showcase everything we have done together and catch up with all the other trainers and brumbies.