THE ART & SCIENCE 
OF OBSERVATION

 FOUNDATIONAL COURSE

Learn the Blueprint of 'Who Horses Are'

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We’re here for the horses 🤎🐴🤎

Over the past three years I've focussed my time into building something truly special - a series of courses designed to help people better understand equines. This has been a lifetime of work coming together, backed by decades of hands-on experience, deep research, and a passion for equines that runs through everything I do.

I’ve dedicated myself to learning how to make this knowledge not only accessible but engaging, ensuring that the information has relevance and can be practically applied to real-world situations. This course is more than just content; it’s a depository of valuable insights and information to support you as you support your horse, as well as giving you glimpses into the wild lives of free-living equines all over the world.

Observation as a Path to Understanding

Course Content Overview:

This six-month journey is designed to provide you with fresh perspectives that will help you build a deeper and more meaningful understanding of who horses are and what matters to them. Each month, we will delve into a different topic, ensuring a thorough exploration of the essential concepts that shape our connections.

MONTH 1 - Key Concepts: Science

We’ll start by establishing a strong foundation in the scientific principles that underpin our understanding of equines, emphasising the importance of clear seeing.

MONTH 2 - Key Concepts: Art

In this module, we’ll explore the more creative nuances of observing horses, focusing on techniques that enhance your awareness and ability to interpret their behaviour accurately.

MONTH 3 - The Equine Blueprint

Here, we’ll discuss the innate characteristics of horses, helping you to understand the fundamental aspects that shape their behaviour and interactions.

MONTH 4 - Observational Practices

We’ll dive into practical observational methods, teaching you how to apply what you've learned in real-world situations for more effective engagement with horses.

MONTH 5 - Ethograms and Other Methods

This month will focus on creating ethograms and utilising various other techniques for documenting and analysing horse behaviour systematically.

MONTH 6 - Fieldwork

Finally, we’ll apply everything we've learned in real-life scenarios to gain deeper insights into what matters to horses. For those unable to observe horses in person, video resources of free-living equines are available in the video library.

By the end of this course, you'll be equipped with practical skills and knowledge to foster deeper connections with horses through enhanced observation and understanding.

Equine-centred Perspective

What Makes This Course Different?

The Art and Science of Observation offers a unique approach by focusing on understanding the world through the eyes of a horse. Instead of traditional training methods that centre on human expectations, this course encourages you to step into the horse’s world. By combining hands-on experience with the latest research, it shows you how to recognise their natural behaviours and needs.

This fresh perspective will help you build a deeper and more meaningful understanding of who horses are and what matters to them, empowering you to help them.

•  Digestible: 

Breaking down complex ideas into easy-to-understand concepts for everyone, whether you have horses in your life now or are just fascinated and enchanted by them.

•  Practical: 

You’ll gain tools and methods that are easy to apply in your daily interactions with equines.

•  Comprehensive: 

Blending the latest scientific research with real-world experience, the course also focuses on practical real-life applications.

Exclusive Resources and Insights

What You’ll Learn:

The Art and Science of Observation is the perfect starting point for those who want to build their skills and confidence. Here’s what you can expect to gain:

•  Observation Skills: 

Learn how to see your horse’s world from their perspective. Understand their body language, emotions, and needs in ways you never have before.

•  Improved Horse-Human Connections: 

However you spend your time with horses, knowing how to observe them well will enhance every interaction, creating a deeper understanding and more fulfilling relationship.

•  Tailored Insights: 

This course offers you personalised advice based on your unique situation. You’ll gain lots of ideas about how to apply what you’ve learned to help your horse feel safer, happier, and more understood.

Inclusive Learning Experience 

Who Is This Course For?

Whether you're:

•  An Equine Novice: 

Learn foundational observation techniques that will set you up for success in understanding horses.

•  An Experienced Advocate:

Refine your skills and take your knowledge to the next level with meaningful insights and approaches.

•  A Horse Lover Without Horses:

Even if you don’t currently have horses in your life, this course offers fascinating, useful insights to prepare you for the future or satisfy your curiosity.

Practice Meets Science 

What’s Inside the Course?

Full Course Access: 

Comprehensive resource library and course materials, workbooks and printable resources.

Monthly Webinars: 

Live sessions, interactive Q&A, and in-depth discussions on all things equine.

Exclusive Community: 

Connect with a supportive network of equine enthusiasts from all over the world who share your passion and curiosity.

This course is designed to bridge theory and practice, ensuring that what you learn is immediately relevant and beneficial to the real-world challenges you might face with your horses.

Why Join Now?

At the start of the year, I ran my beta, 'Through The Eyes Of A Horse' course, and the pioneering participants who joined me have become the backbone of this community; the insights and experiences from this wonderful group have significantly shaped the evolution of this new course, and you'll have the opportunity to meet them when you join!

The Art & Science of Observation is the first course in a groundbreaking series that will unfold over the next five years, centred around the concept of an Equine Blueprint - a framework to help us truly understand the essence of equines. Each course will build on this template, blending evidence-based insights and information from a diverse group of experts with my extensive experience, providing a holistic perspective.

By joining this course you’re embarking on a journey toward deeper knowledge and skills while becoming part of a vibrant community that will shape the future of equine education. Each course will be regularly updated and designed to build upon the last, providing you with a strong foundation to understand horses from their perspective.

I'm now opening the doors for founding members who’ll enjoy exclusive access to new resources and learning opportunities as the program evolves. Don’t miss the chance to grow with this innovative curriculum. Join Now and be part of this exciting journey!

Join us today and become part of a community committed to improving the lives of horses, one observation at a time.

And that's just the course, now let me tell you about the community!

Join a friendly and vibrant community dedicated to making the world a better place for all equines

The Wild Hearts Community

I’ve chosen the name Touching the Wild Heart of Horses for my platform to honour the horses themselves because - once I learnt to observe well- the most valuable insights I have ever gained have come from them. The free-living and wild ones - those with minimal human interference - have revealed who horses truly are. Scratch the surface of any domestic horse, and you’ll uncover their wild essence beneath, a reflection of their innate nature, the blueprint of who they are.

To touch their wild hearts is to honour and respect this nature with compassion and understanding. I invite you to be part of this community of equine enthusiasts, where our shared mission is to support and uplift one another as we shape the lives of these wonderful animals. As grassroots decision-makers, we can collectively make a difference for horses, weaving together the threads of knowledge and experience to create a world where equines are cherished and thrive in environments that align with their innate needs.

What you can expect in the Wild Hearts Community:

❤️ Connection: 

A kind and supportive network where you can share ideas and inspiration with others committed to deepening their understanding of equines.  

📖 Education:

Access to high-quality, validated materials blending practical experience with meaningful science for comprehensive, applicable information.  

📚 Resources:

A well-researched library of books, articles, and scientific studies designed to inspire and address the real issues faced in equine care.  

💫 Inspiration:

Opportunities to showcase your stories and case studies, highlighting authentic ways forward and how you’re implementing what you’ve learned.  

Keeping Horses at the Heart 🤎🐴🤎

Join us to explore in-depth research, expert insights and practical solutions, and make meaningful connections with fellow learners all around the world!

We’re here for the horses. The Touching Wild community is committed to understanding horses from the equine perspective. We believe in a kinder, gentler approach, innovating and showcasing species-appropriate care and training that is rooted in meaningful research and extensive practical experience. – Bonny 

Testimonials 

The best horse course I’ve ever taken - the principles that run through everything you do are so in line with how I aspire to be with horses, and the way you teach is really engaging for me too. Poppy

I would say to anyone with an interest in horses that this must be the best way to expand your knowledge and understanding of horses. I would encourage anyone to join, your horse will benefit from what you learn.  So do it for your horse! Jean 

Why Touching Wild?

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(I am incredibly grateful to the wonderful Lizzie MacKenzie for filming, editing and development work for my online course and promotional material. Lizzie is a talented and intuitive filmmaker whose work really captures the essence of horses, I highly recommend you get in touch with her if you have a project that needs a gentle and capable touch! She can be reached via her website www.ofthewild.me, email: [email protected], or on Instagram @ofthewiild.)

Touching Wild Vision Statement:

I envision a world where all equines are recognised and valued for their own innate worth. Where they are allowed freedom of expression and where the people caring for them act from a place of integrity, consideration and balance.

Our joyful and respectful relationships are built on the solid foundation of kindness and the recognition of our interconnectedness.

Stay In touch

Touching Wild is always busy with all sorts of exciting ventures. Would you like to keep up to date with all that is going on? You will be first to hear about courses, events, and everything else that's going on, hear about new offers and keep up to date with Bonny’s work through her blog and articles, click the image below.

This is my way of sharing the valuable insights and information that I’ve gathered over the years as an equine professional with extensive field experience (literally!), and during my current Equine Science MSc studies.

I'll provide you with tangible ways of meeting your horse where they are.  We will help them feel safe so that both your lives and theirs are enriched and and you can build the relationship you’ve dreamed of with your horse. 

The course and community helps provide a shift in perspective. You will begin to see and appreciate the blueprint of who horses are, empowering you to make your interactions more meaningful and effective.
– Bonny