Earlier this year I was asked to write an article about Finnegan, now a favourite in the Healing Hooves herd, when his Mom, Rills Kelpie bred by Penny Huggons, was awarded the 2020 Foundation Broodmare award by the Canadian Connemara Pony Society. I’m sharing that article here as Finn is such a wonderful example of how a horse can grow into the work of EFW, provided we allow them enough time, support and choice.
People often talk about the versatility of the Connemara pony; how they make great family horses and can excel in a variety of competition rings. Finn (aka Rills Blue Hawk) proves all of that true and more.
I have always loved this breed. My childhood horse was a Connemara TB cross and we currently have Dain’s Derring Do (a now 31-year-old, Connemara TB cross who evented at the intermediate level) and Pickle (a mischievous Connemara Shetland cross) as well-loved members of our herd at Healing Hooves.
Finn stole my heart though the moment I saw him move. At just turned three he was younger than I was supposed to be shopping for and all those whirls on his face (at last count he has seven) meant heightened sensitivity, so we needed to approach his training slowly. But now, over a decade later, I am so incredibly grateful to and for this amazingly talented and sweet pony.
Finn has done a bit of everything during his time with us so far. Pony club, stadium, cross country, he’s even done a little vaulting! He doesn’t love dressage but will try if I ask nicely. He’s also now the reliable pony you can jump on bareback after two weeks off in January and safely go for a trail ride. He loves to jump and has taken both my daughter and I round many clear rounds, over jumps far higher and wider than I ever anticipated jumping! Several years ago, at our regional pony club show, a child’s horse went lame so she borrowed Finn last minute, never having ridden him before. He went right in the ring and gave her a double clear.
Finn has given us a few scares over the years. He reacted to a vaccination four years ago (and then again to both penicillin shots) requiring a week at the veterinary hospital to drain a huge abscess, and several months of healing. Then, last year, he contracted Potomac fever requiring another visit to the veterinary hospital. Both times he was incredibly easy to take care of and recovered fully. He’s always been friendly, and these experiences seemed to just cement those bonds further
A few years ago, Finn decided he needed an even broader job description. We have a herd of nine horses here and most of them are equine therapists, working with me and my team through the Healing Hooves Equine Facilitated Wellness program supporting clients through our counselling, personal growth and professional training programs. But Finn was originally just for me. I figured his heightened sensitivity meant he would do better being a one (or two) person horse, or maybe I just wanted to keep him to myself! But Finn decided I was wrong on both counts. He started to ‘volunteer’ for this work, meeting clients at the gate, following them around the field, and hanging his head over the fence watching if we brought another horse in. So, I decided to let him give it a try, and through this discovered an amazing therapy horse. His sensitivity, now given the time to mature, lends itself well to this work. He often seems drawn to other sensitive souls helping them feel invited, understood, accepted, and safe. In 2019 he participated in a group we ran in partnership with CCASA (Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse) and was a firm favourite.
Most of all though, Finn is a cherished member of our family. When my daughter and I left pony club a few years back we received several inquiries from people hoping Finn may be for sale. He wasn’t, and he never will be. So, thank you Kelpie, and Penny, for this amazing pony, and thank you Ireland for this amazing breed!
My hope in sharing this article is to demonstrate how a horse can truly grow into and choose to participate in this work, provided we are patient and allow them choice. As a three year old, or even a seven year old, Finn would not have been well suited to EFW. His heightened sensitivity meant he was unpredictable at times, and when I was working with him he needed my full attention at all times. We very much needed to take things slowly and allow him time to explore his world, develop trust in relationships, and to feel safe. Now, about to turn 15, we are truly seeing the fruits of having taken our time and allowing Finn all of the space and security he needs. I still will rarely have a client ride him (although I realise that may change one day too!) but on the ground he is showing us daily how much he has to offer in this field.
This also presents a wonderful parallel, inspiration and message of hope for many of our clients who are also highly sensitive and need to be allowed some time, invitation and safety to grow into their gifts and abilities. My journey with Finn serves as a good reminder when I’m supporting my clients on this important journey!
Interesting to see how a horse can grow into being a therapy horse over time.
I love that you were listening and offered Finn this opportunity as he demonstrated interest and engagement! He sounds lively.
I see many similarities between Finn and my own horse. He was very sensitive in his younger years. He just turned 14 and I have seen a big change lately in his demeanor. Maybe he will grow into the role as I work with him.
maybe!
Finn sounds lovely and isn’t it great that he revealed himself and is doing this work now.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story of your journey with Finn. I love that you listened to Finn and allowed him to share his kind and sensitive soul with others. Can’t wait to meet him and the rest of the herd soon.
“My hope in sharing this article is to demonstrate how a horse can truly grow into and choose to participate in this work, provided we are patient and allow them choice”. I just love this sentence you wrote Sue! Patience and choice… so important for many of us, horses and human alike.
thanks Jenn!
It’s beautiful his voice was heard and honored when he voiced his wishes to work with people in a way that would help him flourish.
Love that he “volunteered” for the work and that you gave him the opportunity to do so, you gave him the chance when he stepped up.
I love the fact that the horses are officially equine therapists, and it makes sense, it is really respecting the horses’ part in the process and acknowledging that they are doing the therapy, we are facilitating! It’s really interesting how Finn’s sensitivity means he is in synch with the sensitivity of clients, and that there is choice for all involved. Invitation and acceptance is a powerful combination!
One pony at the pony club where I used to work, Candy, was terrified of being in the lead, and would race off to be at the back of the ride where she felt safe. When she was comfortably in her safe space, at the back of the ride or with a trusted human leader, she would look after the most frightened or insecure rider with the greatest and gentlest care.
I love your note: “Invitation and acceptance is a powerful combination!” So true and so different and experience from any form of coercion, pressure and manipulation.
When we, as humans, feel coerced, manipulated and under pressure, we can never be our best selves, it’s hard to imagine how inhibiting this state must feel for an equine that is so much more sensitive…
so tru Jane, and well said. Plus our horses usually have much less power and ability to speak up in these situations too.
This touches on a big curiosity I have had about my horse, who relates to Finn’s sensitive side. When my horse and I partnered up, EFW was not one of my paths in life. My horse has a unique personality, I’d say. At first thought, I would not think of him being an equine therapist (although surely, he is my therapist–which has taken time for trust). A big part of me wanted, maybe still wants, my horse to be “mine”. However…my horse’s curious side may say differently. Time will tell…Looking forward to meeting Finn.
This is a great thing to be curious about Mikayla! I’ve had this experience with two key horses now – Skye and Finn. I feel a strong bond with all of my horses (I don’t think I could facilitate this work with them if I didn’t) but there was always something different about my connection with both of these two. Both were there for me emotionally at various times and with both of them I initially thought I wouldn’t want to share them with anyone else. Yet both wanted to do this work – and what I discovered was that listening to them and allowing them to connect with and support other people not only didn’t detract from what I had/ have with them but actually made it deeper. I have actually learned new things about each of them through others’ eyes too – gifts which I never would have received if I’d prevented them from engaging with clients.
When we come to the attachment model we explore during foundations maybe ask me about this again as I believe we can view this situation through that lens too.
Aw, thanks for sharing Sue. Pulling on the heartstrings! And very excited to look at this through an attachment lens…having some thoughts are you opened that path of thinking. Thank you.
This is such a good reminder, Sue. We’re using all of horses now for our programs, but for years I observed a couple of them as I wondered if they were suited for therapy purposes .. or if they ever would be. With clients we only observed these two from a distance and would discussed their behaviours and characters, for parallel conversation. It’s been wonderful to see these two mature and see their interests change, just as it is with children. Another reminder for me as you said, “allowing Finn all of the space and security he needs”. One of these two, Mystery was very aloof (lovely to ride and she loved her arena work and the trails, but not necessarily, people) and now she is a gem in her late 20’s. Another was just too silly and unpredictable and as of last year (finally at 18 yr) she is a rock star.
I like that you noted how these horses, even when hands on work with clients wasn’t the best option for them, could still be included in herd observation exercise – such a valid point!
Love the joy in this article of getting to know a horse really well over the years, and how their personalities and skills develop, and how they can surprise us! Really enjoyed how Finn wanted to take part in therapy sessions – he sounds wonderful and clearly helps many people as well as his owner – love that you still have boundaries for him and look after his well being at all times too, what a great partnership!
A beautiful article of hope and how we can support our horses and our clients with patience and space. I have heard of whirls before and how the placement and numbers can be indicative of temperament. Finn has 7, that is a lot! I’m curious to learn more of your perspective about them.
we can for sure explore it more when you meet him if you’d like! I’m far from an expert on whirls but have heard from many places that they are linked to heightened sensitivity and it certainly seems to fit for Finn! We also have some material in Focus training on heightened sensitivity so will explore this within that context too when we get there. If you want a preview there are some great resources here; hsperson.com
This is a lovely article. A good example of how things change and grow and that animals surprise us.
I am hopeful that my mature mare, Idaho, will want to participate in my program when its time. Finnegan gives me hope.
I hope so too Michelle!
I, too, am curious about the whirls. My boy was very sensitive and needed a very gentle hand. I can relate to not wanting to share the connection of a special animal. I have felt this, and did share. It seems that when the connection is shared, it multiplies. Thank you for sharing.
Wise words here Rhonda – “when the connection is shared, it multiplies.”
This is a really great article! I really appreciate how horses also need time find there purpose, whether the horse enjoys competing in different events, trail riding, loves being around youth, therapy, and so much more, horses need to time to grow and explore like we do. One of the horses at the ranch is a young horse that has so much potential in so many things. I can’t wait to see what this little horse grows to become most passionate about!
I love that your curiosity with the young horse is about what he grows to become passionate about rather than what people decide he should do!
This is such a great story. I hear it many times over, I love the saying diamond in the rough. Everyone sees something different….I love how Finn helped you see that he could move into another role and that he wanted to. Wonderful that you took the time to listen to him and provide him with that opportunity to share and develop his amazing gifts. So important to see value.
I have a sweet little Haflinger gelding whose resume is diverse. He came to us 14 years ago and has become a much loved family member who participated in 8 years of a very busy and diverse 4H club. He and his girl went on some wild adventures, he was always keen for anything. Parades, drill ride, trail, horse show, gymkannas, quiet time together…you name it. Brave and bold…
He is 27 now and In later years he has needed extra support in his human leader and has some physical limitations….but he is still curious about people, he has a gentle demeanour and quietly stands or moves softly in connection. He now works alongside me providing space for people in all kinds of experiences. He is a brilliant partner and brings so much value to any experience. He is also supporting the mentorship and development of another sweet little mare as she moves into this work.
Thanks for opening this discussion Sue, as I get older I find myself moving into a place of looking for value in the quiet spaces in between and always finding it.
Your gelding sounds amazing Joie – and I’m so glad that he has you and your family there to embrace his gifts and needs at every stage of his life. And I just love how you express this: “looking for value in the quiet spaces in between and always finding it.” So powerful
A lovely reminder that we can have all of the plans for a horse in the world, but they will be the one to tell us what they need. We just need to listen.
I agree Jen – listening is definitely something we all need to do much more of!
This article beautifully demonstrates the importance of space and time. We all grow at different rates and time frames. This story allows one to see how everyone and everything has their space and it comes in it’s own time.
A beautiful example how animals change and grow just as most humans do. How layered, complex and vibrant they are!
Thanks you Yolanda, so well expressed!
So cute that he volunteered to do the work, and you noticed it. Imagine if you had brushed it off or not noticed. An “opportunity” that could have been missed.
I can recall a time when adults said I was sensitive as a child. It was also likely said I was unpredictable (I had lots of energy). I get curious about what it would have been like if those words hadn’t been spoken? I wonder how my life may have been shaped differently? I was invited to play by a very young horse in Ontario a while back. Unfortunately the owners said no as they felt the “risks” were high that I may get hurt. This statement is very fair as they know their animals best. I feel that horse had something to teach me. I still wonder what it was that brought us together. Maybe it was his sensitivity or perhaps his unpredictable ways.. Life’s journey has so much yummy information to show us.
We look at heightened sensitivity during focus training and I think you would find this material really interesting
I recommend this website: Hsperson.com
Also the book ‘The highly sensitive person’
I think you’ll discover you are in good company in this training and field!
It’s amazing how Fin expressed how he was ready for a different line of work, or perhaps he saw it as a different adventure, who knows, great minds think alike, and he’s so lucky that he could go down this path with you, right place and right time. There is definitely something about his look in these pictures, he looks so sincere.
Fin is a lucky boy to have you! I was blessed with a sensitive thoroughbred mare who chose me almost 10 years ago now. Her path in life started out a bit rocky, but over the past 10 years she has done so many things I wouldn’t have thought would be possible for her. Reading Fin’s story makes me even more hopeful that one day she will choose to help me much like Fin has decided to help you.
I love how he self selected into this work! That’s really amazing.
Love this story and it shows that things are ever-shifting and the importance of attunement in hearing his ask!
Heightened sensitivity and increased attunement? Fin sounds like a special horse. I love how you gave him time and experiences so he could chose if he wanted to be more interactive with people. With his ‘greeting’ at the gate and curiosity, he showed you he was ready to help people heal. Lovely.
I loved reading about Finn’s journey, that he knew when he was ready to support clients, demonstrated his interest through his actions, and that you understood what he was communicating and invited him into the EFW work so that he could pursue his new calling! I had the privilege of riding Finn last time I was in Alberta, and as a novice adult rider I appreciated his patience and attunement, helping me feel at ease on my new adventure! I have noticed in my experience of working with horses and clients in EFW that even seasoned horses have days when they are not interested in participating in EFW sessions, and days when they are the first to the door to greet a client – and that the most important cue will be our presence and awareness to what it is they are communicating with their signs and actions.