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