I was born with the deep love of horses coursing through my blood. Their souls called to me and I found myself naturally able to communicate with them, at times easier than I found talking with humans.
I have a special affiliation with Arabians, having shared a close bond with the mare Sparkle and foal Twinkle right from my birth well into my adult years. Those two mares (and indeed many others) have shaped who I am today.
I was riding before I could walk and growing up captured every moment possible to be around horses. I spent many school holidays riding Sparkle down the side of the then very busy single lane Camden Valley Way in the western suburbs of Sydney (we used to ride right past El Cabalo Blanco - the dancing horses) while my grandfather rode his pushbike beside me. They have played a pivotal part of my journey in this lifetime and through their presence I have gained some valuable insights and wisdom.
Finding Reiki
Life has certainly thrown a few curveballs my way and through one such experience I came across the gentle healing modality of Reiki. I believe there are no accidents and people (and animals) cross our paths at certain times for certain reasons, some are lifelong partnerships, some are fleeting moments, but all matter. I was introduced to Reiki many years ago through a previous boyfriend - he had his level 2 and I was suffering hideously from endometriosis. He took me to his Reiki Master for a healing session and in that instant I knew I had to learn the modality. It had such a profound impact on my overall well-being and I instantly knew it would become a regular aspect of my life. I have been a level 2 Reiki practitioner for well over a decade now treating horses and humans to this beautiful experience both in person and remotely.
It was through some of these remote sessions that I began to have really clear telepathic interactions with horses. It was as if it were a natural unfolding of my journey, a progression towards even deeper communication with horses.
Sacred Ancient Medicine
Around 6 years ago I heard the primal call of the Sacred Medicine Drum. It felt so deep, so raw as if it were Mother Earth's heartbeat thumping through me. I absolutely HAD to answer the call and so I made my first Sacred Medicine Drum.
At the time I was living and working on an Arabian riding school which gave me the opportunity to share Reiki and Sound healing with not only horses, but children too. My heart was singing with a joy I'd not yet experienced and I knew this was what I wanted to spend my time doing.
This was where I REALLY started to hear my intuition and unfortunately it took me a couple of years and some really tough lessons to learn to LISTEN and ACT every time a message came through.
Learning to Trust
This deep trust in my intuition led me to working with brumbies and volunteering at a brumby sanctuary. Here I was able to put all I had learnt to the test with untouched, untamed, wild horses. To see them open up to a new way of being, even in such a frightened, out of their comfort zone state, was extremely rewarding. I took quite a few horses (not just brumbies!) From completely wild to first touch, first halter, first trim, first float ride and onwards. You can read more about a extra special brumby, Herbie, here.
From here I ran a very successful hoof care business, managing 140 horses on a regular cycle. Not only was I looking after their hooves but at each visit, with each and every horse I had an opportunity to communicate with them. I retrained quite a few horses who went from being terrified of the farrier, to calmly and peacefully accepting my presence.
These once "difficult" horses over time began enjoying their time with me so much that I would be nuzzled, drooled on or snored over while I was working. I like to think that my time spent with every horse is as valuable to them as it is to me and it is my passion to leave every horse (and their human!) feeling better than they did before I walked into their life.
Healing with Horses
My journey into equine therapies has been shaped not only by my deep love for horses but also by the incredible people I've met along the way. One of my dearest friends and greatest influences is Kerrie Hyland of Vibrant Animal Health. Our bond, rooted in our mutual love for horses, has blossomed into a partnership that I treasure deeply. Kerrie’s vast knowledge of equine nutrition, herbal medicine, and naturopathy has enriched my understanding and practices. She is truly a powerhouse in her trade—an endless well of information, and an amazing woman whose passion for horses mirrors my own.
Together, we formed The Graceful Equine, a collaboration focused on bringing innovative, natural solutions to the equine community. From herbal support for issues like laminitis to natural hoof care products, our work is driven by our shared mission to provide holistic, thoughtful care to these incredible animals.
Throughout my journey, I have been fortunate enough to cross paths with incredible individuals who have planted seeds of wisdom, ignited passion, and, in some cases, completely transformed my trajectory. To them, I owe much of my growth, and I am forever grateful.
Yet, as much as I have learned from these wonderful mentors, my greatest teacher has always been, and will always be, the horse. Each horse I meet reflects a new lesson, a new understanding, and a new connection. They are my guiding force, my inspiration, and my true companions on this path.
In every session, with every horse, I am reminded of the profound bond we share. It’s a privilege to walk this path with them, and I am forever grateful for the lessons they teach me. My hope is that each horse and human I work with feels the same sense of peace, connection, and understanding that I do. This deep-rooted connection, along with my passion for helping others, is what led me to create Jess Symons Equine Therapies. Through my website, blogs, and services, I aim to share the wisdom and lessons I’ve learned over the years, with offerings that support both horses and their humans on their journey together.
"The horse is God’s gift to mankind." Arabic proverb.
Jess x
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