Unschooling the Soul: Learning with Horses, Nature & Heart

There’s something about standing barefoot in the grass, the wind moving through the trees, and the gentle exhale of a horse nearby that reminds me: this is what learning can look like. Not confined to four walls. Not driven by bells or rigid schedules. But instead, shaped by curiosity, connection, and presence.

As someone who grew up with horses, I learned some of life’s most important lessons out in the paddock. Lessons in trust. In bravery. In responsibility. In silence. My earliest memories are of brushing down my pony in the golden afternoon light, feeling safe, grounded, and completely myself. Those moments shaped me far more deeply than anything I was taught in a classroom.

And yet, so many children today are rushed, boxed in, and disconnected from their inner wisdom—and from nature. The beauty of home schooling and unschooling is that we get to choose a different path. One where we don’t just teach to the test, but instead open up the world to our children in meaningful, embodied ways.

A Day in the Life… Reimagined

In a conventional classroom, a child might spend the day sitting under artificial lights, answering questions from a workbook, waiting for lunch, counting down the hours. They may feel pressure to conform, to learn in ways that don’t honour their unique rhythm.

Now picture this:

The day begins with a walk through the paddocks. The kids greet the herd, learning to approach quietly, respectfully. They help with grooming, noticing body language cues, building awareness of non-verbal communication. Later, we gather under the gum trees to talk about herd dynamics—how horses interact, lead, follow, and support each other.

There’s space for storytelling. Journalling. Questions. Laughter.

We learn biology by observing hoof structure. Maths through measuring out feed. Emotional regulation by breathing with the horses. We talk about trust, fear, courage, leadership. And most of all, we live the lessons—not just read about them.

This is what inspired me to create the Sacred Hooves and Equine Explorers programs.

Why Horses?

Because horses don’t lie. They don’t judge. They respond to the energy in front of them with raw honesty. And for children—especially those who may be shy, sensitive, or struggling with confidence—being in the presence of a horse can be utterly transformative.

The simple act of haltering a horse, leading them, asking them to follow—it’s not about control. It’s about trust and communication. It shows a child: I can do something brave. I can be soft and still be strong.

There’s a deep psychology here too. Studies show that working with horses builds resilience, self-esteem, empathy and emotional regulation. It teaches young people how to be with themselves, how to hold space for another being, and how to face challenges calmly.

For those children who don’t thrive in traditional academic settings, these lessons are not just valuable—they’re essential.

Reclaiming the Village

Unschooling isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about trusting the learning process that naturally unfolds when curiosity and freedom are present. It’s about offering guidance, not control. Nature, animals, rhythm, seasons—all become part of the curriculum.

In my programs, I’ve watched children who were terrified of horses walk up to a 600kg mare with confidence after a few sessions. I’ve seen friendships blossom over the back of a pony, kids comforting each other after a hard day, and a sense of belonging emerge that’s hard to find in more structured environments.

We gather, we learn, we play. We grow together.

We’re creating a new kind of classroom—one that honours the earth beneath our feet, the animals who guide us, and the spirit of each individual child.

A Personal Mission

This isn’t just work for me. It’s a calling. To create safe, grounded, and heart-led learning environments for children. To show families that there is another way. And to invite the wisdom of horses back into our everyday lives.

If you’ve ever watched your child light up in nature, if you’ve ever sensed that the system doesn’t quite fit your family, or if you just want to gift your child the confidence that only a horse can give—then I invite you to join us.

Whether it's Equine Explorers for our youngest friends, or Sacred Hooves for children ready to dive a little deeper, there’s space here for everyone.

Let’s follow the hoofbeats home.

Jess 🐴🐴