TOUCHING WILD with Bonny Mealand
"The course gave me words for things I'd always felt but had never been able to articulate. It has changed the way I observe and understand horses.
I'd recommend it without hesitation ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"
See Horses Differently
Develop an ethological way of seeing horses.
Go beyond interpreting behaviour in isolation and learn to understand horses through the wider context of their lives, relationships, ecology and evolution.
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Learn to notice more.
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Ask better questions.
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Respond with greater understanding.
"It changed the way I see horses."
"Learning to notice differently."
"Putting more horse back into the horse."
Let me help you help your horse
For over 30 years, I’ve worked alongside horses and other equids in domestic, conservation, zoological and wild contexts. Much of that time is spent in the field, across diverse landscapes, learning how equids live, relate and make sense of their world.
Those insights are brought back into practical, science-informed support for people caring for horses in complex or unfamiliar situations, from domestic owners to zoo keepers, wardens and welfare professionals.
I don’t offer quick fixes or one-size-fits-all answers. Instead, I help you build the clarity
and confidence to make thoughtful,
horse-centred decisions that genuinely
fit your horse and your situation.
Touching Wild Academy is where
decades of field experience, research,
careful observation and practical
application are distilled into a
clear, horse-centred way of learning.
It is also the pathway for those who
wish to progress into more practical,
hands-on work with me, particularly
with wild and unhandled horses.
The Horse in Context
Develop an ethological approach to understanding horses.
Before behaviour can be addressed,
it needs to be understood.
Behaviour rarely exists in isolation. It reflects the complex interplay between a horse's evolution, ecology, relationships, physiology and environment.
The Horse in Context helps you develop an ethological approach to understanding behaviour, so you can move beyond asking what a horse is doing and begin exploring why it makes sense.
Drawing on years spent observing and working alongside diverse equid species in living landscapes, and grounded in behavioural science, you'll learn to notice more, ask better questions and respond with greater confidence and compassion.
You'll learn alongside a community of thoughtful horse owners, equine professionals and students through live sessions, shared discussions and practical Field Lab exercises. Together, we'll build a deeper understanding of the horse's lived experience and develop a framework for keeping that experience at the heart of every decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
This work may not be the right fit if…
You’re looking for quick-fix behaviour solutions, training techniques, or performance-driven outcomes.
Touching Wild Academy centres understanding, relationship and welfare before action.
