by Cassidy Nunn | photo by Nunn Other Photography –
Watching Brooklyn Rae Greig work two horses at liberty – loose in a large sand arena, with no halters or tack on – it’s clear to see the connection she has with horses. They flicker their ears back and forth, watching her every movement and checking in with her and each other, constantly. She allows them the time and freedom to roll and buck and play, and then puts them to work when needed, showing the direction she’s asking them to travel in by stretching her one arm out wide and with her other, guiding them with a long whip/training stick, which is used as an extension of the arm and not to punish or hit the horse, as this would damage the trust between horse and human. This type of horse training, often called liberty work, allows for what Brooklyn calls an “honest conversation” with horses and it’s the foundation of her training program for horses. There’s something very special about seeing a horse totally loose and free to do whatever it pleases, and instead choosing to interact in a positive way with a person, often playing and communicating through body language.
Brooklyn has been involved with horses most of her life and she operates her business, BRG Horsemanship, out of Derrinberg Farm, the Saanichton property her parents have owned since she was 10 years old. The farm is home to six horses at the moment, some that are in for training and rehabilitation and others that are part of the family herd. Brooklyn has split the horses into two small “mini” herds, each consisting of one gelding (male) and two mares (female) horses in order to mimic how horses would be in the wild as much as possible. Nowadays, horses are often kept separated from each other and as much as possible she feels it’s best to let the horses be as natural as possible within our domesticated confines.
In winter, when Brooklyn often takes a break from hosting monthly horsemanship clinics, she strives to add in more liberty work with the horses as much as she can. It gives them a break from under saddle riding work, but can continue and improve their training in other areas. She loves to work with two horses at a time so she can observe their herd dynamics and how the two horses interact with each other. By giving the horses the freedom to express themselves, it allows her to spot the horse who is tense, or lashing out and becoming aggressive, or those dealing with anxiety. She aims to “plug in as a member of the herd,” and guide the horse’s energy, emotion and physical body. It also gives her the time to listen to the horse, to really tune into what he/she is telling her through body language and interactions. This type of training can build a strong relationship between horse and human, which can then go on to benefit to work done under saddle.
“Many would see this place as a ton of work, and it is!” Brooklyn says with a laugh, but it’s also her sanctuary and creative outlet. A busy mom of three kids aged five to 10 years old, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression after the birth of one of her children and it was that period of her life that she says “challenged all of my life’s perspectives. I learned how to ask for help and support, and how to receive it,” Brooklyn says. During this time, she turned to horses to help with her own healing. It led her to offering healing through horsemanship sessions on top of her workload of rehabilitating and training horses, and teaching horsemanship clinics. Brooklyn’s plate is very full but she manages it all with an amazing team. She credits her husband and children, who are all involved with the horses and clinics, her barn staff who help with chores and feeding, a nanny for childcare, and support from grandparents.
For Brooklyn, horses have allowed her to find a sense of alignment and in turn, she helps horses and people find their own way of feeling secure, confident and safe in the world. “Horses give me courage,” she says, “and I see how they give other people courage.”
For more information on BRG Horsemanship and Brooklyn’s upcoming clinics, visit www.brooklynrae.ca/brghorsemanship.
