Pictured: Founder Mel McLaren
What if Australia’s wild Brumbies could become part of the solution instead of the problem?
That’s exactly the thinking behind Walk Sublime, an Adelaide Hills wellness experience that’s giving rescued Australian Brumbies and retired racehorses a new purpose as therapeutic walking companions.
Believed to be the first program of its kind in Australia, and possibly the world, Walk Sublime is inviting people with no horse experience to walk alongside a horse through nature, discovering the calming effects of spending time with these gentle animals.
Founded by South Australian entrepreneur Mel McLaren, the program was born from her own journey through grief and recovery, where healing alongside rescue horses inspired a completely new approach to wellness.
Since launching in 2022, more than 500 people aged between 7 and 84 have taken part, travelling from across South Australia, interstate and overseas to experience the unique sessions.
The program has also become an unexpected model for addressing one of Australia’s most contentious conservation issues, the future of wild Brumbies in places like Kosciuszko National Park.
Rather than seeing the horses removed from the wild without a future, Walk Sublime has adopted Australian Heritage Brumbies, training them to become calm walking partners while giving them permanent homes.
Participants are individually matched with one of seven rescued horses, including Brumbies and former racehorses, for guided walks designed to reduce stress, encourage mindfulness and build confidence.
There are three different experiences, Just Be, Heal and Cherish. Just Be is a private two-hour session with one or two guests for $150 per person. Again, for one or two guests, Heal is a private 2.5 hour session for $390 per guest. Cherish is more suitable for two to five guests and goes for three hours, including a forest walk, photo shoot and signature photo collection and ranges in price from $160 to $300 per person.
And as participants support the long-term care of rescued animals, they’re also helping demonstrate that Australia’s wild horses can have meaningful lives beyond the debate surrounding population management.
Unlike traditional equine therapy, there’s no riding involved. Instead, the experience focuses on walking side by side, learning to read a horse’s body language, slowing down, connecting with nature and developing a sense of calm alongside an animal known for its emotional awareness.
Mel says the rescued Brumbies have proven especially well suited to the role. Their naturally calm temperament, smaller stature and hardy nature make them less intimidating for newcomers, especially those feeling nervous around horses.
“I invite you to encounter horses in a truly whole, new way,” she says. “Eye-to-eye with peaceful, sentient beings. As equals.”
Walk Sublime has amassed more than 100 five-star reviews and was recently recognised by Well Traveller as one of Australia’s top three equine wellness experiences.
So if you’re looking to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience a very different kind of therapy, this Adelaide Hills initiative is one to consider.
Walk Sublime
Where: Adelaide Hills
For more information, click here.
