“I thought I was saving them — but it was them who saved me.”
Amongst the beauty of the Adelaide Hills, a truly special experience awaits those seeking connection, mindfulness and a deeper understanding of themselves.
Created by Mel McLaren (a divine soul in her own right), Walk Sublime is a guided journey with horses that not only offers the joy of walking beside these extraordinary animals, but the chance to be truly seen, understood and supported by them. For many, it can feel extremely empowering.
Image credit :: Wayne Pearson | @waynepearsonsnaps
Walk Sublime isn’t about riding, handling or training the horses. It’s about joining the horses in their world, tuning in to each other’s energy and being open to what these remarkably perceptive animals can teach us about ourselves.
Mel’s purpose
For Mel, Walk Sublime was born from her own personal heartbreak. Not only did she lose her beloved younger brother to cancer, in the same month of his diagnosis her husband walked out on their marriage — and their dream of a country life together. As her world went dark, in that place of grief and rejection, the horses she’d rehomed (vowing to love and care for them forever) became her unexpected lifeline.
“In that harsh place of despair, my saviours were quietly there with me,” explains Mel. “The great irony was, I thought I was saving them — but it was them who saved me.”
Image credit :: Wayne Pearson | @waynepearsonsnaps
What began as an exercise in helping her horses build trust and confidence soon became her own sanctuary for healing. Walking beside them (in the literal sense), taught Mel the power of grounded presence and mindful leadership. Their transparent, intuitive nature helped her learn to regulate her own emotions — a skill that became essential, both in and out of the paddock.
From this deeply personal experience, Mel’s life purpose became crystal clear: to share with others what horses can teach us about ourselves in their gentle, honest, non-judgmental way.
Why horses?
The magic of Walk Sublime lies in the natural intuition of the horses themselves, which is what makes the experience so therapeutic. Did you know that horses can sense a human heartbeat from up to four feet away? Even more incredibly, they’re capable of synchronising their own heartbeat with ours!
As herd animals, horses rely on emotional awareness for survival, constantly reading and responding to the energy of those around them. If one horse feels fear, the others will become frightened too. On the flipside, if one horse feels confident, this can instil confidence in the others.
Image credit :: Wayne Pearson | @waynepearsonsnaps
They tune into humans in similar ways:
Emotional awareness:
Horses are highly attuned to human emotions. They pick up on what we’re feeling (often before we’re consciously aware of it ourselves) and are able to clearly understand non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expressions.
Sensitivity to energy:
Horses can sense subtle shifts in mood or intention, responding to the emotional energy in their surroundings with incredible accuracy. Their honest and immediate response to the environment makes them excellent teachers in developing our own intuition and trust in our instincts.
Trusting intuition:
By paying attention to how horses react in the moment, you can learn to trust your own intuition and develop a deeper understanding of your non-verbal communication and presence.
Horses reflect back to us what it’s like to be in our company. Their grace in doing so offers us an opportunity to improve our own self awareness and understand the way our communication style influences others.
What to expect at Walk Sublime
A Walk Sublime experience is as nurturing and gentle as the horses themselves. There’s no rush. No pressure. Just the opportunity to slow down, connect and be fully present.
The journey begins with a warm welcome from Mel and a cup of tea in her tranquil space in the Adelaide Hills. You’ll spend time observing the horses, learning to read their body language and gaining insight into how they interact with the world. Mel’s intuitive nature and mindful presence will put you instantly at ease.
Image credit :: Wayne Pearson | @waynepearsonsnaps
Mel thoughtfully matches each guest with a horse whose energy and personality complements their own. This is no random pairing — Mel takes great pride in creating the right connection for each individual.
Once trust is established, you and your horse will venture out together, walking side by side along beautiful country trails. It’s an experience of partnership and presence, with no goal other than to simply be… and let the experience unfold!
What people are saying
Mel has had people from all walks of life visit her incredible haven, all with different reasons for being drawn to this experience. Here’s what some past guests have had to say:
“Learning to be at one with your horse is a powerful experience. A language in partnership walking side by side left me feeling so complete. This walk was a unique grounding, confidence-building experience.” — Abbey
“Walking in nature and working with horses (the most intuitive animal in existence!) is one of the best ways to ground yourself and realign your perspective. Mel offers such a warm welcome… as well as leaving you plenty of time to just be. For anyone looking for a way to slow down and find their calm… highly recommended.” — Rebekah
“An experience that exceeds expectations. Mel is a wealth of knowledge and patience. I took myself and my daughter (7) for a morning walk with her horses in the forest. Starting with gentle introductions, easing into a hands-on experience of grooming, then transitioning into leading. Not only an educational day — it’s a natural state of mindfulness.” — Hannah
Plus, our very own Hayley had the most beautiful experience too…
“My beautiful new friend Quattro was once a racehorse, and now she lives her best life, free, with Mel! Today I realised that horse therapy is real — thank you to Walk Sublime for the most heavenly afternoon walking with your four-legged babies!” — Hayley
Image credit :: Wayne Pearson | @waynepearsonsnaps
A haven for both horses and humans
In a fast-paced, noisy world, Walk Sublime offers a rare opportunity for connection, grounding and wholesome self-care. Whether you’re feeling a little lost, seeking personal growth, or simply longing for a meaningful encounter with nature or a bit of zen, this experience invites you to slow down, tune in to yourself and walk a different path.
As Mel says, “I’ve created the life I wanted for myself and have a crystal-clear purpose: to share what the horses teach us about ourselves.”
So go on — come and walk beside these wise beings and discover what they can reveal to you!
Image credit :: Wayne Pearson | @waynepearsonsnaps
:: WEBSITE :: FACEBOOK :: INSTAGRAM ::
Find Walk Sublime in Kuitpo Forest, South Australia.
Advertisement.
