Louie has decided to do his own thing. The young horse breaks free from the herd and gallops down the beach, bucking and kicking. Rather than make chase, staff watch him, laughing at the one-year-old’s energy and exuberance, before he happily trots back to his herd. Because that’s how horses act here at Nihi Sumba – they’re encouraged to follow their natural instincts and act wild and free.
It’s a striking change from how we usually see domesticated horses. Training or “breaking” horses tends to involve metal bits in the animals’ mouths, necks pulled into unforgettable-looking “outlines”, and the use of whips and spurs as aids.
