About Keira

Hey, my name is Keira Byrnes and I’m the founder of The Holistic Horse!

I believe that one of the reasons I was put on this earth, was to change the way humans and horses relate into something that is mutually beneficial for both species. So while I always have “too much” going on in my life, that is what it all aligns to. Improving the lives of horses and their humans.

As someone who is a natural rebel, I’ve never loved the idea of following a singular method, or following a particularly linear path in life! I’ve been a groom in professional yards for over a decade, competed at 5***** level eventing and been named on the Shadow Olympic Team, I’ve coached beginner riders, “nervous Nellies”, up to FEI competitors. I’ve learned from as many people as possible (still do!) in as many areas as possible and endeavour to integrate what I learn into what I do.

This is why you’ll see we have guest speakers every single month, because I want to keep expanding my knowledge and understanding, knowing that no single person as all the answers for all the people, horses and situations!

These days I’m studying to become a vet, running a rehab and bodywork business and retraining racehorses through the QOTT programme. I’m also now taking the rest of my work (the stuff I love but don’t have the time to dedicate to 1:1 sessions) into the Holistic Horse Membership, so I can keep coaching, connecting with riders and spreading those ideas and teachings that have most benefited me.

How to live a paradox:

I always think my life is a bit of a paradox. I have competed in elite level eventing, and am fiercely competitive but also believe in loving the horse first and the sport second. I am fascinated and informed by equitation science, but also believe in horses being spiritual teachers. I am a riding coach who aims to make myself obsolete (and will often open a coaching relationship with that proclamation). I am a human chiropractor with a Masters of Research and two papers published in peer-reviewed journals who also adores reiki and spirituality. I have spent most of my life a self proclaimed wimp (one of my favourite quotes comes from Mark Twain “The human race is a race of cowards, and I not only march in that procession, but carry a banner”) but I have created a life by going after the very things that scare me the most. I am an introvert by nature (I’d honestly be a hermit if I could) but I love working with people and finding deep connection in relationships. I was “forced” kicking and screaming to a psychologist’s office but now want more than anything to look at the emotional component to our struggles.

My Horse History

I began riding at age 9, got my first pony at age 12 and began eventing at age 13. I proved that you can get a long way on an attitude of “watch me” and “make me”. I loved to prove the naysayers wrong. I took my magnificent off-the-track gelding Fox Hill from pony club to 5***** level eventing - completing the Australian International 3Day for four consecutive years, placing twice. After finishing school I worked as a groom for over a decade in various professional horse yards from eventing, to dressage, to showjumping, to polo, to racing, to pleasure, to breakers… you name it.

I became a riding coach in 2006 (though really I started coaching back in pony club) and have taught people from beginners to FEI level eventers. I have competed also up to grand prix level showjumping and medium level dressage, as well as training a myriad of horses to varying levels and in various disciplines.

I qualified as a human chiropractor with a Bachelors and Masters from Macquarie University in 2016 - having managed to keep a full team of horses in work and a full-time job throughout my uni career. I published a scientific paper in a peer-reviewed journal, then decided that wasn’t enough so co-authored another, then went back to do a Masters of Research which I completed in early 2019.

Coinciding with the latter part of my chiropractic degree was something of a personal “rock bottom”. My life fell apart, I fell apart, and I faced my biggest demons; not cross country fences, but myself. There was a quote I found at the time which said “strong is what happens when you run out of weak”, for me though peace and love were what happened when I ran out of fear.

Coming back from this time, I dropped a lot of my cynicism and pseudo-self, and discovered the world of reiki and spirituality. I would love to say it changed my life, but really it saved my life. I found joy in deep human connection, and discovered a whole new way to work with and appreciate the horses that I had centred my life around.

I’m not done growing yet, and won’t be for so long as I live, but I can’t wait to see what the future holds, and I adore watching those around me grow and expand too.

Qualifications:

A summary of some of my qualifications include:

Currently studying to become a veterinarian at University of Queensland

Bachelor of Chiropractic Science - Macquarie University

Masters of Chiropractic - Macquarie University

Masters of Research - Macquarie University - original research thesis investigating the effectiveness of a 5 week functional movement programme I designed for dressage riders.

Equine Reiki Master

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilisation 1

Equine Craniosacral Therapy

Equine and Canine Therapeutic Acupuncture

TTouch Level 1

EA Level 1 Coach (registration lapsed)

QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer

Face Reading 1

Shadow Work Coach

Life Coach

NLP

Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping)

Certified Meditation Teacher

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

Ho’oponopono

Family and Systemic Constellation Facilitator

I’m also currently studying:

Bachelor of Veterinary Science - University of Queensland

200hr Yoga Teacher Training

I have also published two research papers in peer-reviewed journals:

Is Pilates and Effective Rehabilitation Tool? A systematic review. Byrnes et al. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2018.

Effects of Non-pharmaceutical Treatments on Symptom Management in Adults With Mild or Moderate Multiple Sclerosis: A Meta-Analysis. Byrnes and Whillier. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2019.

Masters of Research Thesis:

Feasibility of a 5-week functional movement course for dressage horse riders - which can be downloaded through the Macquarie University Research Online portal.