Historically, Native Americans adorned their warrior horses in traditional dress to protect both horses and riders in battle, bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Horse and rider were typically dressed up for ceremonies, war and hunting. This practice was a sacred ritual honouring the partnership between horse and human.

The traditional dress included beads, feathers, shells and paint. The elements used represented many different things across different tribes, but a shared cultural link was a kinship with nature, Mother Earth and animals. This kinship brought power and knowledge to the rider and the horse.

Each colour used in rituals held a different meaning to the power and message it provided.

• Red – war, blood, strength, energy and power.
• Black – victory, it was sometimes applied to the horse before returning to camp.
• White – mourning or peace depending on the application.
• Blue – wisdom and confidence.
• Yellow – represents death, often used to symbolize that the wearer and horse were brave and were willing to fight to the death.
• Green – represents endurance and is seen to have great healing power. It was believed to improve vision. Green circles were sometimes painted around the horse’s eyes.
• Purple – power, mystery and magic.

Horses were highly regarded in the Native American culture and viewed as “spiritual or mythical figures”. People across the world continue to celebrate and decorate their horses for healing, to promote harmony and to provide physical and spiritual protection and communication.*

The Wholistic Equestrian honours and respects the Native American Rhythm Bead traditions and origins and uses it to create the WholistiBEADS Collection. We share the view that the horse is a sacred animal with deep spiritual connections.

We use the power of colour in our sets in various ways. We also incorporate energy and the healing properties of gemstones in our custom-made sets.

At the Wholistic Equestrian, we promote the use of WholistiBEADS to develop confidence and rhythm, encouraging horse and rider to move as one.

*The information written here is intended to honour and celebrate native American Ancestry. We felt that it was crucial to share the beads history as we incorporate them into our business. If any of the information is incorrect or offensive, please contact us and we will make amendments. We have chosen not to include photos of Native Americans in traditional dress as we do not own rights to those photos and do not wish to offend.

1. Soothing sounds of the bells provide focus – Helping you and your horse be mindful and present. This is especially soothing to horses who are always alert and struggle to settle into the rhythm of their ride.
2. Divert you and your horse’s attention away from unwanted distractions – If your horse struggles with rustling bushes or invisible monsters at the arena gate (and although you try so hard to avoid this, you also tense up when you know trouble is coming), WholistiBEADS may take both your minds off of your sticky spots and help you find peace together.
3. Help young, nervous and spooky horses concentrate – The same applies to riders too! Perhaps you had a bad day at work and couldn’t help bringing it into the saddle with you, or your horse is struggling with the fact that they left their buddy in pasture and can no longer see them. The gentle sound and feeling of WholistiBEADS can help you both get your mind off your troubles and settle into the present.
4. Tune in to your horse’s movement and pick up on any changes in strides – As you and your horse subconsciously match your movements to the sound of the bells, you will come together and dance as one. This is especially helpful for endurance riders, show jumpers and cross-country riders where striding is paramount. Over time you will get used to exactly what your horse’s movement sounds like and notice any changes that may require a change in exercise, diet or care.
5. Learn to feel each movement – When working on fine-tuned movements in dressage or a similar discipline, riders often struggle to time their cues correctly with their horse’s movements. When you pair the beads sound to the movement’s feel, it becomes much easier to focus on each footfall and respond. They can even guide you to hearing if you are on the correct diagonal and canter lead.
6. Alert other people and wild animals of your presence – Many horses spook at wild animals, hikers or bikers, because they come up unexpectedly. The more you can minimise this by alerting others of your presence in advance, the more confident your horse will become.
7. Help the rider hear and create a consistent rhythm in their body – The first steps on the Pyramid of Training is relaxation and creating a consistent rhythm in your body for your horse to feel. WholistiBEADS help you towards achieving two steps in the Pyramid of Training!
8. Promote a sense of harmony between you and your horse – The more you and your horse relax and tune in to each other’s rhythms and movement, the more your partnership will grow and prosper.
9. Enhance the natural beauty of your horse – Each horse looks beautiful in a properly fitted set of WholistiBEADS that gently flows with them as they move.
10. Make the perfect accessory to your matchy matchy gear – We want your beads to compliment your existing tack and celebrate the beautiful creativity you and your horse express whenever you are together.
11. Sets containing gemstones – Hold their own unique energy and cellular healing vibration that resonates with people and animals, helps settle imbalances throughout the mind, body and spirit and helps balance the chakras for overall wellness and harmony

Colour has the power to stimulate the body’s innate healing processes. Check out colour therapy, otherwise known as chronotherapy, for more in-depth information. This amazing therapy traces back to ancient Egypt, Greece, China and India.

Each colour has a unique vibrational frequency that can help boost moods and balance emotions. There are many variations of every colour, but we’ve listed the main colours below to keep it simple.

If you’re looking for a particular colour or style, please contact us to chat about your unique design.

• Red – use red to increase enthusiasm for life, where there is a lack of energy, or fear and anxiety. Red represents power, energy, action and assertion.
• Green – use green when you want to improve a relationship. Green represents love, forgiveness, harmony and growth.
• Blue – use blue to calm agitated, excitable, or chaotic states and aid communication. Blue represents harmony and growth.
• Pink – use pink when there are misunderstandings. Pink represents love, freedom and support.
• Orange – use orange where there is boredom, a lack of interest, or a sense of over-seriousness. Orange represents joy and enthusiasm.
• Yellow – use yellow if there is fear and anxiety from unknown factors leading to digestive disorders. Yellow represents confidence and increases alertness and concentration.
• Purple – use purple where there is a need for rebalancing or healing. Purple represents spirituality, creativity and healing.
• Brown – use brown when your horse jigs or struggles to relax. Brown represents comfort, grounding, healing and peace.
• White – use white to celebrate your young horse’s youth. White represents purity and innocence.
• Grey – use grey when you want to show your horse how you see them through your eyes. Grey represents self-respect and dignity.
• Black – use black when you need to show your horse they are safe. Black represents strength, integrity and protection.

When buying WholistiBEADs, you can choose if you would like to add gemstone beads or pendants to your own personalised set.

We have a range of gemstones and can source more if you don’t see what you want. Please note that there will be a delay for special orders. Our gemstone beads can only be paired with acrylic beads due to sizing.

Why add Gemstones to your WholistiBEADS set?

Gemstones have been used in healing rituals and practices for centuries. Nearly every culture globally used crystals at some point in history and they are still prevalent today.

Each crystal holds a unique vibration, a specific chemical composition, properties and healing energies. By adding gemstones to your custom-made set, you can help bring balance back to your horse and promote self-healing.

Current Stock Includes:

• Botswana Agate – strength, reassurance, concentration and self-confidence.
• Fancy Jasper – focus, calm overactive emotions, soothe heart and mind.
• Mookaite Jasper – bring attention to the present, boost self-esteem, enhance creativity.
• Rose Quartz – unconditional love, universal healing, peace.
• Poppy Jasper – joy and cheerfulness, activity and enthusiasm, courage.
• Unakite – balance, grounding, convalescence.
• Sunstone – embodies the yang half of the yin yang duality. Action, moving forward, energy.
• Red Aventurine – independence, abundance, open to receiving outside suggestions
• Carnelian – courage and confidence

• All WholistiBEADS are designed to snap if your horse gets caught.
• The leather cord will snap easily without a lot of pressure.
• Waxed cotton thread has a high breaking point but will snap if your horse gets caught. This style is suitable for vegans. No animal products are used.
• WholistiBEADS should NEVER be left on your horse unattended. You always need to be with your horse while they are wearing this item. They should not be left on when your horse is tied, in a float, or left in their paddock or stable.
• WholistiBEADS come with an alligator clip to hold them in place. These are to be attached to the horse’s mane only, never the saddle or any other piece of tack.
• WholistiBEADS should not be used as a neck rope.
• All beads are securely knotted into place. No beads should become loose during activity.

The Wholistic Equestrian is not responsible for any injury or damage whilst using or wearing WholistiBEADS.