Our story
From the farm,
through the wild.
How a nine-year-old’s question, answered by elephants, lions and a thousand safari horses, became a way of helping people and horses find calm together.
Chapter 1 · The farm
A boy, two horses,
and a question.
Rynhardt Erasmus was nine when the horses arrived on the family farm in Southern Africa. A patient Arab showed him what easy looks like. An unhandled stallion taught him something deeper: horses answer honesty, not technique.
Around the same time he picked up a rasp and began trimming his own horses’ hooves, and learned early that what you see on the surface is shaped by the structure underneath.
What is the horse responding to, when he says yes to a child with nothing to teach him?
The question that never let go
Chapter 2 · The bush years
Among lion
and elephant.
Ray became one of Southern Africa’s youngest Big Five trails guides, walking guests through the Kruger and the Okavango. He missed the partnership of horses, so he moved to horseback safaris, where horse and rider face wild Africa together.
Out there, the horses showed him something that contradicted everything domestic horsemanship taught: they could overcome their deepest instinct in front of elephants, while horses in safe yards spook at plastic bags.
Young lions stalking us, filmed by one of Ray’s guests 
Nose to nose with a white rhino 
Eye to eye with giants 
Standing watch, from the saddle 
Between two giraffe. Not a hoof moves 
A lion at rest, the horses at ease 
Walking up to giants, Okavango 
Two nervous systems, one hippo 
Across the delta by boat 
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Chapter 3 · The paradox
How can horses overcome flight in the most extreme places, and struggle where there is no threat at all?
The answer was consequences. In the bush the rider has no second chances: no options, no ego, no podium. That creates real presence, and horses read presence perfectly.
Calm under pressure is not the absence of a threat. It is the presence of a regulated nervous system.
The missing link between the bush and the arena is communication and education. Closing that gap, for horses and their people, became Horse Flow Academy.
Chapter 4 · The science
Where science met
the saddle.
Watching was not enough. Ray went looking for the science that explained what the bush had shown him, and wove it into one framework, and into the book Communicate With Your Horse.
- Dr Andrew McLeanEquitation science and learning theory
- Jaak PankseppThe neuroscience of emotion
- Flow psychologyOptimal states of mind
- Yogi SharpHoof biomechanics
- Neuroscience and biologyHow the horse’s brain and body learn
- The old mastersThe classical school of riding
- The Pignon brothersJean-François and Frédéric, masters of liberty
- LorenzoLiberty at speed
- Xenophon“What you ask of the horse, the horse should be able to give willingly”
Chapter 5 · Today
Wilderness, Garden Route,
and wherever you are.
Today Horse Flow Academy works from Wilderness on South Africa’s Garden Route: training horses, riders, grooms and hooves across the Western Cape, and taking the method further through clinics, the book, the app and the online academy.
The goal is always the same: two nervous systems in flow.
What people say
In their words.
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My riding started late, aged 54 and the greatest obstacle was confidence. I became consistently more rigid and fearful of riding in spite of having the kindest and most balanced horse on the yard. By the time I started having lessons with Ray I was hardly riding at all and I certainly could not leave the yard on my own without another rider or someone on foot. Even then I was anxious and riding was not really a pleasure. After only two lessons with Ray he showed me how and why I could trust my horse, and how to gently push past the anxiety and find pleasure and companionship with my horse. We now ride out on our own and have a lot more fun than I thought possible. Thank you Raynold for sharing your skills and knowledge so generously. I now choose to have lessons regularly just because they are such fun and I learn so much.
Anne Horse Owner
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Working with Reynard from HorseFlow Academy has completely changed the way I understand horses and horse ownership. Through my journey with Qinta, who has spinal compression and neurological challenges, as well as Honey, who comes from a traumatic background, I’ve learned that putting a horse first goes far beyond food, turnout, or physical care. Reynard’s approach gives horses a voice. He creates space for them to choose, to communicate, and to actively participate in their relationship with humans rather than being forced into it. Watching him work has been incredibly profound. He has an exceptional ability to read and respect equine communication, while also helping humans understand just how sensitive and perceptive horses really are. What has fascinated me most is the science behind his work, particularly the understanding of neurological rewiring. Just as humans can form new neural pathways through safety, trust, and experience, I’ve watched Reynard help my horses do the same. You can visibly see the shift happening in the horse, as fear patterns soften and new responses begin to emerge. It’s been an incredibly powerful thing to witness. Not only has he helped all of my horses make remarkable progress emotionally and physically, but he has also taught me the awareness, patience, and flow behind genuine horse-human connection. His work is rooted in understanding rather than force, and being part of that journey has been transformative for both me and my horses.
Marissa Horse Owner
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Rynhart is an extraordinary horse man. His knowledge of horses’ biomechanics, nervous systems and deeper physical and emotional tensions is unparalleled. His way of explaining this to humans is clear, practical and compassionate. My nervy mare and my novice horse self have been so enriched by each interaction. He cares deeply for each horse and really focuses his attention and solutions on what matters most. I cannot recommend him enough. Each lesson is a pivotal growth point in our partnership and learning. What I notice most, is his incredible ability to read a horse’s body language and to react in harmony with it. He teaches a release awareness that happens before even the horse and I realise it’s needed.
Dianne Horse Owner
Helping people,
helping horses.
One horse or a whole yard. Ray answers every message himself.