Janine Whyte, the “Globe-trotting Cowgirl” - Part I

By: Virginia Imberti Posted: 23/01/2020

Janine on horseback connects to the world

Janine Whyte has been in close contact to horses since she was six years old. Equestrian tourism was her key to discover the beauty of every corner she has travelled to.

During years, she has climbed mountain ranges, waded through rivers and galloped across great expanses of wide open spaces in far-away magical places.

Riding a horse is her opportunity to escape from the stressful city life.

Janine Whyte (Globe-trotting Cowgirl), first got bitten by the travel bug in 2007 whilst backpacking around the world on a sabbatical year from work. In 2009 she stumbled across the world of equine-tourism and discovered that she could combine her two greatest passions in life, horses and travel.

Discover her optimistic and profound look on life, a life connected to horses and riding, in this interview.

How old were you when you started to ride a horse and when did you first begin to feel your passion for horses?

As long as I can remember I've always had a deep fascination and love of horses. My family background is certainly not what you would call typically “horsey.” My parents only interactions with these noble creatures involved using them to farm their family’s land. I remember my Grandmother had a donkey that we used to attempt to ride bareback as kids and one of her cows, Cooby, was a real old pet that we used to play horse with, but no horses! I, however, always felt as though something was calling me towards these beautiful animals.

As luck would have it, or perhaps it was divine intervention, my opportunity to learn to ride came about early in life. At six years of age my family decided to move to a new house in County Kildare, Ireland which put me in direct contact with horses through a neighbour who happened to be a riding instructor. Every Saturday morning myself and my brother would cram into the front of her battered yellow car, driving the short two miles to the local riding school.

From the first moment I sat in the saddle I fell in love, the methodical, rhythmic movement of the horse beneath me became almost like a meditation and had me lulled deeply into a serene sense of belonging.

Horses quickly became my happiness and ignited within me a burning passion and love that only intensified with each hoof beat. A few years later she opened her own riding school, right on my doorstep and that is where I spent the bulk of my childhood surrounded by horses.

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For ten years, you have been travelling around the world and visiting incredible places. What is the life lesson that you learned in all this time riding horses? What would you like to tell other people?

The aspect of these trips that I enjoy exploring the most is the bond between horse and rider, a bond that’s built on trust, understanding and most of all respect.

I have covered countless kilometres in the saddle, over some of the harshest, inhospitable and barren environments. I’ve climbed mountain ranges, waded through rivers and seas, galloped across great expanses of wide open spaces in far away magical places. None of this would have been possible without the trust and companionship of my four legged friends and it never ceases to amaze me how far a horse will go for you once you have gained his trust.

I find this bond between horse and rider incredibly unique and fascinating and I enjoy exploring it. The adventures that challenge you and your horse in every conceivable way and then the pure unadulterated euphoric joy you feel when you reach the end and know that you rode as one, that deep relationship consolidated.

I think it’s always important for people to remember how hard our horses work for us, they work tirelessly for our entertainment and carry us graciously and willingly to our desired destination covering up to 300kms in a week. For that they deserve respect and admiration, spend time with your horse out of the saddle, groom, massage, stretch his legs, show appreciation for the privilege he/she is granting you, show that he is not merely your transport, but your equal partner.

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What things were you able to learn thanks to equestrian tourism, and that wouldn’t have been possible with conventional tourism?

“You can see what man made from the seat of an auto-mobile, but the best way to see what God made is from the back of a horse.” Charles M. Russell (1864-1926).

I have learnt so many lessons from my years of travelling the world on horseback. On an equestrian holiday you are actively participating in an adventure, an expedition, a journey, you are not merely a spectator.With equestrian tourism, I have been able to truly connect with a particular culture through the medium and love of horses be it Gauchos in South America, the Bedouin in Jordan or the Oromo People of Ethiopia.

Having “something in common” enables conversations and connections to be made on a deeper level and skills and knowledge to be exchanged and I’ve learnt invaluable snippets of wisdom from each culture that I’ve been privileged enough to spend time with.

I’ve learnt the true meaning of trust, respect, communication and partnership between horse and rider. I’ve learnt that beauty exists around every corner in our World. Most importantly I’ve learned that there is no right or wrong way to live a life, there is no one size fits all, that all we can do is live the best we can with our one precious life.

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You’ve become someone popular in the equestrian world… What positive things are linked to the fact of being an equestrian influencer?

I’ve never really considered myself to be an influencer to be honest! I always wanted my voice to be heard, to try to inspire others and a part of me really wants to change the world! I'm just a normal person with a normal job, I never thought that what I am passionate about was unique or special at all, it's just something I do, but every time I came home from a trip and told my stories to friends and family they urged me to write a blog, get my adventures out there. So, after much procrastination and worrying if anybody would ever even read it, I bit the bullet and introduced Indiana Neeners Globetrotting Cowgirl to the world!

I also had a deeper motivation for writing my blog. I wanted to show people that there is more than one way to live your life and that it's okay if you don't follow the Status Quo. You're not a failure if you choose to take the path least travelled, you're not a failure if you haven't reached all the milestones that Society dictates for us by the time you're thirty, and most importantly, you're not alone because the World certainly needs more freethinkers, more adventurers, more healers and peacekeepers, more story tellers and travellers, your tribe are out there!

I really wanted to spread the message that you only get one life, a fragile and precious gift, don't waste it doing what you think you SHOULD be doing or what you think is EXPECTED of you… do what makes you HAPPY, what makes your heart sing, what makes you glow with joy, what gets the blood pumping through your veins and what puts an enormous smile on your face.

I’m also incredibly passionate about Horse Welfare and from my experiences and what I have witnessed at times I know there is a better way to treat our equine friends. It doesn’t come from a bad place but I do think sometimes there is a lack of understanding, a lack of horse culture, a lack of education and a lack of knowledge when it comes to horses.

So, I’m currently studying a Post Graduate Degree in Equine Science, to educate myself further to give myself the skills and scientific knowledge to try and help others understand our horses better, to give them the best life possible.

Being an “influencer” gives one a platform to talk about important topics, to promote education, to promote discussion and also to show people that they are not always alone, there are people out there just like you.

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Do you connect with other equestrian influencers?

At the end of the day, each equestrian influencer has a deep love and passion for horses and that will always connect us, and I respect each and every equestrian influencer out there, but we also focus on different aspects of the equine world.

We have different interest, different styles, different niches. There are so many different aspects to equestrianism, some that I don’t understand and some that I don’t relate to. The most important thing is that the integrity and welfare of the horse is upheld, that best practices are being promoted and that correct knowledge is being shared by influencers.

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How do you see the future of equestrian tourism? Do you think it will increase, remain the same or decrease?

I hope it will continue to increase. I have seen a steady increase in the amount of agencies, the amount of operators and the amount of adventures available since I started on my journey over 10 years ago. It is a fantastic way to experience a country and it’s culture, to truly get off the beaten track and out of your comfort zone and lets not forget how environmentally friendly it is to travel by horse rather than four wheel drive or bus!

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What actions do you think that Equestrian Tourism suppliers and specialized tour operators could do to promote this activity?

In this day and age, social media is obviously an important tool which by promotional activities and marketing take place. Travel documentaries, great photography, video footage, wonderful writing and of course the use of influencers are all ways in which this activity can be promoted. The more things you can do to get people talking about Equestrian Tourism, the more it becomes something that people want to experience and explore.

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What habits, behaviours and customs from other countries have made an impression on you, and do you think that they should be taken into account everywhere in the world.

Travelling throughout Africa I always deeply admired the sense of Community that exists, the sense of togetherness, the sense of truly helping your neighbour, the practice of Ubuntu. There is a phrase in Southern African, “Umntu Ngumntu Ngabantu” or “I am, because you are” and it describes the meaning of Ubuntu, we are all connected and that one can only grow and progress through the growth and progression of others.

Ubuntu reminds us that no one is an island — every single thing that you do, good or bad, has an effect on your family, friends, and society. It also reminds us that we need think twice about the choices we want to make and the kind of impact they may have on others.

In the Western World we have become so insular, so individualistic and so self serving, the sense of Community has disappeared and in some ways I feel that humanity is also disappearing. Nationalistic views are preached and becoming more popular, emphasis is put on creating differences between people, dividing and conquering, creating a society where people believe they are better than others because of their religion, colour, beliefs. It’s frightening. We need to return to that sense of Community, to those building blocks of Society, people need to realise and understand that we are in fact all the same and what we do to one we also do to ourselves.

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Is the logistic support from a service supplying company of equestrian tourism important to you during an equestrian route? (That is, the company should always be at the service of the customer, meeting all their needs.)

Understandably clients pay hard earned money to go on equestrian trips so of course a certain level of service is expected depending on the price mark. Personally, I really struggle with having people do everything for me.

I like to look after my horse, to groom, tack up and feed, for me it’s about respect. My horse is my partner on this journey, and there must be respect in any partnership, he/she is carrying me safely across incredibly difficult terrain for many hours, it is only fair that I reciprocate that effort, that I take the time to make sure my horse is comfortable and free of injury after a long day in the saddle, I don’t expect anybody to do that for me.

These trips can be hard, they can challenge you in ways you never thought could be possible, you are all in it together, both clients and staff are going on this journey together, it can be difficult even for staff at times and it is important to always work as a team, to help each-other out where you can… as they say many hands make light work!

One thing I do really appreciate having is a back-up vehicle to carry luggage! I’ve done trips where I’ve had to carry a back pack or stuff everything into saddle bags… it’s fun, it’s adventurous but it’s hard on the horse and the rider, so a back up vehicle is always very much appreciated!

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Do you miss your homeland when you are riding somewhere else?

Honestly, I can’t say that I do! I travel to see and experience things that I can’t at home. When I’m travelling I immerse myself completely in the country and culture that I am in, I open myself completely to the new experiences.

I love my country, it is beautiful (even if it rains a little too much for my liking!) and I may be biaist but Irish people truly are the most welcoming and amazing people you will ever meet. I’m very proud to be Irish and Ireland is never far from my heart, perhaps travelling so much to foreign lands makes me appreciate my homeland more.

>When I first started travelling in 2007 there was no Wi-Fi, no smartphones, Facebook was just starting, Skype was the only video calling service there was, mostly you had to go to an internet café if you wanted to use the internet. Nowadays you have all this at the touch of a button in your little hand held device, you can video chat, share photos, connect with loved ones in minutes so really no matter where you are in the world you are not actually that far from home.

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There is a beautiful quote in your website about the freedom that can be found during a horse riding route. What positive aspects of your personality does equestrian travel make you connect with?

>When I’m leaving to go on a trip my friends usually ask what am I most excited about, and I always answer “I can’t wait to just be feral!” There are no expectations on these trips, there is no judgement of how you look or act, you may not even have water to wash or shower, often there is a complete detox from social media and all that connects us to the crazy world around us, that is freedom in it’s purist form.

I connect with my basic humanity, with getting back to a simpler life, being surrounded by nature and animals, interesting people and different cultures, it’s nurturing to the soul on a very deep level.

It’s pretty raw, you’re stripped back to necessities and it is very freeing. Being exposed to the elements and the beauty of nature, connecting with horses, it’s very powerful and it makes me feel very alive.

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/ Sources of the photos: www.indiananeenersglobetrottingcowgirl.com /

The first part of the interview ends here with Janine. We hope that Janine's experiences have aroused your interest and that you continue with us in the second part of the interview, where the conversation with the “Globe-trotting Cowgirl” continues.

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling the world on horseback?

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.

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