Welfare, behavior, professional education and wild travel experiences
Today all this is possible thanks to a small group of professionals who have dedicated their life to the horse.
Animantia was established in 2002 by Elena Bajona. Animantia is modeled by combining scientific knowledge, in continuous evolution, with the innovative practical knowledge of management and training of mans noble animal, the horse.
It has been the first academy in Europe to specialize in Equine behavior where many professionals were trained and have moved on to productive horse businesses. Animantia was made possible with the precious collaboration of Jason Buckingham, well-known professional and trainer of great international success.
Animantia has been the first ethological facility dedicated to the natural management of the horse.
Over the years, with the birth and expansion of different organizations that have followed in Animantias footsteps, it has now evolved into an international center which through various professionals, includes both professional training as well as educating students on all techniques related to the well-being and health of the horse.
Furthermore, it also offers travel experiences around the world dedicated to observe the last true wild horses in the world to experience nature and in turn help to preserve it.
Entirely dedicated to the horse and his spirit.
Elena Bajona
Professional Ethologist, Applied Equine Behaviorist & Founder
Since establishing Animantia in 2002, Elena Bajona has stood at the forefront of modern equine ethology, pioneering the first Academy in Europe specialized in equine behavior and natural, ethological management. Her lifelong work bridges rigorous behavioral science with the profound emotional and psychological preservation of the equine spirit. Rejecting mechanical, coercive conditioning methods—including the limits of traditional positive and negative reinforcement—Elena has dedicated over two decades to decoding the pure, innate communication of wild horse herds.
Elena’s expansive international career, media features, and holistic clinical expertise serve as the backbone of Animantia’s advanced educational programs:
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Ethological Research & Media Features: Since 2004, Elena has curated and led Wild Horse Expeditions in pristine natural habitats globally for researchers, students, and enthusiasts. Her deep field expertise led her to participate in two major international documentaries dedicated to wild horses in the USA, directed by the BBC for Animal Planet (Wild Mustangs), as well as a specialized project dedicated to horses for MTV. Her immersion into wild herds underlines her philosophy that the real wild horse is the ultimate master of behavioral and social understanding.
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The Power of Partnership: For more than 12 years, Elena worked side by side as the professional partner of Jason Buckingham. This unique alliance beautifully merged her scientific background with the highest level of traditional, compassionate American horsemanship, establishing a definitive standard for equine education in Europe.
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Clinical Therapy & Holistic Healing: An expert Animal Behaviorist and Therapist, Elena advanced her specializations in the United States, integrating equine massage therapy, physical rehabilitation, and behavioral therapy to treat complex trauma. Recognizing that true healing requires an alignment of Science and Spirit, she is also a certified Reiki Practitioner of the Usui System of Natural Healing, allowing her to offer a deeply integrated, energetic, and somatic approach to equine recovery and human-horse connection.
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Scientific Advocacy & Conservation: A fervent believer in wildlife preservation, Elena has collaborated extensively with global conservation bodies. Since 2017, she has partnered with Return to Freedom to optimize the welfare and management of rescued Wild American Mustangs. In 2019, she obtained scientific certification from the Science and Conservation Center (Montana, USA) for the remote administration of wildlife immunocontraception.
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Academic & Interdisciplinary Teaching: Elena has spent nearly two decades delivering specialized courses to equine professionals worldwide. Her interdisciplinary approach includes collaborating as a freelance professional at the Academy of Equine Dentistry (Idaho, USA), where she designed specialized curricula on applied behavior to minimize stress and optimize equine welfare during clinical dental management.
Through Animantia, Elena’s unique way goes far beyond a scientific approach; it is a life-altering experience that profoundly elevates both human awareness and the cognitive liberty of the horse.
Elena Bajona – Animantia photo by Andy Dittrich
Jason Buckingham & Elena Bajona @ OnlyOne Ranch Tuscany, Italy
Jason Buckingham
Master Horseman & Head of Technical Training
Jason Buckingham is globally recognized as one of the most compassionate, knowledgeable, and capable horsemen in the world—a professional cowboy of rare grace, wisdom, and international success. For more than 12 years, Elena Bajona worked side by side with Jason, a profound collaboration that solidified the practical application of Animantia’s core philosophy.
Born and raised on a massive 65,000-acre historic ranch in the Great Basin of southern Idaho—managing thousands of cattle and a vast herd of free-roaming performance horses—Jason’s relationship with the horse was never a career choice; it was a pure way of life. He started his first colt at just nine years old, spending his youth halter-breaking young stock and retraining complex problem horses entirely through natural groundwork.
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The Ray Hunt Influence: Growing up in the rugged landscape of the Great Basin, Jason was uniquely influenced and mentored by legendary horsemen who shaped the foundation of modern horsemanship. Raised in close proximity to Ray Hunt and the Dorrance brothers, Jason absorbed a rare, instinctual wisdom regarding equine psychology, feel, and timing—knowledge passed down directly from the primary sources of true horsemanship.
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The Pioneer of Ranch Work in Italy: In 2004, Jason brought his lifelong expertise to Europe to share the authentic, low-stress traditions of the American West. He stands as the definitive founder and pioneer of authentic ranch work and no-stress ranch roping in Italy. By introducing these historic, horse-first western methodologies to the country, he revolutionized the local equestrian landscape, teaching riders and professionals how to handle cattle and ropes with absolute precision, calmness, and deep horsemanship.
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Rodeo & Ranching Elite: A highly accomplished professional cowboy and scholarship athlete, Jason served as Cow Boss and Lead Man for premier American livestock operations, managing massive herds and specialized cowboy crews. As an elite competitor in the United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) and amateur rodeo circuits, he earned multiple titles, including Northwest Roper Champion and Northwest Ranch Rodeo Champion. He also co-founded the first ethological equine training facilities alongside Elena in Tuscany, and has personally started or masterfully restarted over 9,500 horses.
As the Head of Technical Consulting for Animantia, Jason combines his unparalleled American ranching heritage with an intimate, gentle understanding of horse communication. His presence ensures that every client experiences a masterclass in authentic, elegant, and 100% natural horsemanship.
Jason Buckingham
Jason Buckingham – horse gathering
“In twenty-five years of my life dedicated to the study, research and work in the “field”, I have understood that it is precisely the object of study that turns out to be your true mater, no one else.
As I am teaching how to communicate with horses, to train and to solve problems, by different paths, people come to Animantia and always says that the particular work I do with them and the horses goes far beyond the scientific approach. It was life changing for them, in every aspect of their life, not only the part intended for the relationship with their horse. This is and will always be my greatest satisfaction. Change and improve the lives of horses’ and people, through the horse himself, the true master. ”
EBJ