"As a society we (should be) embarrassed about what we've done to our wild horses," he said yesterday.

"The street kids get swept under the carpet in the same way, too."

Mr Powell was preparing his team of four horses and a dog for clinics at Equitana Asia Pacific, which began on Thursday at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.

The self-confessed horse geek works with charity groups. This year he will film a documentary in which disadvantaged boys will be taught how to work with, and ride, the brumbies.

The words "respect" and "trust" are sprinkled throughout Mr Powell's description of the training methods he has developed since his teens.

He worked with Hugh Jackman on exercises for the star's role in Australia.

The irony of having a behind-the-scenes role in one of Australia's richest epics with his Arab gelding Sam, a $750 former rogue horse, is not lost on Mr Powell.

"They paid me for it but I would have done it for nothing," he said. "Hugh was a pleasure to work with."

A crowd of equine experts will ply their skills at the Showgrounds this week.

Olympic medallists Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks, famed US trainer Pat Parelli, and Danish dressage superstar Andreas Helgstrand will present clinics.

There was also a Western spectacular.

Equitana runs until Sunday; general admission is $35. Metropolitan public transport is free for ticketholders and includes trains from North Melbourne; Showgrounds parking is $14.

http://www.equitana.com.au