Equine assisted therapy involves various activities with horses that help improve physical, mental and emotional aspects of the participants health and the wellbeing of our diverse range of participants.

Sessions are specifically designed for individuals to take steps their goals: equine assisted psychotherapy activities are experiential in nature, such as leading a horse or pony through to grooming and feeding, all while closely supervised by a trained professional.

Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy can help with a range of presenting issues: psychological, social and physical, however it is most commonly used for supporting people with mental health presentations, such as:

• Day to day stressful living
• General emotional regulation
• Improved feelings of well-being

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is set in an environment that feels relaxed and non-judgmental, so it can be suitable for a broad range of people as the majority of participants feel comfortable using and developing their social skills while improving overall wellbeing.

Equine therapy is very effective due to the particular nature of horses – they can mirror human emotions and react similarly to us when placed in social situations. For example, if a participant starts their session calm, the horse is likely to respond in the same manner, allowing them to connect and bond through the activity. On the other hand, if someone starts their activity nervous and agitated, the horse may step away. Each and every session is experiential in nature that leads to insights on individuals state of mind.

Equine Assisted Therapy  has a multitude of benefits, helping participants improve their cognitive, physical, emotional and social wellbeing. These can include:

Cognitive: improved attention span, better concentration, greater tactile awareness

Physical: improved muscle tone, better posture, greater balance, better coordination

Emotional and social: improved judgement and awareness, greater self-esteem, boost in confidence and improved regulation

The information you provide in Horses Healing Us sessions remain confidential and cannot be released without your consent, however there are limitations to client confidentiality:

• If we have concerns you may harm yourself or others
• or if this information is subpoenaed by law, then we are mandated to disclose relevant details to necessary authorities.

It is customary that therapists take notes during sessions, and you can rest assured that all such notes will be stored securely.  As a registered counselor and psychotherapist, Andrew is bound by his association memberships Code of Ethics, which sets out strict guidelines in relation to client confidentiality. 

No, not at all. We will teach you about how horses think, and how to be safe when interacting with the horse. No experience is needed at all.

Each person responds to being in the presence of a horse differently. 

Some people are confident, and others are not.  Many people have never been close to such a large animal, and this can be frightening. That’s totally understandable, it’s all part of the learning and growing.

Clients can choose whether to engage with the horses or not, as part of their therapy journey. 

You will need dress for being outside when working with the horses.

The yard you will be working in is covered for shade and the cover keeps most rain out. But on stormy, rainy and windy days we may have to cancel sessions. Also once it gets very hot (about 38 degrees) it is not fair to the horses, you or our team to keep working outside. On a bad day when we can’t work with horses, you might like to come along anyway and have a chat anyway.

No, we will focus on ground exercises around and with the horses, but not on them. Horses Healing Us believe the most powerful interactions from a therapeutic point of view can happen whilst on the ground when connecting with horses and their psychotherapist.

We can’t wait for you to experience our tranquil and beautiful location in Kyabram, in the heart of north central Victoria, located between Bendigo, Shepparton and Echuca.

All appointments are conducted at the therapy rooms in Kyabram, a small town located in north central Victoria

This allows Andrew to complete a full assessment to determine if Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a good fit for you and to explore your specific therapy goals. Subsequent sessions are conducted on the property with the horses.

Our property “Moora Moora”, is peaceful and picturesque, we have an abundance of birdlife on the dam and beautiful gumtrees around the heart of Horses Healing Us, the arena, the horse yards and stable complex.

Horses Healing Us Address: “Moora Moora”, 93 Howards Lane, Kyabram Vic 3620.

Howards Lane is sign posted and can be accessed only off the Lancaster Road C351 and is situated 4.8km east of the township of Kyabram. The same road, is called the Lancaster-Mooroopna Road C351 if you are coming from Shepparton or Mooroopna.

Turn into Howards Lane and drive to the end of Howards Lane, where the bitumen road ends and the surface turns into gravel, you can’t miss it as there is a little cottage on the left-hand side and you will be going through a gap in a picket fence.

Go through the gap in the picket fence and continue past the cottage along the gravel road.

The gravel road after about 90 metres turns left, this is a private roadway that is shared with our neighbours on the left-hand side.

Horses Healing Us is located on the right-hand side about 100 metres along the shared driveway and the entrance is marked with a red wagon wheel, turn right and go through the gates and park to the left.

The clinic front door is located to the left of the double garage door attached to the house.

If all else fails, call us on 0411- 576 676.