Who Should Attend Equine Assisted Therapy?

Welcome to Horses Healing Us, where we believe that healing is possible for everyone. If you’re grappling with anxiety, depression, grief, or the effects of trauma, our Equine Assisted Psychotherapy programs provide a compassionate pathway to wellbeing wholeness and hope.

Join us to experience the natural, non-invasive benefits of our therapy and embark on a transformative journey toward positive change in your life.

Who Can Use Equine Assisted Therapy?

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.

How Does Equine Therapy Work?

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.

What Are The Benefits Of Equine Therapy?

Equine 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

They can read your mind because your thoughts are making subtle changes in your body.

Confidentiality

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. 

Do I Need Horse Experience To Participate?

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.

What If I Have Never Been Near A Horse And I Am Frightened?

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. 

During an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy session, you don’t necessarily have to go anywhere near the horse(s) to benefit.  Sometimes, just observing from a distance helps us learn something about ourselves or our own environment.

What do I need to wear and bring? 

As we will be outdoors among the elements and the ponies, you must dress according to the elements and the weather for the day. However the weather can change without notice. It’s good practice to have a warm jacket on standby. As a safety precaution, enclosed weatherproof shoes are essential. It is also important to bring an appropriate hat and a full water bottle.

What happens if it rains?        

We have some undercover shedding where we can retreat if the rain becomes a torrential downpour, but we usually push on through a bit of rain, as it’s all part of the great experience here at Horses Healing Us.

What is the cancellation policy?

We appreciate that plans can change unexpectedly. So if you need to cancel prior to 48 hours before the start of our appointment there is no cost to you. Unfortunately cancellations within 48 hours of your appointment will be charged at the full amount.

Will I be able to ride a horse?

No, we don’t provide any horse riding opportunities. We focus on doing ground work with the horses, but not on them.

Do you provide services to children?

We provide equine assisted psychotherapy to children who attend Year 7 and above.

Is there a toilet on-site?

Yes, we have toilets available for your use.

Can you write a report for me?

Yes we can. We can write reports for: schools, care-providers, funding agencies and NDIS Co-ordinators, these are charged at an hourly rate with a one hour minimum. Give us a call to discuss this further