HORSES EMPOWERING HEALING
Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine‑Assisted Therapy integrates horses into the counselling process to support clients experiencing emotional, behavioural, or psychological challenges. Each session is guided by our registered counsellor and equine specialist, creating a safe, structured environment where clients can explore emotions, patterns, and relationships through real‑time interaction with horses.
Sessions are tailored to individual goals, including:
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Mental wellbeing and emotional regulation
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Positive behaviour change
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Healthy relationships
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Mindfulness and coping strategies
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Resilience, empowerment, and self‑awareness
Horses as Metaphors for Life
Horses respond honestly to human emotion, often reflecting the very patterns clients experience in their daily lives. Their behaviour can highlight boundaries, obstacles, relational dynamics, or internal states in a way that is immediate and deeply meaningful.
A horse standing in front of a client may symbolise an immovable life barrier or a relationship where someone repeatedly pushes against their boundaries. The equine specialist may draw attention to the emerging pattern, while the therapist supports the client to explore the emotions, memories, or insights the moment evokes. These experiences arise naturally and without judgment, helping clients reach the heart of an issue more quickly than traditional talk‑based therapy.
Somatic Shifts: Change You Can Feel
Equine therapy is both reflective and embodied. As clients interact with the horses, their nervous system responds in real time. Breathing may slow, tension may ease, or a sense of steadiness may emerge as a horse softens, approaches, or chooses connection.
When a client asserts a boundary or stands with new confidence, the shift is often felt physically — shoulders settle, posture lengthens, and clarity strengthens. Horses respond instantly to these embodied changes, reinforcing new patterns of regulation, assertiveness, and emotional awareness. Clients don’t just talk about change — they feel it, supporting lasting, integrated transformation.
Age Considerations
Equine therapy relies on metaphor, symbolic thinking, and reflective processing, making it most effective for clients aged 13 and above. Younger children often benefit more when their caregivers engage in sessions alongside of or instead of. Supporting parents or carers to understand patterns and model new ways of relating can create meaningful, sustainable change within the family system.
HEALING FROM THE GROUND UP
Grounded Hooves Equine Therapy
Equine therapy at Grounded Hooves is a fully ground‑based, experiential approach — no riding, no pressure, and no prior horse experience needed. Clients work alongside our therapy horses in a calm, natural environment supported by Susan (Mental Health Professional) and Leanne (Equine Specialist).
Together, we provide a safe, respectful therapeutic space where clients can explore emotions, relationships, and personal patterns through authentic interaction with horses.
How We Work
Our approach is client‑led, experiential, and grounded in safety. Sessions take place in an arena where clients interact with the horses in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful.
Emotional support — Susan supports emotional safety and therapeutic process.
Equine safety — Leanne ensures physical safety of both horses and clients, and observes equine behaviour.
Equine partnership — Horses offer feedback, set boundaries, initiate connection, or choose distance based on the moment.
We do not direct or interpret. Instead, we hold space for clients to make meaning in their own time. Every interaction — approaching, avoiding, struggling, succeeding, or simply being present — becomes part of the therapeutic process.
Why Horses?
Horses are highly attuned, responsive animals. Their honest reactions create a therapeutic environment where clients can:
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Notice relational patterns
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Build emotional awareness
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Explore boundaries and communication
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Experience regulation and grounding
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Access deeper insight
Because horses are free to respond naturally, their behaviour often mirrors what is happening for the client, offering powerful opportunities for reflection and growth.
Who We Support
Equine therapy can be effective for individuals and groups working through:
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Trauma and PTSD
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Sensitive‑claim recovery
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Anxiety and depression
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Relationship challenges
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Emotional regulation
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Confidence and self‑esteem
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Stress and life transitions
Our Services
We offer a range of equine‑assisted therapy options. Individual sessions are 60 minutes, and ACC group programmes are 3 hours per session over 8 weeks.
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Individual therapy
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Couples therapy
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Family therapy
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ACC‑funded individual sessions
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ACC sensitive‑claim group programmes - Grounded Hooves Recovery.