HORSES EMPOWERING RECOVERY
Programme Overview
This equine-assisted therapy group is designed to support Stage 3 and Stage 4 trauma recovery, focusing on reintegration, relational confidence, and the consolidation of therapeutic gains into everyday life. At this stage of recovery, clients are ready to practice living with greater agency, connection, and confidence beyond individual therapy. This programme offers a structured, experiential, and relational setting in which clients can practice boundaries, emotional regulation, communication, and connection in real-time.
The group format further strengthens reintegration by providing opportunities for shared experience, peer support, and relational learning. Participants practice collaboration, leadership, consent, and communication with both human and animal partners, reducing social avoidance and increasing confidence in safe relational engagement. The presence of horses also moderates the intensity of direct interpersonal interaction, supporting emotional safety while fostering connection.
Participant Benefits
Strengthen emotional regulation and resilience through experiential, horse-supported learning that builds grounding, affect tolerance, and adaptive coping.
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Enhance relational capacity
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Deepen insight through non‑verbal, experiential feedback from horses
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Build practical life skills—such as communication, boundaries, leadership, problem‑solving, and stress management
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Reinforce identity and self-worth
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Strengthen resilience across Te Whare Tapa Whā
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Promote psychosocial learning
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Cultivate belonging and relational safety.