Equine Assisted Counselling (EAC) and Life Coaching is the experience of human–horse interaction in a natural, nature-based setting that fosters learning and self-discovery, guided by a registered professional counsellor and life coach.

My approach is eclectic and person-centered. Sessions may draw on a combination of techniques, including:

• Relational perspectives

• Mindful-awareness practices

• Animal and nature-based therapies

• Strengths-based approaches

• Psycho-education (when relevant)

• Somatic Experiencing®

The goal is to empower you to respond to life from a place of awareness, wholeness, and presence. Our senses are our first language; by engaging and strengthening them, we deepen our awareness of ourselves and the world around us. This self-awareness supports resilience, helps reawaken the senses, enables goal-setting, builds confidence, and encourages mastery over your own life.

Equine-assisted sessions differ from traditional counselling. Horses actively participate in the experience, alongside me as your counsellor. They communicate honestly and empathetically, providing immediate feedback that enhances self-awareness and personal insight.

Activities may include observing horses from a distance, learning about herd dynamics or equine psychology, grooming, simple leading exercises, and body and present moment awareness practices. All interactions are based on mutual consent and relationship; horses express themselves freely, and nothing is forced—only invited. No prior horse experience or riding is required. My horses are in training, and sessions do not involve riding.

Please wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe footwear, bring carrots for the horses if you like, and bring an open heart.

Note: EAC/EFW is a therapeutic experience and is not intended to replace or initiate professional diagnosis or treatment.

Today’s world is full of such overwhelm and challenges for our young people.  The expectancy of academic school, disruption in the home life, and the pressure of peers can bring forth fear and high anxiety, making the world seem like a tough and scary place. A session with the horses in a supportive, non-judgmental, safe haven environment can help provide take-home tools to use in everyday situations to help our young cope. A typical session may include observing the herd, how our body language affects the horses, tuning into nature/environment, grooming, horse leading, and relational-based horsemanship skills. Great for building confidence!  My horses are not started under saddle so no riding involved.

Equine-assisted counselling (EAC) is a bit different from equine therapy (like hippotherapy). Instead of focusing mainly on physical development through riding, EAC works together with interactions with horses and other animals, on the ground, as a therapeutic tool for emotional, behavioural, and psychological growth.

The benefits can include:

1. Emotional Benefits

• Improved self-esteem: Working successfully with such a large, sensitive animal gives a sense of capability and pride.
• Emotional regulation: Horses mirror human emotions — if a youth is anxious, the horse becomes unsettled, teaching awareness and calming strategies.
• Safe emotional expression: Many young people find it easier to express feelings in the presence of animals than with adults alone.

2. Social Benefits

• Relationship skills: Building trust with a horse models how to develop trust with people.
• Communication practice: The youth learns to use clear, consistent cues (gestures, voice, or body posture) — which can strengthen both verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Teamwork: Sessions often involve cooperation with counsellors, peers, or family, encouraging social interaction.

3. Behavioural Benefits

• Responsibility and routine: Feeding, grooming, or leading a horse reinforces accountability and consistency.
• Impulse control: Horses don’t respond well to sudden or aggressive movements, so the youth learns patience and calmness.
• Problem-solving and resilience: If a horse doesn’t immediately follow, the youth must try new approaches without giving up.

4. Cognitive Benefits

• Focus and attention: Horses require presence and attentiveness, strengthening concentration.
• Sequencing and planning: Caring for and working with a horse involves structured steps, helping with executive function.
• Real-world learning: Abstract concepts like empathy, boundaries, or respect become concrete through horse interaction.

5. Therapeutic Relationship

• Non-judgmental support: Horses don’t care about developmental delays; they respond to authenticity, which helps the youth feel accepted.
• Counsellor as guide: The therapist works together with the horse–youth interactions to explore themes like trust, confidence, relationships, or coping strategies.
• Sense of calm and grounding: Being outdoors and with horses often reduces stress and anxiety, making therapy more accessible.

In summary: Animal-assisted therapies can help by supporting emotional growth, social skills, self-awareness, and resilience, all within a safe, motivating, and non-judgmental environment.

Equine Assisted Therapy, can be a beneficial treatment for individuals who have experienced sexual trauma. The therapeutic relationship with horses, combined with the rhythmic movement of riding, can help address emotional and physical trauma, improve self-esteem, and promote a sense of empowerment. 

How it Works:

• Sensory Stimulation:
  The rhythmic movement of the horse’s gait mimics human walking patterns, providing sensory input that can help regulate the nervous system and improve body awareness. 
  
• Emotional Regulation:
  Horses are highly attuned to human emotions and can reflect back a person’s emotional state, providing a safe space for individuals to process and express their feelings. 
  
• Building Trust and Connection:
  The interaction with a horse can help individuals rebuild trust and develop a sense of connection, which can be challenging after experiencing trauma. 
  
• Empowerment and Control:
  Learning to guide and control a large animal like a horse can help individuals regain a sense of agency and control over their bodies and lives. 
  
• Physical Benefits:
  Riding can improve posture, balance, coordination, and muscle strength, which can be beneficial for physical recovery from trauma. 
  
  

Specific Benefits for Sexual Trauma Survivors:

• Addressing Trauma Symptoms:
  Equine assisted therapy can help reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, which are common in individuals who have experienced sexual trauma. 
  
• Rebuilding Self-Esteem and Confidence:
  The experience of success in interacting with the horse can boost self-esteem and confidence. 
  
• Improving Body Awareness and Self-Compassion:
  By connecting with their bodies through movement and interaction with the horse, individuals can develop a greater sense of body awareness and self-compassion. 
  
• Fostering a Sense of Safety and Security:
  The presence of the horse and the therapeutic relationship can create a safe and supportive environment for processing trauma. 
  
• Developing Coping Mechanisms:
  The therapeutic process can help individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with difficult emotions and situations. 
  
  

In conclusion, equine assisted therapy offers a unique and potentially powerful approach to healing from sexual trauma by combining the physical and emotional benefits of movement with the therapeutic relationship with horse.

Please note: my horses are in training at present and this service will be provided soon.

Movement therapy on horseback, also known as hippotherapy, is a type of physical, occupational, and speech therapy that uses the movement of a horse to improve physical and mental functioning. It is not the same as therapeutic horseback riding, where the focus is on learning riding skills. Instead, hippotherapy utilizes the horse’s gait and movement to provide sensory and motor input, stimulating the rider’s muscles and nervous system. This can lead to improvements in balance, coordination, strength, posture, and overall motor skills. 

How it works:

• Sensory and Motor Input:
  The rhythmic, three-dimensional movement of the horse mimics the natural walking motion of a human, providing a unique sensory experience for the rider. 
• Muscle Activation:
  The rider must make constant adjustments to maintain balance and posture on the horse, which strengthens and engages various muscles, including core muscles. 
• Neurological Stimulation:
  The movement of the horse can stimulate the nervous system, potentially improving motor control and coordination. 
• Therapist-Guided:
  A licensed physical therapist works with the rider and horse to tailor the session to the individual’s needs and goals. 
• Not Just Riding:
  While the rider is on horseback, the focus is on the therapeutic benefits of the horse’s movement, rather than learning specific riding techniques. 
  

Who benefits?

Hippotherapy can be beneficial for individuals with a range of conditions, including: 

• Cerebral palsy
• Down syndrome
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Developmental delays
• Sensory processing disorders
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Stroke
• Multiple sclerosis
• Other physical and neurological conditions that affect movement and coordination

In essence, hippotherapy is a specialized therapy that leverages the unique movement of a horse to help individuals achieve physical and cognitive improvements in a fun and engaging way. 

Research shows that clients who participate in equine assisted therapy can experience physical, emotional and psychological rewards. The horses working walk mimics the human walk, therefore providing improvement in flexibility, balance and muscle strength and on an emotional level the relationships formed with the team (horses and volunteers) provide increased confidence, patience and self-esteem. The horse possesses motor and emotional, neuro-sensitive stimulation qualities never equaled by a machine and offers 110 multidimensional movements by impulsion every minute. No therapist, no matter how motivated or talented, can compete with this quality stimulation. The client is lead by a horse leader and does not influence the horse but rather the movement of the horse stimulates postural and muscular reactions.  A doctors or physio referral is required.

Please note: my horses are in training at present and this service will be provided soon.