WHAT you will learn

While each session is adapted to the needs of individual participants, you can expect to cover the below topics:

Week 1: Regulation and ‘The Calm State’. Horses live in the present and process their experiences moment to moment. They can teach us how to feel our feelings, take a big breath out, doing what they need to do and then ‘return to grazing’ (The Calm State).

Week 2: Awareness. Horses are experts in awareness of the self and the environment (they are prey animals so have evolved to use their awareness to keep themselves and their herd safe). This session focuses awareness of the self, the other and the broader environment. We learn to tune into the information our bodies are giving us in the present moment (thoughts, body sensations, emotions), as well as information from the environment around us. We learn that our awareness is what keeps us safe, both with the horses and in our everyday life — awareness gives you choice to respond (rather than react).

Week 3: Boundaries. We tune in to your ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ (what feels OK, safe, tolerable etc. for you, and what doesn’t). Horses model various ways of setting and maintaining their own boundaries through their body language. We learn safe, healthy ways for you to identify and maintain your own boundaries (and become aware of the boundaries of other people, too).

Week 4: Feelings. We all have them; they are all ‘OK’ and welcome to be expressed here! We explore your feelings and emotions, with support from the herd of horses. We’ll look to the horses for examples of how they express their emotions.

Week 5: Healthy Relationships. Horses (who are healthy, happy and have their species-specific needs met) model safe and healthy ways of relating with each other. Together, we’ll explore the building blocks of healthy relationships (including trust, mutual respect and safety, communication skills, social understanding and healthy boundaries).

Week 6: Thoughts. We dive deeper into how the way we think can influence the way we feel and behave. We tune in to the horses’ awareness of our energy and body language; how they respond to the way we feel inside (often without saying a word!) We’ll identify thoughts that are kind, helpful and serve us well, as opposed to those that do not!

Week 7: Facing Life’s Challenges. You will be supported to reflect on your time with the herd, remembering how it felt to practice these skills in the paddock. We’ll look at ways you can use your new knowledge and skills in your everyday life.