OUR EQUINE PROGRAMMES
Equine Assisted Psycotherapy and Learning for Individuals, Families, Groups
& Organisations
At Equine Dynamics in rural Tauranga, we offer results-driven programmes where horses partner with clients as therapists and teachers. Our unique approach supports youth, families, schools, and organisations, offering transformative opportunities for growth, emotional wellbeing, and team development.
Through Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning, individuals and groups develop life skills such as communication, resilience, leadership, and emotional regulation. Our psychotherapy programmes offer a dynamic alternative to traditional talking therapy, focusing on personal development, growth, self-awareness, and mental wellbeing. Whether you're seeking personal transformation, family connection, or a stronger workplace team, our tailored programmes provide a sustainable toolbox for success.
Equine Assisted Pyschotherapy
Equine‑assisted psychotherapy offers a safe, experiential, clinically supported space for individuals, couples, and families to explore personal and relational challenges. Working alongside our therapy herd, clients engage in calm, ground‑based activities where horses respond naturally to emotional shifts, providing honest feedback that supports deeper insight, healthier patterns of relating, and meaningful change.
Equine Assisted Learning
Equine‑assisted learning offers a structured, experiential environment where individuals, groups, and teams develop self‑awareness, communication, confidence, and practical regulation skills through meaningful interaction with our herd. Horses respond honestly to human behaviour and emotional states, providing immediate feedback that supports growth in grounding, problem‑solving, teamwork, and relational understanding.
Programmes range from Children’s Emotional Regulation Series to immersive Team Building Events for organisations and community groups.
Funded ACC Sensitive Claim Groups
Our ACC therapy groups offer a gentle, supportive pathway for people navigating the impacts of trauma. Grounded in evidence‑based practice and the unique healing presence of horses, these small groups provide a safe space to rebuild confidence, connection, and emotional regulation.
Each programme is facilitated by qualified, trauma‑informed practitioners and designed to meet ACC Sensitive Claims requirements.
Experiential Wellbeing
Our unique equine experiences offer nurturing, experiential programmes designed to support wellbeing, connection, and collaborative learning alongside our therapy herd. These day‑style retreats and group events provide a peaceful space for individuals, community groups, and organisations to pause, reset, and engage in meaningful hands‑on activities with horses.
We offer Wellbeing Retreats, Customisable Group Programmes and Partnership Visits for Service Providers, these services foster clarity, connection, and a deeper understanding of how equine‑assisted approaches support regulation, resilience, mental wellbeing and recovery across a range of settings.
By partnering with horses, you'll learn valuable skills that will empower you long after you leave our arena.
HORSES HELPING OUR COMMUNITY THRIVE
Partnering With the Power of the Horse through Equine Assisted Therapy & Learning!
We believe every person has the potential to thrive, no matter the challenges they face. Through Equine Assisted Learning, we help youth, families, schools and organisations develop the life skills needed to overcome obstacles and create a brighter future. Our Equine Assisted Therapy sessions aim to improve and maintain mental health and wellbeing for individuals, couples and families.
BENEFITS OF OUR LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAMMES
Unrivalled Therapy & Learning Programmes For Wellbeing and Personal Growth
At Equine Dynamics, we offer transformative therapy and learning experiences that promote emotional and mental wellbeing, personal development, and life skills. Our programmes are designed to support individuals from aged 8 for Equine Assisted Learning and from 10 years old for Equine Assisted Therapy. Equine therapy develops essential social and emotional skills—fostering meaningful relationships, adapting to diverse environments, and navigating life’s transitions with confidence.
Through Equine-Assisted Therapy and Learning, participants engage in powerful, hands-on sessions where horses become trusted partners in growth. These interactions cultivate self-awareness, emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills in a safe non-judgmental setting.
Whether you're seeking therapeutic support, personal empowerment, or tools to thrive in everyday life, our horse-led approach equips you with a sustainable skillset for a successful future. The journey is as transformative as the destination—guided by empathy, connection, and the quiet wisdom of our horses.
Safe & Grounding
Horse guided therapy in a peaceful rural setting.
Build Confidence
Feel empowered to take on life's hurdles with confidence.
Grow, Heal & Thrive!
Develop health, wellbeing and, supportive relationships.
Toolbox of Life Skills
Leave with an armour of vital skills that apply directly to life.
Learn Alongside Horses
An outdoor classroom with a horse as a teacher!
Fun for the Family
Fun, meaningful learning for the whole family!
GET IN TOUCH
Let's Connect
If you have any questions, or if you are ready to book, please fill out this contact form and we will reply to you within 24-hours. Thank you!
DEDICATED TO HELPING OUR COMMUNITY
A Life-Changing Experience Designed To Help Communities Thrive
Through our Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning programmes, we offer a supportive environment where young people, families, teams and groups can build relationships, boost their confidence, challenge themselves, become more resilient and improve emotional and mental wellbeing. We’re dedicated to helping individuals, youth, families, as well as schools and organisations reach their full potential—and we’d love to welcome you into our herd.
Partner With Horses- your Therapists and Teachers
Horses have been helping humans throughout history—supporting us in war, farming, transportation, sport, and recreation. Today, they continue to support us through Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning, helping people grow, heal, and develop essential skills. As highly intuitive and non-judgmental animals, horses respond to body language and energy, making them powerful partners in building skills and achieving therapeutic goals.
Therapeutic Interaction
As clients engage with the horses, they begin to notice emotional patterns, relational dynamics, and ways of responding that are also present outside the session.
Clients have the opportunity to explore new ways of regulating, connecting, setting boundaries, and responding to challenges. These therapeutic shifts allow clients to leave sessions feeling grounded, resourced, and confident in navigating their own lives.
Guaranteed Outcome Every Time
Through our Fundamental Principles and Form of Delivery, we guarantee consistent, positive outcomes in our Equine Assisted Learning programmes. The skills learned don’t stay in the arena—they are directly applied to everyday life. Each objective is designed to help our participants develop vital life skills such as social, communication and leadership skills, empowering them for a brighter future. How do we know this works? Because it’s proven! See one the research studies here:
Equine dynamics is a wonderful program designed to help a student to learn and implement values and skills, which they can use to guide their behaviour and choices, as they develop and mature.
It is learning outside of the traditional classroom, and taught in a way where a student can apply what they learn with a horse, into their everyday life and situations.
Not only is the learning fun, but it is challenging, informative and rewarding. And you don’t need to know anything about horses before you begin.
It allows for a variety of situations where a student needs to feel, see, touch, hear think and read, along the way and also encourages them to manage their behaviour, their mood, and their intention, in order to reach a goal, with their horse as a valuable team member.
My favourite sessions usually involve watching my daughter manage difficulties, stopping to think, changing the plan that is not working, and asking for help and support when she needs it. Skills that will be imperative as she navigates the teen years.
The program has also been beneficial in helping our parent/daughter relationship develop and strengthen.
It has been wonderful watching my daughter have more awareness of herself (and of myself, as a parent), and see her become more independent and self-confident.
Leanne is a great communicator, has a great “staff” of horses, and is herself a brilliant coach and teacher.
This is a unique program, and one I would highly encourage others to attend.
- Suzy P
WHY WORK WITH HORSES?
Horses See Beneath What Words Conceal
Horses have incredibly keen senses and can immediately detect when our thoughts and emotions are out of sync. They can hear our heartbeat and respond to even the slightest changes within us. As facilitators, the horse allows us to identify moments when you are open to change, so we can help guide you through transformation. Simply put, the horse is the therapist and teacher—we, as facilitators, are there to offer explanation and support as you work through the solution. Working with horses creates real-time experiences that leave lasting memories, far more impactful than traditional learning or therapy situations. These experiences can be applied directly to life and are retained much longer.
Our Equine Assisted Therapy sessions follow a structured and research-backed approach to therapy. Our therapy programmes benefit individuals, children and teens, families, groups and teams to improve mental health, personal development, social and behavioural skills. Each session is tailored to the client’s unique needs, ensuring meaningful and lasting outcomes. Our professional and experienced counsellor, Susan Ricketts, can apply this model to a wide range of issues including:
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Trauma & PTSD
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Victims of violence
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Suicidal ideation & self-harm
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Difficulties with neurodiversity
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Addiction
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Eating disorders
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Emotional regulation
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Stress management
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Behavioral challenges
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Anger management
Our Equine Assisted Learning programmes help foster empathy and empowerment while also improving:
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Behavioural challenges
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Confidence
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Bullying issues
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Social skills
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Emotional wellbeing
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Communication skills
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Family dynamics
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Assertiveness
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Leadership skills
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Teamwork skills
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Soft skills for employment
We have been trained by the world renowned Equine Connection - The Academy of Equine Assisted Learning Inc, who certify all over the world through the Academy of Equine Assisted Learning BuildingBlock™ course. You will see Equine Connection instructors in the videos provided, these will give a better understanding of the value of our programs and workshops.
